SergeantMajor

If you are a Thousand Trails member, you can now add the Trails Collection for $199.00 per year. It will add 100 plus additional RV campgrounds to your current membership for this annual fee. You can make reservations 60 days out, stay in each park for 14 consecutive nights, and no nightly costs. https://members.thousandtrails.com/trailsCollection.aspx

Dot and Mel; Adventure Caravan sounds good. We are going with a group of former/retired military and will be up there about the same time as you. Here is a link to our Alaska 2012 trip in the Lets Meet Up section of the FMCA Travel Forum. We are hoping the fuel prices do not go too crazy this summer. Can't wait to get up there, especially if it is as hot as last summer in the lower 48 last year. Hope to see you there!

The 2012 issue of North to Alaska is now online. This is a great free online travel planner for anyone thinking about traveling to Alaska in an RV. You can also order a free North to Alaska book and Milepost map to be mailed to you.

The 2012 issue of North to Alaska is now online. This is a great free online travel planner for anyone thinking about traveling to Alaska in an RV. You can also order a free North to Alaska book and Milepost map to be mailed to you.

I am posting this info just in case any of you might be interested in going to AK by caravan. The group is the Special Military Active Retired Travel Club (SMART). They currently have 4 RVs signed up and are trying to get a minimum of 8 RVs, but should not cancel the trip if they only get less RVs. They have the lowest cost caravans since the Wagonmaster and Tailgunner work for free. Any military veteran can go on the caravan as either a regular member or if you are a friend of a member you can go as as an associate member. Here is the link for more information: 2012 SMART Alaska/Yukon Caravan. This is a 67 day caravan at a total cost of $5,384.09 for two adults in one coach. The cut-off date for signing up for this caravan is Feb. 1, 2012. SMART stands for Special Military Active Retired Travel Club. They require half the total cost paid by Feb. 1st and the second half paid by March 17th. I have posted the costs for the top seven Alaska/Yukon Caravans for 2012 with a cost comparison for each as well as links to each website for further information. The SMART caravan is the longest tour, spends the most days in Alaska, is the cheapest cost overall, and the cheapest cost per day. Each year several of the attendees are also FMCA members such as my DW and I. The DW and I are already signed up for this caravan, as well as three other RVs, as of Jan. 20, 2012. I am posting this info in hopes that others may be interested in joining the 2012 caravan. I have been to Alaska before (not by RV) and I am looking forward to going again in June of this year. I encourage any of you to take a look at the numbers below if you have ever thought about doing a caravan to Alaska. The camaraderie of fellow Vets would be a great bonus to a great Alaskan trip. Please feel free to forward this info along to other RV owning Vets; especially if you think they might be considering a trip to Alaska. The cost of the SMART Alaska trip includes 67 nights of camping in campgrounds, 10 Dinner meals, 5 Cruises, 6 tours and 3 shows. Also there is a Jacket for each person, 1 Mile post per RV and 1 tour saver coupon book.They also have a number of potluck meals planned to help save on meal costs and add to camaraderie. The entire trip consists of 6,238 miles of driving so you can budget accordingly for the amount of fuel that will be needed. Most "driving days" are between 100 to 300 miles with 200 miles as the average day of driving when out on the road. Company / # of Days / Total Cost / Cost per Day Discovery RV Tours / 34 / $6,973.00 / $206.00 Good Sam Caravan / 43 / $7,689.00 / $178.81 Fantasy RV Tours / 60 / $9,895.00 / $165.00 Adventure Caravans / 60 / $8,195.00 / $137.00 Camping World Pres. Club / 38 / $5,395.00 / $142.00 Newmar Kountry Klub / 42 / $5,495.00 / $130.00 SMART / 67 / $5,384.09 / $80.56

I used the FMCA Michelin Tire Advantage Program while at the rally in Madison, WI. They provided me the fleet tire cost sheet and a local Michelin dealer did the install. The way it worked, I simply went online and found a Michelin dealer. I called the dealer and told them I was ordering a set of eight (08) 315/80R22.5 XZA1 tires using the program. Once the tires arrived, I drove to the dealer and had them mounted. The dealer charged his cost for removing old tires, mounting and balancing new tires; this went on one receipt. The dealer also made out a separate receipt to go to the FMCA for the actual tire purchase and it did not have a total cost on it. On this second receipt, I provided my FMCA membership number and an email address. About a week later the FMCA emailed me a copy of the completed invoice showing the amount charged for the tires along with the FET (also shown on the fleet tire cost sheet). The amount that came back on the second receipt was the exact amount quoted on the fleet tire cost sheet. NOTE 1: My old tires were Michelin 295/80R22.5 load range H. My new tires are Michelin 315/80R22.5 load range L. The reason I upgraded to a larger and better load range tire was that the fleet cost was about $80 per tire cheaper for the 315s over the fleet cost of the 295s. I first called both Newmar and Spartan to verify my coach and rims would handle the 315s before the purchase/install. I strongly suggest others also look carefully at prices to see if you might be able to save additional money by upgrading tires. I found this to be a strange phenomenon in pricing and others might find the same thing applies to their rig too. My new fleet priced tires are about $250 per tire cheaper than I could find on my own and that doesn't even count the upgrade in size/load range. I think this is the best FMCA benefit going right now and strongly recommend this program to all others. NOTE 2: If you want to get the absolute most bang for the buck, and you will be traveling through a "no sales tax state" such as MT, that would be the place to buy and install your tires. WI charged me a 5% sales tax and when you add that to a major purchase, it can add up quickly. Just something to consider!

