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Campers & Travel Trailers
Overview
Image of a travel trailer
This page provides information about campers and recreational travel trailers.
 
Use the links below to go directly to any section:

Camper Definition
A camper is a structure that:
  • Has a floor;
  • Is designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle;
  • Is not permanently attached to a motor vehicle upon which it is mounted;
  • Is designed to provide facilities for human habitation (permanent sleeping and cooking facilities);
  • Is 6 feet or more in overall length;
  • Is 5.5 feet or more in height from floor to ceiling at any point; and
  • Has no more than one axle designed to support a portion of the weight of the camper.
Campers are measured from the extreme front to the extreme rear of the camper body. Any fraction of a foot in length is rounded down to the nearest foot.
 
A camper permanently attached to a pickup or other motorized vehicle is registered as a motor home.
 
The camper and travel trailer fee chart will help you to determine the correct fee. Campers and trailers are registered for a two-year period.

Travel Trailer Definition
A camper permanently mounted on a trailer is registered as a travel trailer.
 
A travel trailer is designed to provide facilities for human habitation (permanent sleeping and cooking facilities). Travel trailers are not used for commercial or business purposes. A travel trailer is any of the following that is 8.5 feet wide or less:
  • Recreational vehicle
  • Prefabricated structure
The width of 8.5 feet is measured when any expansion sides or “tipouts” are in the usual travel position. The length is measured from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer body, not including the spare tire. A travel trailer may not exceed 45 feet in length.  If the trailer exceeds 45 feet in length, it cannot be registered.
 
The camper and travel trailer fee chart will help you to determine the correct fee. Campers and travel trailers are registered for a two-year period.

Tent Trailers
Tent trailers are registered in the same manner as travel trailers (see above). Tent trailers are measured by overall length when folded for travel and any fraction of a foot in length is rounded down to the nearest foot.

Registration & Title
Apply
Fees

License Plates
The standard issue license plate for campers and travel trailers has a yellow background with blue letters and numbers. Campers may also have a custom plate, while travel trailers may have a custom plate or a disabled veteran plate. Regradless of the plate type, a single plate is issued and is required to be displayed on the rear of the trailer or camper.

Lapsed Registration
If you use your camper or travel trailer only infrequently and have let the registration lapse, you do not have to pay "back fees” when you renew the registration.  However, when you re-register, you may not receive two full years of registration because the month and day of expiration do not change.  See the camper and travel trailer fee chart to determine the correct fee.  Another option for infrequent users is to purchase trip permits.

Related Information
Additional information that may be relevant includes:

 
Page updated: September 24, 2009

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