Registering HDT as Motorhome in Montana

8/2/2015

Registering HDT as Motorhome in Montana

Wrknrvr
04 August 2009
01:28 PM I need help!  Has anyone registered an HDT as a motorhome in Montana?  I am working on what is needed physically inside to meet qualifications but I am finding resistance from the local DOT office in Kalispell, Montana.  Does anyone know of a more receptive DOT office?  What did you do to meet the ANSI qualification as outlined on the motorhome inspection certificate for Montana?  Did you have to take it to a certified dealer?  Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Frustrated in Montana, Vern and Chris 10-9jc
04 August 2009
01:31 PM Resource Guide - State Listing Of HDT Registrations has some MT info.

Note Pipe's comments about Richland County for "easy".
JC Growin' Up
04 August 2009
03:15 PM Vern,
I got the physical MH requirements from Bennett Law.  They sent me the forms I would need to have completed and signed.  After making the modifications needed, I took the inspection form (don't remember the form number) and the HDT/MH to the local DMV (I was in Delaware at the time) where I, with hat in hand, ask if they could take a look at my MH and sign off that it had the required modifications and met the requirements for a MT MH.  He grumbled a bit about they didn't usually do that sort of thing but signed it anyway and MT accepted it.  I now have a MT title that reads CH which is the designations for MH in MT.  I hope this and the other links work for you.
George Toterman
04 August 2009
06:11 PM Vern
It might be better if you did not go to Montana to have it done.  I just moved my 610 over to Montana, of course it was already an RV in DE but it didn't matter.  I had an official look at it( Friend that is an environmental officer, he had a badge)signed off on the form and it was all but done.  Don't forget to put the length in the right little block or they will throw it back.  It's that easy!!  I now have everything switched over to Montana and who knows, I might just be a full timer one of these days!!  LOL
David D K.
04 August 2009
10:07 PM Last I knew, the form is MV95 for the inspection itself, no updates have been posted on the Montana DOJ website referring to it being revised etc.  It's been a few years since I've had to deal with it though.  (2006ish)
Montana Motor Home Inspection Certificate
Montana Application for Certificate of Title for a Vessel

You will need BOTH forms linked above for new title transfers into the state.  Montana also is anal about notarized title transfers.  Montana titles require notary signatures

Montana Vehicle Title and Registration

You don't need to use a lawyer, although the services that Bennett Law offers are well worth the money.  Just staying out of the local county treasurer's office is worth it to me.  None of the offices I dealt with in Montana are going to be helpful to this unless you have local facial recognition with the staff, which Bennett's filing clerks have plenty of in Missoula.

I have 8 titled vehicles in the state of Montana, including our MH conversion but I'm also a resident of MT including voting.

"> BENNETT LAW OFFICE P.C.
Attorneys At Law
135 W. Main Street, Missoula, MT 59802
P.O. Box 7967, Missoula, MT 59807
Tel: 866.543.5803 Fax: 888.543.5804
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marvmarcy
04 August 2009
10:34 PM David
Vern IS in MT.  I talked with him about two weeks ago in Ronan - he spotted our rig and pulled in with his Volvo.

Vern
Dave is right about the MV95 form.  I filled it out to get my tag.  You are right that the local MT DMV folks are difficult, but they have to comply with the law.  MT law allows completion of the MV95, signed by a LEO.  Most LEOs are agreeable because they would prefer to see a capable truck towing a big fiver than a pickup.  The form allows you to have 4 of 5 or 6 things to be considered a custom RV (coach).  I had the factory dual HVAC (separate cab and sleeper units) and sleeping accommodations (sleeper bunk), so I added shore power, a Honda portable 2KW genset, and a 1KW inverter to have stand-alone power and also added a self contained portable toilet from Camping World.  I took the truck to the local court house in Polson two summers ago and got a deputy sheriff to inspect.  I showed him all the stuff and explained why it conformed, and he thought it was a great idea.  The local tag office gave me flack, but had to take the forms.  They told me I wouldn't get a title or be able to renew the tag, but that was just hot air.  I got a title for a coach and the registration renewal this summer says custom recreation vehicle (coach).  The tag is about $130/year.

