How is the RV year determined?

[ready2travel]

We are currently looking at a Thor Citation 24ST (Class C).
The dealer has it listed as a 2017. The VIN number comes up as a 2015 Sprinter.

Is this considered a 2015 or 2017 RV?

[Bob Denman]

2017: they use the model year for the completed coach.

[ducksface]

It's potentially a 2015 chassis and a 2017 body.
The title will tell you which one your particular state recognizes as the year.
The body builder will decide the model year as far as equipment and their responsibility.


You'll get varying stories in this post.
It's the title, it's the state.
It's not my state. It's not my opinion...its state and federal law.

The business office at the dealership can show you the title or reasonable facsimile thereof.
If they won't take this miniscule amount of time, find a different dealer.

A 2015 chassis cannot be a 2017, federal laws on emission and safety and recall disallows such, and vice versa.

[ready2travel]

Thank you again for the help.
It was a little confusing that the VIN history report shows a 2015, but the dealer (and title) lists 2017.

[taylorbob1]

By the way...
The 24ST floorplan is a very preferred layout. Very similar to the Vegas/Axis 24.1
That is, you can sleep without extending a slide.

Hope it works out for you!

[Hooligan2]

The law is very specific. Not up to the individual State. The RVIA has a document to explain, Federal Law provides that the Model year is assigned by the Final Stage Manufacturer. (Thor, Winnie, etc) Contact RVIA if State does not comply with the Federal Law..

What information is used by the state DMV offices to register motorhomes?
When a consumer has a new motorhome registered for the first time, the state DMV will use both the VIN assigned by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer and the model year and make assigned by the final stagemotorhome manufacturer for the vehicle registration. All states should title motorhomes using the model year assigned by the final stage motorhome manufacturer.

RVIA Document here. https://www.sporttruckrv.com/fckimages/pdf/model.pdf

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Hooligan2

The law is very specific. Not up to the individual State. The RVIA has a document to explain, Federal Law provides that the Model year is assigned by the Final Stage Manufacturer. (Thor, Winnie, etc) Contact RVIA if State does not comply with the Federal Law..

What information is used by the state DMV offices to register motorhomes?
When a consumer has a new motorhome registered for the first time, the state DMV will use both the VIN assigned by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer and the model year and make assigned by the final stagemotorhome manufacturer for the vehicle registration. All states should title motorhomes using the model year assigned by the final stage motorhome manufacturer.

RVIA Document here. https://www.sporttruckrv.com/fckimages/pdf/model.pdf

RVIA is an industry association and does not in any way shape or form dictate federal or state laws. They make recommendations and set standards for the manufacture of motorhomes and other RVs. RVIA represents the RV industry and not the government or consumers.

Individual states determine whether they use the RV model year or the VIN model year. Insurance companies also determine which model year they use and it is normally the year that the state uses for the title.

[Hooligan2]

In the link, RVIA is explaining the applicable Federal Law on vehicles manufactured in more than one stage.

According to federal law, at 49 CFR 565.13(a), a vehicle manufactured in more than one stage must have a Vehicle Identification Number (“VIN”) assigned to it by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer. One character position in the VIN sequence identifies the model year of the incomplete vehicle.
Once it is assigned, the VIN stays with the incomplete vehicle when it is sold to the motorhome manufacturer.
Final stage motorhome manufacturers continue to use the VIN assigned by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer. Motorhome manufacturers also provide MSO (Manufacturers Certificate of Origin) documents with their motorhomes when they are shipped to dealers. The model year of the completed motorhome, which is determined by the motorhome manufacturer, appears on this MSO document. The State uses the MSO to provide the Title...