I have not been an FMCA member for a long time, but I keep reading in the newsletters, magazine, and websites how much financial difficulties the FMCA (as well as the rest of the RVing industry) is having due to the bad economy and low number of new paying memberships. I have read in the FMCA Full Timers Chapter newsletter about Full Life Memberships that FMCA use to offer. According to Jean S. Pryor, L12913 (an FMCA Full Timer Chapter member and Life Member), Full Lifetime Members are people who, in about 1977, contributed $500 to help save FMCA from bankruptcy and they no longer pay dues, get all benefits, and up to 2 conventions free per year. (Life members acquire an L before the member number.) I see in the past, that FMCA offered these Full Lifetime memberships as a way to generate some quick cash for the organization's financial chest. I also see other RV organizations offering Lifetime Membership such as Good Sam and Escapees RV Club. It seems by offering a lifetime membership for one large lump sum, that this is a good way to generate some quick cash and also to build up core amount of members for the long haul. The other RV clubs and organizations do not include lifetime rallies, but "DO" include their magazine. Perhaps the FMCA could re institute the lifetime memberships, but could perhaps include a mandatory digital subscription as a way to help defray mailing and printing costs of the magazine if a person opts for the lifetime membership; or offer two differing amounts for a lifetime membership - one with a paper magazine and snail mail delivery and one with a digital magazine only format with no mailing and printing costs. What do others think about this topic? Has this topic ever been brought up at the National level since the last time it was used back in about 1977? What would be a fair amount to pay for a lifetime FMCA membership (with or without a printed magazine subscription) and "NO" lifetime free rallies (as the other RV clubs do)? The club could then take this large lump sum membership fees and invest that money to help the long term stability of the club. I know we can all help the FMCA by trying to recruit more members by inviting our family and friends to join, but I truly do see this as another viable means to an end; which is to increase the number of long term members and to build up some finances for the organization.

Roy Jameson, owner of Freedom Automotive of Hesperia, CA, did the homemade Ford Neutral Kit for my vehicle. Cost was $50 labor for 45 minutes of work and $5 for a 12 volt LED light. This is an extremely easy fix to allow my 2003 Ford Explorer 4x4 with V8 to be a Dinghy vehicle. The work consisted of cutting off the Green Plug (with two wires) under the right side of the steering column, completing the circuit with two short wires and an LED light, and then plugging in the computer and clicking on the option to allow Neutral Towing. Once the 12V LED was in place, I had the mechanic confirm that following the sequence of steps below that the transfer case was in neutral. Make sure the vehicle is secured (won't roll away) 1. have the engine running 2. put the shift level into neutral 3. turn the key back two positions (off but not locked) 4. indicator light will come on and then turn off 5. press the brake and the 4X4 auto button for about 5 seconds 6. the indicator light will flash 4 times and then stay on 7. release the brake and the 4X4 button 8. transfer case is in neutral I did not have to purchase the $350 Neutral Tow Kits plus $30 shipping costs from a Ford dealer in WA. Also, please note that REMCO puts out bad info on their website and by phone stating that the 2003 Ford Explorers with V8s and 4x4 can not be used as Dinghy vehicles. Even most Ford Service Centers put out bad info as well by stating my vehicle can not be towed four wheels down, even though their 2003 Ford Dinghy Guide states my vehicle can be used as a Dinghy. Once the work was completed, the vehicle was tested by towing it several miles and it tows just fine now. Once again, thanks to Nick Russell, of Gypsy Journal for telling me exactly how to make the homemade Ford Neutral Tow Kit for a total cost of $55 fully installed vs $380 parts/mailing plus $150 labor.

Mike; Thanks, I will give Ford a call about P/N 1L2Z-7H332-AB. The Ford Service Department would not be so hesitant to flash the computer code if they were installing their own part. Since your Explorer is a V6 and mine a V8, that might make a difference. They are telling me that the part is still made for a V6 but not a V8.