You have to be a legal resident of MT and nowhere else, unless you go through the LLC process.  That means a property tax receipt, rental receipt or utility bill in MT, and a physical address (not a mail box or forwarding service).  You must also be registered to vote, have a MT drivers license and are subject to jury duty.
I'll help you if I can.
Marv Wrknrvr
05 August 2009
08:42 AM Thanks everyone for your suggestions on this subject.

I am trying to do this with MT corporate services in Helena Mt.  I am here working as a mobile RV tech for myself and are planning on returning next year to work.  So It will be registered under an LLC.

The first problem is if it is over 26000 lbs. the form says it does not qualify as a motor home.  Then it says see section 67-1-134[1].  This sections says if it is used only for personal use then it does qualify for a motor home.
This is easy to do.

Then the next problem is it has to meet ANSI/A119.2 if not originally manufactured as a motorhome.  Marve if you have the name of the officer that signed for you it might help with having someone who has done this before.  In Kalispell they did say to call and make an appointment so maybe I could ask for the same person.

If you look for the ANSI/A119.2, it no longer exist.  It was replaced with ANSI/A1192.  I called the RVIA office in Virginia to find out what was going on and they explained the change.

I will have 4 of the five things it needs to qualify as a motor home and you only need 4.  It comes down to finding someone that signs for the change. The person in charge here in Kalispell was not very responsive to my suggestion.
Thanks everyone for the help. D K.
05 August 2009
08:55 AM The 26,000 lb. section of the form can be left blank, it is out of date.  I was informed of this by state DOT in MT who looked into the issue and DMV in Deerlodge.  The contradictory reference for commercial verses private is why it is no longer valid, since Montana no longer allows MH plates on anything used for hire/profit, just truck plates.
etc.

FWIW, Bennett's will eliminate any issues you are having, they have excellent working relations with their DMV.  Please do NOT make a point in trying to save the next person with what you feel is just a signature to correct things.  MT does allow conversions still, the process is easy enough to do, despite any confusion you might be dealing with personally.  The more attention their agents and legislature receive over this, the more they want to revise EVERYTHING that they read.  Bottom line, complete your forms and leave it be.

Any LEO can sign off your form work, this includes any state, federal, military etc.  The ANSI codes are out of date and not worth wasting your time on to find.  Check off the items you have and you're done. Motor31
07 August 2009
10:05 PM We did the conversion of ours in 04.  I use Bennett and have been very happy with their service and advice.  They are very quick and easy to talk to.

Even though I was a retired LEO I still had a brother Officer do the sign off on the conversion.  I faxed the form in and 48 hours later I had plates in hand.  When I picked the truck up I already had a Montana drive out tag in hand for the trip home thanks to Bennett's office.  The process is easy and simple.  I have no regrets in doing it this way and it has saved me TONS of money in sales tax and registration fees. 1Rod
13 April 2010
10:51 AM Just got off the phone with a gal at Bennett's.  Small world, we worked at the same hospital in Hawaii at the same time, many years ago.  Nice remembering.  Will be getting info and how it will pertain to me.  Will have some thinking to do.
Rod 10-9jc
13 April 2010
01:35 PM Rod
Check *carefully* on how the state/s where you will be located - treat the LLC.

Your other thread about Iowa - sounds very similar to the way CA looks at the 5th wheel hitch.  Likewise, CA doesn't look favorably at LLCs for MHs.  (Doesn't mean there aren't any, LOL!)

A few years ago, I checked into LLCs and had (IMO) was better, or at least more thorough, info from a different attorney in MT.  (See the resource guide)  They even sent updates several months later when the law/s were modified in my home state.

Bottom line: You're getting legal information/advice for/about the LLC in other states - but not legal *representation* anywhere except MT.

IMO - If the LLC is a serious consideration, calling a second source of MT LLCs would be worthwhile (your $$ involved) - and don't "let-on" you have also talked to Bennett's.  Start off "cold turkey" with your laundry list of questions.  There are several MT firms providing the service - listings can be found in the ad sections of Trailer Life or MH magazines, etc.
JC

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