This is non-MB and non-diesel, but I wanted to ask here since I think many people may have experience with this sort of thing.

I live in California and am planning to buy a travel trailer in Washington to put on my property in Idaho. I do not intend to ever bring the trailer to California. If I want to transfer the title, would it be a California trailer or an Idaho trailer? If it was a California trailer, would the DMV want me to haul it into one of their locations?

Thanks,

Dkr.

Idaho, vehicles are to be licenced in the state they are used. DO NOT deal with the CA DMV unless it's a last resort...

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Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

This might go state to state. I couldn't license vehicles in WV, even though I own property there. A friend has some of his vehicles registered in FL and IN. Depends on what $$ for insurance and tiles. So, I'd also check $$ on insurance if needed.

If for some reason Idaho makes you register in CA, you will have to show up at a CA DMV for a VIN inspection. Hopefully you can avoid this.

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid and it's never going to happen.

Dkr.

It is also possible to ask a sworn police officer to verify the VIN without the necessity of going to a DMV office. You will need to get the proper form from the DMV office and then ask an officer to verify the VIN and sign the form.

Just register in ID.

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

Can you show residency in ID? If not, you might not be able to register the trailer there.

We need to define a few things.

Title. In most states this just proves ownership.

What specific issues are there with getting a CA title? I've bought cars out of state the had a notary in the purchasing state witness the sellers signature / provide a note stating the car was sold for X $ . I then take this to a notary in my state to complete the process.

Registration ( License plate ) this allows the vehicle to be used on public roads.

You can get a paper temporary transit plate in the sellers state. You really need to do this to avoid on the road issues given the title will be somewhat convoluted.

In any event, make sure the title is in your name and clear once this is all over otherwise there will be issues down the road.

This isn't right, no matter how many times you repeat it. Idaho requires residency for a vehicle registration:


https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/


To register a vehicle in Idaho:

• The vehicle must belong to an Idaho resident or business.
• The vehicle must be titled in Idaho before it can be registered. (You can apply for vehicle registration immediately after submitting the required documents to a county assessor’s motor vehicle office.)
• If you are a new resident, you must register and title your vehicle(s) within 90 days.

This ^^

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

Go to the DMV in the state you purchase the trailer in, get a one trip permit and drag that thing to Idaho and put it on your private property. Why would you need to register again if it’s just sitting on private property?

I hope it’s winter equipped.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

What about people who own second homes in ID? Usually states have provisions for non-residents to register vehicles that are only going to be used inside that state (I know Oregon had that rule, and Washington would ruthlessly enforce it on Washington residents who registered in OR and then returned the car to WA...)

Also, what the "rules" say and what the DMV employee will let you do are two very different things. I bet there are a ton of vehicles registered to non-residents.

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

Maine does mail order tags for trailers. It's super common, and cheap if you're planning on keeping it for 5yrs+

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Go to the DMV outside of Boise, something like Gem county DMV in Emmett. You’re not going to get away with anything in ADA county.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

Montana used to offer something like this as well.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.