Register and insure a converted cargo van
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video I share my tips on how to get your van registration changed from commercial vehicle to camper van.
This video focuses primarily on California registration so it may differ in other states - however I would expect something similar so these tips should still apply on how to deal with the DMV. Check with your state for a similar form as 256A.
After converting my registration I also switched to an insurance provider who covers the build-out as well as the vehicle.
Link to 256A form - www.needtags.c...
Van insurance - www.roamly.com
I hope this video helps!
How to register a converted cargo van? How to register a converted commercial vehicle. DMV inspection process how-to.
RAM Promaster. Conversion VAN. DIY camper. RV. Recreational Vehicle. Department of Motor Vehicles. Renewal. Save money. Protect your assets. Yearly. Renewal. Cheaper. Better. Insure your van. Vanlife. Van life. #vanlife
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS… you have no idea how helpful this was and how difficult it was to find a simple video like yours!!! ❤❤
Thanks for your comment. I definitely searched youtube before making this and didnt find anything - so thats why I made it. Glad I could help! 😃
Great info. Having an ex U-Haul 28' box I'm experiencing same problems times 3. Even commercial EZ Pass reserve dollars goes from 25 to 600. Cutting my commercial insurance by half, plus added roadside assistance and the reduced stress which is priceless.
Thanks for watching! 🫡
Good to know for when I get my van !😉
That's the spirit! 🚐
Thank you for doing this video. Looks like I've got some challenges ahead.
Thanks for watching. Best of luck to you!
Thank you so so much! I was starting to lose hope in being able to get a van!!!
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching. 👋
Roamly doesn’t insure full timers anymore. Progressive will and DIYs.
Bummer ☹️
This has been a huge PITA for me after I just bought a 1999 E-150 DIY conversion. Progressive initially insured it but then dropped me with no explanation after I sent them the pictures they asked for. I called Roamly, and all they did was tell me to call Progressive.
I wish it was easier! I am pretty sure Roamly will drop me on January 1 2025 when my van is over 5 years old. Seems silly to only insure rvs up to 5 years old! I dread having to do this process again with a different provider. Roamly made it soo easy to cover my diy build.
@@MountainsCallingMe They only work with under 5 years old vans?? Jeez. Any other solutions you're aware of?
@@HowNoahSeesIt I became aware of that issue in the months after creating this video and other people mentioning it. My van will be 5yrs old in October 2024, so I am expecting I will be looking for new provider in October or January. I havent started to look into it seriously as I have been focused on my big 2 month alaska national parks road trip which I am still on. I will start shopping around in the coming weeks and see what I can find. I will likely start by reaching out to Roamly directly to inquire if I will in fact be kicked off their plan, then look around for alternatives if I get confirmation of that.
@@MountainsCallingMe gotcha, thanks for response. Good luck!
Same problem here, I insured my van conversion first with Progressive and now I have Kemper which is slightly cheaper. Does anyone know if I change my registration from commercial to something other will I even be able to get cheaper insurance?
Super helpful, and I have not heard any other video on this. I had been wondering about it. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for a great video. I thought the build had to be done by a licensed van converter? If it was a self build what did you put down for labor cost per hour?? Thanks!!
I created a spreadsheet where I captured all the parts cost and then took an hourly rate and multiolied it by how many hours I spent. I sent that file to them as my evidence. You can also get your DIY build appraised. The first option was much easier to get done quickly and get covered for my investment cost.
I returned home today unsuccessful in changing commercial to RV for my Ram Promaster 3500 Extended. The inspector and the manager at the DMV said exactly what you’ve covered…where’s the toilet? I share with them my dinette, table, shower, upper cabinets, ceiling, all electrical, etc. All I get from them is it’s not funished. Come back when it’s done…kitchen was not done. 😡😡😡😡😡😡
That is frustrating! I would suggest pre-downloading the form from the CA DMV website and just walking in with it already filled out.
Even without a toilet you should be able to make the claim that it is habitable - especially if you have a shower! Does your kitchen have a fridge yet? That is another thing you can claim. You only need to have a "living space" and 1 of the other things mentioned on the form - not ALL of them. The inspector likes to act like all of those things are required for it to comply with the form and they aren't. Hold firm!
I was able to go back to the same DMV and get it done, but my next step would have been to go to a different DMV. I was dealing with the location in Capitola FWIW.
Best of luck to you in sorting it out! I hope you succeed! 🙏
What was the total cost for renewal and for insurance compared to commercial insurance?
I have to renew mine in 2 days and want to try this if it’s not to late lol! Thanks for the info
I couldnt even get insurance from All State for my build-out. I found Roamly while searching facebook groups 'DIY Camper Vans', 'Promaster Build Out', etc. Roamly made that process SUPER EASY!
The DMV registration would have been about $150 more per year based on the weight of my van with my relatively "light build". If you have a heavier full buildout it would be more based on the weight.
There is no cost to file the form at the DMV.
Best of luck to you! Glad to help. :)
Good video ..and the topic was right on point for me ..I have a 2000 GMC Savana cutaway that is killing me on California insurance requirements ..I’ll install a bed structure ..and outfit a microwave and fridge (I had planned on doing that anyway ..) hoping to get this reregistered before the end of the year ..the dmv reclassification seems like it will be pretty straightforward ..this whole thing aggravates me though ..damn this state ..always looking for ways to screw their citizens ..
Dealing with the DMV is somehow always a pain! Thanks for watching 🫡
I'm getting mixed comments from the couple of articles on the internet about changing registration, one said its cheaper (likely because it dropped the weight fee) and the other said more expensive because of something about what the build out ended up raising the total value to (and something about a vehicle license fee?). i have a 2004 chevy express so it's nothing special and does not have a fancy build out, i'm just looking to drop the weight fee but I'm worried they're going to tack on another $100+ because they don't understand my build out has no real value to it. Do you have any idea what exactly makes the registration go up?
Unless the van was purchased after it was converted the "price of the vehicle" is the empty van. This was the case for me. I would suggest showing them the purchase invoice which was before the conversion, not whatever is its current value.
@@MountainsCallingMe so one of the articles I’m referring to is a website called ourkaravan, if you search “register commercial van as rv in california” they’re article should pop up, towards the end of the article they discussed the section where you write in the items of value which sounds like it’s what determines a mark up in registration cost if you’ve added significant value for a build. I’m curious if you filled out that section.
For that box I left it as zero.