Chapter 15 – Recreational Vehicles

Section A.  Recreational Vehicles (RVs) – General Information
Section B.  Motor Homes
Section C.  Travel Trailers and Truck Campers

Section A.  Recreational Vehicles (RVs) – General Information

Revised November 29, 2017

Recreational vehicle defined (§66-1-4.15(F))

A recreational vehicle is a vehicle with a camping body that has its own motive power, is affixed to or is drawn by another vehicle and includes motor homes, travel trailers and truck campers

Registration of RVs by non-residents (§66-3-4(A)(1))

Contrary to our general rule, the applicant for registration of an RV is not required to be a New Mexico resident.

§66-3-4(A)(1)  provides that all applications presented to the division shall contain (emphasis added):

• for a vehicle other than a recreational vehicle, the name, bona fide New Mexico residence address and mail address of the owner or, if the owner is a firm, association or corporation, the name, bona fide New Mexico business address and mail address of the firm, association or corporation; and
• for a recreational vehicle, the name, bona fide residence address and mail address of the owner and proof of delivery in New Mexico. (The applicant must actually take possession of the RV in New Mexico.)

Special registration plates for RVs (§66-3-408)

§66-3-408 provides that, “All recreational vehicles registered in New Mexico shall carry a special registration plate, including any armed forces veteran plate, disabled veteran plate, purple heart plate, medal of honor plate, ex-prisoner of war plate, Pearl Harbor survivor plate or patriot plate. The color and design of the plates shall be at the discretion of the director.”

The RV owner may decide whether to have a special RV plate or (assuming they qualify) one of the named military plates.

Motor Homes

Revised December 13, 2017

“Motor home” defined (§66-1-4.11(G))

A “motor home” is a camping body built on a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis so designed that seating for driver and passengers is within the body itself.

A motor home is a recreational vehicle.

Vehicle Identification Number

The primary VIN of a motor home is that of the coach (body or living quarters). The secondary VIN is that of the chassis of the vehicle. Both are needed to title a motor home. This is due to the large quantity of chassis that are mass-manufactured and then sold in bulk to other manufacturers to have the Coach (body or living quarters) affixed to the chassis.

The year and make of the vehicle will be that of the coach, not that of the chassis.

Note: Coach VINs on model years 1981 and newer are subject to federal VIN requirements and should be 17 digits. Some coaches also have coach numbers and serial numbers that do not meet federal VIN requirements. Be aware to capture the Coach VIN as the primary VIN, not a coach number or serial number.
Title and Registration Requirements for a New Motor Home

1. Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
   Note: Weight certificate required if MCO does not indicate the empty weight of the motorized home.
2. Dealer’s Invoice
3. Odometer Mileage Statement
4. Affirmation of Insurance
5. Proof of Trade-In (as needed)
6. Power of Attorney (POA) (as needed)
7. Lienholder Information (as needed)
8. Identification
9. Proof of New Mexico Residence (except for non-residents taking delivery in New Mexico (see Chapter 15 Section A)?
10. Registered owner on Title Application must appear as shown on assignment.
11. Motorized home must be titled and registered within 30 days of purchase to avoid late registration penalties.

Title and Registration Requirements for a Used Motor Home

1. Certificate of Title (Current)
   Note: Weight certificate required if Title does not indicate the empty weight of the motorized home.
2. Bill of Sale
3. Dealer’s Invoice (when motorized home purchased from a dealer).
4. VIN Inspection – primary and secondary VINs required
5. Proof of Trade-in (as needed).
6. Release of Lien (as needed).
7. Proof of New Mexico Residence (except for non-residents taking delivery in New Mexico (see Chapter 15 Section A)?
8. Identification
9. Power Of Attorney (POA) (as needed).
10. Lien Holder Information (as needed).
11. Motorized home must be titled and registered within 30 days of purchase to avoid late registration penalties.

Motor Home Registration Fees

Motor Home Registration Fees are determined by the motor home’s declared gross vehicle weight (DGVW) and are the same as truck registration fees.

Section C.  Travel Trailers and Truck Campers

Revised November 29, 2017

Travel Trailers (§66-1-4.17(M))

A “travel trailer” is a trailer with a camping body and includes recreational travel trailers and camping trailers.

• A “recreational travel trailer” is a camping body designed to be drawn by another vehicle. (§66-1-4.15(E))
• A “camping trailer” is a camping body, mounted on a chassis, or frame with wheels, designed to be drawn by another vehicle and that has collapsible partial side walls that fold for towing and unfold at the campsite. ((§66-1-4.3(B))

Travel trailers are registered as recreational vehicles (RVs) and are issued a recreational vehicle license plate. Otherwise, a travel trailer is treated the same as any other trailer (see Chapter 13 Section A)?.

Recreational travel trailers are towed by a motor vehicle and are not more than eight feet wide or longer than 40 feet. The weight conversion chart below can be used when only the length of a travel trailer is known. It will assist in computing the registration fees for travel trailers.

Recreational Travel Trailer Weight Conversion Chart

Truck Campers (§66-1-4.17(R))

A “truck camper” is a camping body designed to be loaded onto, or affixed to, the bed or chassis of a truck. A camping body, when combined with a truck or truck cab and chassis, even though not attached permanently, becomes a part of the motor vehicle, and together they are a recreational unit to be known as a “truck camper.”

There are three general types of truck campers:

(1)   “slide-in camper” – a camping body designed to be loaded onto and unloaded from the bed of a pickup truck ;

(2)   “chassis-mount camper” – a camping body designed to be affixed to a truck cab and chassis; and

(3)   “pickup cover” or “camper shell” – a camping body designed to provide an all-weather protective enclosure over the bed of a pickup truck and to be affixed to the pickup truck

A truck camper is treated the same as any other passenger vehicle.