PRVCA Explore Magazine PRVCA Explore PA 2020 | Page 19

In some cases even that can be confusing, considering that
motorhome makers are releasing their newest designs seemingly
earlier and earlier each year. Not to be outdone by the coach-
builder, some chassis makers may decide to skip a model year of
a certain chassis. Perhaps nothing changed in the design, making
moot the point of designating a new model year in the VIN. It’s
entirely possible they actually date that chassis one year ahead
of the current calendar year. The result would be a chassis one
year newer than the coach it is carrying.
Look at why a brand new motorhome may be equipped with
two-year-old tires. A tire manufacturer makes and dates a tire
according to the exact week and year of manufacture. That tire
may sit in their warehouse until it ships to a distributor. The
distributor may store it until a chassis builder orders a set and
builds a chassis. That chassis may sit at that first-stage builder
until it is sold to a motorhome maker. It may be awhile until
it rolls down the assembly line as they build the motorhome.
Then it sits at the final stage builder until a dealer orders that
motorhome. Once delivered to the dealer, it may sit yet again
on the sales lot until one of us comes along and plops down our
hard-earned discretionary dollars. I’ve actually road-tested a
brand new motorhome with four-year-old tires on it!
Under whose authority does the “official” manufactured date
ultimately fall? And does it really matter? Most experts feel it
does since a new motorhome officially licensed by the older
VIN date of the chassis builder becomes a less valuable coach in
terms of trade-in value, DMV license tabs and insurance costs.
It could have huge ramifications in the long term. In short, the
motorhome manufacturer holds the authority to designate the
official date on the MCO even though they are not required to
disclose the different dates. Four states however, (CA, MD, MI
and WI), require dealers to inform buyers of the differing dates.
But all states should rely on the year designated by the final
stage manufacturer, the coachbuilder for licensing and titling.
“
The United States Federal
Trade Commission has
determined that any given
chassis, dated a year or two
older than the motorhome,
is not considered unfair nor
is it considered a deceptive
trade practice.
”
Vehicle titling and registration can indeed become an issue if
you discover your local DMV remains adamant about using the
incomplete chassis VIN on the registration instead of a newer
model year designation as determined by the completed coach
manufacturer. Thankfully the RVIA can help. Contact their
Government Affairs Department at 703-620-6003 for assistance.
RVIA has also compiled a FAQ sheet discussing the topic of Split
Model Years for Motorhomes.
Ultimately, it is true that yes, differing years may, in some cases,
exist for the chassis and the motorhome itself, but understand-
ing how it happens is the first step in rectifying the situation if it
needs to be addressed. Not to be condoned nor condemned, it’s
just the nature of the beast. Hopefully this article sheds a little
light on this oftentimes-confusing issue. Remember, RVing is
more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle!
EXPLORE Pennsylvania 2020 | 19