Mike; I appreciate any info you can come up with. The only thing I need a mechanic for is to plug into the computer and add the code. A simple LED light and a wire is the only other thing needed. Here is the code, but can't find a Ford dealer or independent mechanic that will program the code for me. USING NGS SERVICE (GREEN) CARD CONNECT TO VEHICLE VIA THE DIAGNOSTIC CONNECTOR SELECT “SERVICE BAY FUNCTIONS†SELECT “4X4 CONTROL MODULE†SELECT “NEUTRAL TOW FUNCTION†SELECT “EXPLORER†PRESS TRIGGER AND SCROLL TO ENABLE OR DISABLE PRESS TRIGGER AGAIN AFTER HIGHLIGHTING THE DESIRED STATE PRESS “DONE†USING NGS+ SELECT PROPER VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR SELECT DIAGNOSTIC DATA LINK SELECT 4X4 MODULE SELECT FUNCTION TESTS SELECT NEUTRAL TOW ENABLE SCROLL TO ENABLE OR DISABLE NTF AND PRESS TRIGGER USING WDS CONNECT TO VEHICLE VIA THE DIAGNOSTIC CONNECTOR FOLLOW HOOK UP SCREEN AFTER WDS DISPLAYS VEHICLE INFO, SELECT TOOL BOX ON TOP OF SCREEN FROM ON SCREEN MENU SELECT “MODULE PROGRAMMING†SELECT “PROGRAMMABLE PARAMETTERS†SELECT “NEUTRAL TOW FUNCTION†FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON THE WDS TO COMPLETE OPERATION

Finally we have found some luck with this one. Nick Russell of The Gypsy Journal is sending me the wiring diagram. The cost to make the truck towable is a $2 LED light/wire harness and about $25 labor to flash a particular code into the computer that can be done at any modern day mechanic's shop. Looking at a total cost of about $30 to $35. Before Nick called me, this is the info I had found on the subject: It appears the part is no longer made, but did find an out-of-state Ford dealer that has them available. They quit making the part in Nov. 2009. At the time the part was still being made, it cost $30, but now the part is no longer in production, so it costs $350. The kit consists of a wiring diagram, a diode, and a wire with an LED light on the end. Takes Ford less than one hour to download some info into the computer and make the install. Looking at about $400 to $500 total cost (parts and labor) plus travel expenses. I want to say thank you very much Nick Russell.

I am trying to find a Neutral Tow Kit (part no. 1L2J7H332-AA) for a 2003 Ford Explorer 4x4 4Door V8. My local Ford dealer is telling me Ford does not make such a kit now nor have they ever made such a kit for any V8s, only have kits for V6s. I even showed him the 2003 Ford Towing Guide that specifically shows that my vehicle works with that install. I also did a check for this part on the Ford Parts website and no such part number is found there. Do any of you know anyone that has a new or used kit for sale or any mechanic that can do the install? I have seen messages on this board dated back in 2006 though 2008 that says this kit can be built yourself with about $12 worth of easy to find over-the-counter parts. Perhaps someone has this type of build plan that I can get a copy of? I also checked out the REMCO website. They do not build a Driveshaft Release Kit for my truck and that website states that the Ford Neutral Tow Kit will not work with my make/model of truck. I have read numerous posts on this website as well as several others that specifically do say the kit will work and are actually using it on their Ford Explorers. My 2003 Ford Explorer XLT is a 4 door with auto transmission and a V8. My 4x4 system has 3 buttons on the dash labeled 4x4 Auto, 4x4 High, and 4x4 Low. I have only used my 4x4 system a few times, but it was a lifesaver when I did need it. I am retired and currently live in So. CA, but am willing to drive just about anywhere at this point to have a Neutral Tow Kit system made and installed, rather than buy a trailer to tow my Ford Explorer on. Any additional info is greatly appreciated; especially a person or place that sells and installs these kits.

JMonroe and jimsreyes; Thank you both for your honest answers and words of encouragement. We can't wait to start living the full-time lifestyle and love the fact we have gotten so many responses by posting and private message on this topic. We wish all of you and long and happy nomadic RV lifestyle!!! Sergeant Major

Donald J. Potts Sergeant Major (E9) US Marines (active duty) 4 years plus 1979 to 1984 Infantryman (M-60 Machinegunner) and Primary Marksmanship Instructor US Army (reserve duty) 24 years plus 1984 to 2008 Combat Military Police, MP Instructor, and NCO Academy Instructor I am now retired from the military with a total of 28 years of service. I will be hitting the road as a full-timer sometime between Sep. 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011. It is great to be amongst friends here!!! Sergeant Major

