Purchasing Used?

[Sam]

Hello,

New to the board. I have been reading for a while but this is my first post. I am going to go look at a used FWC and if it's right I'll bring it home. I am wondering if there is any tittle or other DMV paperwork for these types of camper. What kind of paperwork if any should I be getting with a used camper, or are these things just sold with a bill of sale?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[paclow]

Seems odd but I purchased my used hawk with an overnight personal check on a camper sight unseen.....Kinda crazy but if you want a good used FWC you gotta be ready to move!

F.Y.I. I never purchased a license or had a bill of sale. Probably would be prudent to do so in hindsight...

Good luck!

 

[jimjxsn]

Each State varies

I just bought my Ranger in December from a guy in Idaho. I asked for a Bill of Sale specifying the VIN/Serial number.

He had just moved from California and said that there was no title or license/registration in California. He did have to register it in Idaho as a trailer. I called the DMV here in Colorado and they said registration was not required here.

Usually if your state requires registration and title, you can apply for one coming from out of state. For example, Colorado licenses small utility trailers but some states don’t. On the Co DMV website, you can download the form to apply for a title for a trailer brought in from out of state (or a home built).

I would contact your local DMV and ask.

 

[chnlisle]

The State of Washington treats campers as vehicles and thus they need to be registered there but not in California where I live.
Jay

 

[benburnett]

registering campers

Sam,

Your DMV will tell you if you need to register the camper or not. Be specific when you talk to them though. Make sure they understand that the camper goes in the back of the truck and has no wheels on it. I have run across issues with DMV and insurance companies that didn't understand this.

Most states just consider the camper a shell so to speak because it has no wheels. The same goes for a lot of insurance companies.

The easiest way to register the camper if you have to is to get the Statement of Origin with the camper. If it was built in my time at FWC they should have a copy of the Statement of Origin. We kept a copy of all paperwork on all customers from the receipt for the camper, the warranty, the statement of origin and any correspondence that we had with the customer over time.

If your unable to come up with that, the only other way I know to register the camper is to just get a form from DMV for the purpose. Some DMV's will require you to actually bring the camper to them for an inspection also.

The last time that I checked there were only 5 states that required registration of the campers. That was a few years ago though and I have not checked lately to see if any others joined in on that one.

Sincerely,

Ben
www.allterraincampers.com

 

[Sam]

Thanks, one question for Ben

Thanks for the replies, I'll give DMV a call (by the way I am in California)

I have read the section on camper fit on the FWC web site. The one I am looking at is a 1989, the FWC site says 1990 and newer should fit my truck (2000 GMC) so it seems as though the 1989 hould not fit. I have asked the guy who owns the camper to measure the width where the camper sits in the tailgate opening but he just does not seem to get it, he keeps saying it's just over 50" wich makes no sence. I have given up trying to explain to him how to measure the camper so I guess I will go for a drive and measure it myself.

Ben is 1989 one of yours? Did you make some campers late in 89 that were 60" wide to fit newer trucks?

Thanks again,
Sam

 

[benburnett]

camper fit

Sam,

Since you live in California you won't have to register the camper.

If the fellow is telling you that the camper is just over 50", the actual measurement that he is probably getting is around 51 1/4". This would make the camper a Ranger or Ranger II model. These were made for the smaller trucks. If you call him and ask for the measurement of the width of the camper that is above the rails of the truck (as in the overall width of the camper) it should be 69". The full size camper from that era would be 80" overall width.

In 1989 if my memory is correct they were still building the camper 64" wide at the tailgate. The full size trucks started to change in the 90's. Jack Billings owned the company in 1989 and there is almost no paperwork from that era.

I will ask Jeff about when the changes came about to give you a better idea of what year you can look for. He will be in later this morning.

Sincerely,

Ben
www.allterraincampers.com

 

[jimjxsn]

Sam,
If it turns out that waht you are looking at is a Ranger, you might check out the chnlisle's thread about his new truck.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218&page=3

You can fit the smaller campers on a full size truck but you have to be concerned with bed rail height and cab height. The nice thing about the smaller campers on a larger truck is that they don't everhang the sides but yuou give up some room...

 

[benburnett]

camper width

Sam,

Talked to Jeff and the FWC camper was actually changed from 64" across the back to 60" in 1988.

So it sounds like you want to find an 88 or newer if you are looking for one for a full size truck.

If you get a great deal on an older one we can always change out the floor pack of the camper so that it will fit a newer truck. Just give us a call sometime and I can explain how that is done and the cost of it.

Sincerely,

Ben
www.allterraincameprs.com

 

[Sam]

Thanks for all the replies. I went to see the camper yesterday and much to my suprise found that it was indeed 60" accross the back, so I brought it home. It is by no means perfect, but with some work should do the job for a while. Ben thank you again for the info, and I will be in touch on buying some parts.

Many more questions to follow.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Star152]

Ca. REg

Sam Ben is correct no reg in Califorina. The most imporntant thing is to make sure the camper has its ID plate. This is so you can check to see if the camper is stolen.......and or if your camper or truck are stolen you can give the data to the police to enter in the the state stolen system. This makes it easer to recover your property.

 

[benburnett]

used camper

Glad to hear you found one that will work for you.

If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask or give us a call.

Sincerely,

Ben
www.allterraincampers.com

 

[craig333]

I've run into the terminology problem before. Some people think tow behind pop ups, some people think camper shell. Pays to be specific and make sure there are no misunderstandings.

 

[benburnett]

terminology

Good point especially when you are talking to your insurance company or DMV.

Sincerely,

Ben
www.allterraincampers.com