This summer I bought a 2012 F-550. It was still in cab and chassis configuration - nobody had ever put anything on the rails (and it only had 112 miles on it!).
I decided to ship it off to Douglass Truck Bodies in Bakersfield, CA after reading an article profiling them in a back issue of Truck Camper Magazine.
The camper body build is in progress, should be finished by the end of November.

With the body customized for the Eagle Cap 1165 camper, and the truck itself being overkill for any other possible use I might have for a truck (and I already have a Dodge Dakota), I expect the camper will rarely, if ever, come off the truck.

I live in Alabama, my plan is to fly out there and drive it back home.
I wanted to get a tag ahead of time for the drive.

The problem:
My local tag office is confused about how to title and tag the thing.
They can't decide whether it's an RV or a truck (answer: it's a truck, the camper is cargo).
If it's a truck, the tag should be on the truck, but the camper will obstruct the visibility of the tag.
They say I'll get pulled over for improper display yada yada yada.
Ditto if I put the tag on the camper.

Question:
How do other truck camper owners display tags on their rigs?
Does a permanently mounted camper make the whole vehicle an RV? (OK, technically not permanently mounted).

My Lance 1030 hangs way over the back of my F350 DRW and when I load my camper I simply remove the tag from my truck bumper and place it on the camper. Been doing that for years and no problems. If it were me I would just register the truck as a truck. I dont think Alabama requires you to register the camper. I also have insurence on my camper although I am told that as long as it is mounted on my truck that it is also covered under my truck policy. I live in Mississippi and I have never had any problems.
Gary

Be ''sure'' to post pictures!


I know a few guys in our County that has a TC that hangs off the back.

They bought an extra set of tags... (both have the same tag number, but I'm sure you knew that)

They have one on the truck and mounted the other one of the camper... They just leave the one on the camper mounted.

Check and see if they will let you do that!

Hope that helps!

Update:
The folks in the County tag office decided they could not send any paperwork to the State office that had the term "camper body" on it - even though it's just a custom type of service body.
They think the State will decide it's an RV. Part of the problem (besides terminology) is that there is nothing for them to visually inspect yet, and truck campers seem to be a rare bird in these parts.
The tag office ladies do believe they are saving me grief from an overzealous constabulary down the road...
So I have to get a new VIN inspection form from California with the offending words removed.

Lesson:
The less information you give to the government, the better off you're likely to be.

Alabama is a one-tag state, but I'll look into whether I can get an official second tag.
I was already thinking about making a color Zerox of it myself, to tape inside the rear window of the camper.

What a bummer and a bunch of junk!..IMO........



Here's a great link to post pictures to Forums!... (*You don't need to register on TinyPic*)

http://tinypic.com/

1) Click on ''Browse'' to get a picture from your computer.

2) On ''Resize'', scroll down and click on ''Message Board'' (640x480).

3) Click on the green button ''Upload Now''.

4) When the picture comes up, You will see ''IMG Code For Forums & Message Boards''.

Copy that and ''Paste'' the link to your post on the Forum.... Your picture will then be uploaded!

(You may have to enter some kind of code on Tiny-Pic before you get the IMG Code)

Its very easy and I hope that helps you!

I never could post pics to this forum, then someone told me about TinyPic!

Thank you KY_Campers! Pictures posted successfully.
My truck is 84 inches cab to axle, so there was room at the front for a tall compartment.

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The picture below shows a DTB employee squatting in the bed of the body under construction, holding a window up to its installation area.
I asked for a visual line of sight from the cab through that tall compartment to the front of the camper - there is another window at the front of the body.
I need all the loading help I can get.

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You're welcome on the pictures!

Nice lookin' truck for sure!... Can't wait to see the camper on it!

No mater the load, you got the truck to haul it!.... Do you plan on pulling anything (boat) behind when you have the camper loaded ?

Kentucky is a one tag state too... But they let them buy an extra tag for the camper.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Good-luck with everything!

Update...

The Douglass guys graciously indulged my request to have a second VIN inspection done. They had to send someone from the shop on a mission to the California Highway Patrol (who would not come to them ).
So I have my tag. Alabama does not sell a "second" tag, so I made a color photocopy to tape inside the rear window of the camper. If I get pulled over for that I'll just have to plead ignorance...

Yikes! it cost $583 for an X1 truck tag due to the 18,000 lb GVWR (included a $15 late fee ).

The pictures show the new body temporarily mounted on the truck for a fit test with the camper.

This was mid-October. The body is now off again for continued fabrication. Supposed to be ready for delivery on December 1st.

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I am undecided about towing - concerned that it would impair access to places I might otherwise want to go.
I am interested in hearing from other forum members about their experiences with access while towing...