mptjelgin Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Trailers and 5th wheels now must have a current inspection when sold. I wonder how that is enforced? I sold (traded in) my last trailer two years ago, with an inspection sticker that was about 10 years out of date. The dealer never gave it a look, but I suppose they put a fresh one on when they re-sold that trailer. Easy enough for them to do. Quote Mark & Teri 2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350 Mark & Teri's Travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreyandSusan Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Something to keep in mind... This past June 2013 in Texas, a law was passed to combine the annual safety inspection process into the annual registration process. This new law is not set to take effect until March 2015. (~ 1 year from now) Some important parts of the law as it was passed... There will only be one sticker- the Registration sticker. Before a vehicle registration can be renewed an inspection must be completed within the 90 days prior to the vehicle registration expiration. So, proof of safety inspection will be needed before registration renewal can be completed. This proof will be either from a database in which the inspection is submitted at the time of inspection or from the inspection report given at the time of the inspection. The law was passed June 2013. They are currently revising the affected portions of the transportation code as well as developing the procedures. So there are a lot of questions with few answers until these revisions are made and adopted. Some things to consider and make plans are multiple vehicle registration expirations. Trying to consolidate these so inspections can be done in a window of time when you are likely to be in the state. It has been possible to register for more than 1 year. So, if still available, then it may be an option to register for more than 1 year to see how this all works out. Options (advantages/disadvantages) will need to be considered depending on personal circumstances. The law has been passed but the procedures have not been developed so who knows how this will shake out. This change is something to keep in mind, be aware, and make plans to ease the potential issues of living on the road, especially if you are not in the state for an extended period of time. Quote Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreyandSusan Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) Disregard Edited January 25, 2014 by TreyandSusan Quote Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Well, that will certainly increase the number of folks getting their trailers inspected!! I had heard that this was possibly in the works but was unaware that it was a done deal. With a trailer and two different vehicles, all with registrations coming due on different months, I certainly hope that they introduce a way to get them all synced up for those of us who travel extensively. I suspect that we are such a tiny percentage of owners that we'll be very low on the priority list, but perhaps SKP's is already on the case. When I was a kid in high school, driving a POS car, my friends and I knew all of fly-by-night inspection stations that would just give you a sticker without actually checking your car. This new law should be a real shot-in-the-arm for those kinds of places... Quote Mark & Teri 2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350 Mark & Teri's Travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) Re: treyandsusan post #27. That could be a total problem even with your tow vehicle and motorhome if I understand it correctly. This sure is a time for some common sense. I wish I could believe that the reasons behind this had to do solely with safety. I have closed my and saying, "I wish I were back in Kansas." Edited January 25, 2014 by bigjim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 I would bet that a lot of people will be moving to SD or some other state and Escapees will lose a lot of business. Barb Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sushidog Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Wow, that sucks. Mr. Kirk had just about convinced me to declare Texas as my domicle, (I always wanted to be a Texan.) in spite of the extra costs involved, however with this bill, it's completely out of the question. I guess it's SD for sure now. Full-timer reguistration revenues will surely drop as people flee. The number of registered voters will dip too - a classic case of the law of unintended consequences. After reading the law it looks like they will be emission testing everyone now - and denying registration if your vehicle fails. I'm no lawyer, but that's the way I read it. Chip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 The issue with SD for ME is that there are no health insurance policies available there that will cover fulltimers that travel..... NONE. That may change in the future. OR, the TX law may be amended to account for people out of state. Personally, I'll wait and see..... Quote Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrschwarz Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 The issue with SD for ME is that there are no health insurance policies available there that will cover fulltimers that travel..... NONE. That may change in the future. OR, the TX law may be amended to account for people out of state. Personally, I'll wait and see..... I am in the same boat as you. The Texas legislature has never been famous for getting things right the first time. Let's see what happens in the next year. Perhaps a contact with state legislators that represent Polk County might be in order. They could stand to lose a lot of constituants. I plan to contact them. Quote Michael 2017 Allegro Bus 45OPP Cummins ISL 450 Visit us at schwarz.org! