2015 AI registered as 2014

[gambita]

I purchased this August a 2015 interstate based on 2014 mercedes sprinter chasis.
I just noticed on the registration paper , DMV registered it as 2014 model.
Anybody had similar experience with this and what did you do to correct the model year.
Thanks

[Al - K4GLU]

It is correct. The chassis model year is the one that counts.

[gambita]

My RV insurance record, it is a 2015 model.
Just in case an accident happen ie total loss, i am worried my insurance will appraise it as 2014 , not 2015

[m.hony]

All (or most/many)RV conversions are done the same way. It is common. Insurance companies are surely aware of it.
You are registering a 2014 Mercedes.
You are insuring a 2015 Airstream.

[gambita]

Ok thanks

[Colonial Airstream]

Get the title fixed and corrected. If you ever sell or trade it in the future, it cannot be sold as a 2015, therefore it will be worth less.

[Lily&Me]

I just got the license renewal on mine today.

It has always been registered as a 2005, as that is the Sprinter Chassis year, although is a 2006 Interstate......and I think that's the way it's done.

Your purchase paperwork verifies the Airstream model year.


Maggie

[ben322]

We had this happen on our first Roadtrek. When I sold it, I was explaining how it was actually a year newer. The problem is the DMV/MVA staff does not understand how to register RV's and will always defer to the chassis VIN. Since then, I go to a title service that charges a nominal fee so our last Roadtrek and our Interstate are registered to the correct build year.

Funny thing that our first Roadtrek had no problem being insured by USAA but we've since learned that they don't insure RV's and farm it out to Progressive who we insure the Interstate with now.

[Ron_CA]

Ours is registered as a 2015

[Protagonist]

My 2012 Interstate is on a 2011 Sprinter. I got a knowledgeable DMV clerk, who registered it as a 2012 Interstate, using the 2011 Mercedes VIN. But I actually got passed from clerk to clerk for a while first, because most of them had no clue how to handle a vehicle with TWO Manufacturer's Certificates of Origin.

[Lily&Me]

Well, ours has been this way 7 1/2 years.


Maggie

[Sebtown]

Mine is a 2006 chassis registered as a 2007 Interstate. This should create lots of confusion if I ever go to sell it as the year over year chassis changes were significant.

[Lily&Me]

Thinking about this some more last night.....my registration is for the Dodge Sprinter chassis, which made sense at the time and still does.

I have registration information, specifications, etc. (not sure what you call them), received at the time of purchase, in separate packets, for the Sprinter and for the Airstream Interstate.

I can't fathom how Illinois DMV registration changes what I have or what it would be should I ever sell........a 2006 Airstream Interstate on a 2005 Dodge Sprinter chassis.



I have both VIN numbers recorded and accessible for service providers, sometimes needing one or the other, and sometimes both.


Maggie

[xrvr]

When I owned an IS, the dealer told me it would be registered as an AS. The dmv could not do that even with the proper paperwork from AS and the dealer. The dealer here eventually I think straightened all of this out, but by then I had traded it in. Should be registered as an AS. Large mh are not registered by their chassis numbers. Jim

[Lily&Me]

Tell me why it should be, for a cogent argument to DMV?

Please?


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Large motorhomes are purpose-built as motorhomes, aren't they?, rather than a Sprinter Van converted to a small motorhome?

Does this make a difference?


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

Large motorhomes are purpose-built as motorhomes, aren't they?, rather than a Sprinter Van converted to a small motorhome?

The RV manufacturer still buys the bus chassis and drivetrain from an automotive manufacturer and only does the coachwork on top of it.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

The RV manufacturer still buys the bus chassis and drivetrain from an automotive manufacturer and only does the coachwork on top of it.

But something like a Freightliner Class A chassis is not a complete drivable vehicle until the motor home is complete. An Interstate starts as a complete Sprinter 3500 cargo van and is the converted by Airstream by adding items onto the van.


- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

But something like a Freightliner Class A chassis is not a complete drivable vehicle until the motor home is complete. An Interstate starts as a complete Sprinter 3500 cargo van and is the converted by Airstream by adding items onto the van.

Sprinter also sells chassis/drivetrain (for mini-class A) and cab/chassis (for Class C) to Winnebago. Since the Engine has a VIN on it, even an incomplete vehicle has its own Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.

[Gnorts]

It matters not if the chassis is not road-ready when it's purchased by an RV manufacturer. What matters is the VIN is issued by the chassis manufacturer in the case of a Class A or C, or the base van maker if it's a Class B. The only thing the DMV has to go on is usually the VIN. How they choose to describe the vehicle is up to each individual state.

We bought our 2005 Airstream Westfalia in Washington, and that's what it said on the title. When we re-titled it in Oregon, it became a 2004 Dodge.

Regarding resale, the model year of the RV is what's important, not what the DMV has decided to call it. You know the model year, and you won't be acting unethically by stating it when you advertise your rig for sale. If the potential buyer raises the issue, he's just expressing his ignorance about how the RV industry works. You'll just smile and 'splain it to him...

In fact, here's another interesting anomaly. Our Flying Cloud is titled as a 2012, but it has the little "80 Years" badge on it - but wait, wasn't that the 2011 model year? But the VIN says it's a 2012. Oh well...doesn't bother me...