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrschwarz Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) Here is where you can find the legislators for Polk County: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/County.aspx?CountyCode=373&CountyName=Polk Here is the message I sent to both of them: I just read a study that was produced in the state and learned about the new law passed by the legislature requiring a vehicle inspection within 90 days before a registration sticker would be issued. As someone who lives in an RV full time and only returns to the state occasionally, I was wondering what consideration was given for people like me who cannot always return to the state every time one of their vehicle's registration needs to be renewed. I would imagine someone serving in the military at an out of state post would have the same question.As you must know, the region that you represent has a lot of people in the same situation as me. I am a member of an organization that represents them. I am not in a leadership position, but I participate in an internet forum with many others in the same situation. I am sure your answer would be of great interest to all. Edited January 26, 2014 by mrschwarz Quote Michael 2017 Allegro Bus 45OPP Cummins ISL 450 Visit us at schwarz.org! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Does anyone know if Escapees is involved in clarifying this bill? I would hope so. The ramification of this - if it goes through and is enforced as I understand it - is that I will no longer be able to use TX as a domicile. Since the ability to return physically to TX each year on THEIR schedule is not there. But that leaves few states that are rational. SD is out. FL is out, because of our truck. Not may state governments give ANY thought to those outside the "norm". This is just another example of it. Quote Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 We will wait and see how this plays out like some of the others here. I can't imagine how many construction companies operate out of Texas and the vehicles never come back in state. I just don't see those outfits running the vehicles back to the state for a sticker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 I suspect that this may be changed somewhat before it is a done deal but you never know. I remember the trailer tax deal several years back that they screwed up but later corrected. Early input to legislators may help them get this closer to right the first time I hope. I see big problems if they keep on this tac and more negative for state revenue than positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrschwarz Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Based on my reading, one of the new 'features' of the law is that the state collects their fee for inspection when registration is paid. If they figure out a way to have out of state vehicles avoid inspection, the state still gets to collect its fee. Quote Michael 2017 Allegro Bus 45OPP Cummins ISL 450 Visit us at schwarz.org! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 I sent a report on this topic asking the admins to forward it to the front office for an official reply. Quote First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffMan Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 How many TX registered voters list Escapees as their address? Info should be available from Supv of elections & is public domain. Would have added punch to MrShwarz's letter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreyandSusan Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) There is a provision for not being in the state but who knows what that means in practice when the procedures are written... Sec. 548.103. EXTENDED INSPECTION PERIOD FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. The department may extend the time within which the resident owner of a vehicle that is not in this state when an inspection is required must obtain a vehicle [an] inspection report [certificate] in this state. Edited January 26, 2014 by TreyandSusan Quote Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escapees Webmaster Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Posting on behalf of Teresa Moore - We are aware of this issue and are working with authorities. Further updates will be distributed as information is received. Thanks. Teresa Quote -Forum Administrator- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 This is interesting. We are registered in Walker County as we bought land there for a home base when out of work. No house just hookups. Our mail is with Escapees though as we are seldom there. I travel out of state when work is more profitable. One big reason for going with Texas was to get away from hassles with inspection/registration. NC was terrible. But they had no rv inspection. I have driven 1200 miles just to get vehicle inspection with NC. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffMan Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Florida = no vehicle inspection, no Income Tax, no estate tax, retiree friendly, no brainer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 and no Escapees Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newt Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 What state is best really depends on "your" situation and how you travel. We probably would have gone with SD. However, it's not on the way to anywhere we regularly go. Being native Texans and being in Texas regularly, Texas was a no brainer for us. Newt Quote 2012 HitchHiker Discover America 345 LKSB 2009 Dodge/Cummins LIVINGSTON TX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I have never had our camper in Florida. Wages low for us there. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffMan Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Why can't Florida residents join Escapees? PS: Don't tell all those residents at the Escapees Park in Bushnell, FL 33513; 352-793-1333; GPS Location: N 28 6018/W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) Why can't Florida residents join Escapees? Who told you that FL residents can't be members of Escapees? Some years ago there was an article on the subject of home states of Escapee members in their magazine and if I remember correctly there were no states that didn't have at least one or two members....... Edited January 27, 2014 by Kirk Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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