I want to thank all of the folks above that have already posted replies to my questions. Since nobody can have too many friends, I have added you all as my friends here on FMCA website forums. I appreciate your candor & honesty, the additional links for other RV clubs, and your tips on reminding me we will be living in a house on wheels that can simply drive away when the neighborhood isn't to our liking. Don't get me wrong, I too have felt prejudice from the black community when I am attending functions with my wife and I am the minority, but I am a much stronger person than my wife and I don't back down or shy away from negative situations. My wife on the other hand can easily get her feelings hurt by inconsiderate people that seem to harbor much hatred; especially anyone that throws the "N" word around. I think the hatred and prejudice that some people harbor inside is like a cancer that eats away at them, and it can't be good at any level. I think we have joined some great RV clubs and we intend to get involved with all of the fun activities that are available. We look forward to this upcoming phase in our lives and I hope to meet all of you guys someday during our travels. If you ever see us or our RV, please stop by and introduce yourself. My wife is a fantastic cook and she is the reason I can't fit in my old military uniforms anymore. All other comments on this subject are welcome and I will also keep responding to private messages as I receive them. I am really enjoying reading all of the FMCA posts on all different RV subjects and look forward to future FMCA rallies. Sergeant Major

Brett. I appreciate the info. I have sent off for additional info on four (04) of the International chapters for full-timers. Thanks, Sergeant Major

OK, I have been reluctant to type these questions but will ask them below after a little background information first. My wife and I will be retiring soon and hitting the road as full-timers. We will hit the road fully retired when I am 50 and my wife is 47 years old. I will have a dual retirement from both the military and law enforcement and my wife is quitting work (college program director) when I retire since we can easily live on my retirement assets. We have been married 15 years and my children from a previous marriage are all grown and dispersed throughout the country; my wife has no children of her own and she gets along great with my children and grand-children. She is the perfect woman for me in so many ways. We both love many of the same hobbies, we love to travel together, we love our RV, and we are each others best friend. We both look forward to this nomadic life on the road and are in the process of selling all of our "stuff" including all real estate. We purchased a beautiful coach one year ago and plan to make this our home on wheels for many years to come. We have joined several RV clubs so that we have a connection to family and friends on the road and plan on taking advantage of rallies, caravans, and all types of gatherings with other RVer's. The clubs we are members of include FMCA, Good Sam's, Escapees, Newmar Kountry Klub, S.M.A.R.T. as well as others. We both have many friends at our jobs that tell us that we are crazy for living full-time in an RV. My wife even hears it more than I do since she is black and I am white. Her black friends are telling her that most RVers they have seen are older, retired whites and that they are afraid that my wife will not be as welcomed as others might be. Don't get me wrong, any inter-racial couple that has been together as long as we have has had their share of hypocrites and bigots to already deal with, but I do want to put her mind somewhat at ease. Anyone that takes just a few minutes to get to know my wife simply falls in love with her; she is a beautiful, loving, Christian woman that does not have a prejudice bone in her body. Her skin color is black and she is proud of her heritage, but she is simply "American" and loves everything about life. Many of you have been RVing it for years and you must agree that the percentage of blacks that own RVs is much less than whites and thus we know she will truly be a minority in the RV community. We (my wife and I) see much fewer blacks at RV shows, campgrounds, RV blogs, or even in RV rally photos than we do whites; sometimes we do not see a single black person in any rally photos. I do want to say that so far we have not seen anymore prejudice than we would normally see outside of the RVing community; but once again, we are not living that lifestyle yet. I am hoping and guessing that her black friends are wrong and that the RVing community is actually a tighter knit group and that she will likely see less prejudice than normal. My wife is not a person that is asking for any kind of special treatment whatsoever, only wanting to know if she will be given a chance to be judged on her merits and character! I really do welcome any thoughts or comments by posting here or even by private message if your comments are very personal in nature. What have you seen with your own eyes with regards to this topic? Will my wife be welcomed into the inner circle or do you see signs of a lot of prejudice that still exits within the RVing community? I know their are still many out there that totally frown on inter-racial couples, but I think once people get to know us, they too will become color blind if they aren't already!!! Once again, I appreciate any replies on what we can likely expect. I want both of us to enter this new lifestyle with our eyes wide-open. In no way, shape, or form did I mean this post to be anything that is negative or am I in anyway trying to stir the pot like political or religious posts seem to do. Just looking for others opinions and what they have actually seen and felt themselves. Thanks for daring to post a reply and for your truthfulness! Sergeant Major

My wife and I are FMCA members and are getting ready to live the full-time lifestyle sometime between Sep. 1st, 2010 and Jul. 1st, 2011. Since we will be living full-time on the road, is there a full-timer's chapter to join? I was born and raised in IL, my wife was born and raised in CA, we are both retired from CA, have our retirement LLC set-up in MT, and will have our residency set-up in TX via the Escapees RV Club. We do not plan to stay in any one area all that much so we are not sure how we could contribute much to a local chapter/club. We plan on attending one or both FMCA International Rallies each year (if traveling in that part of the country), but are not sure what chapters would be good for us? Can we attend Chapter Rallies as a guest if we are not a chapter member? Thanks for any suggestions that other full-timers are doing! Sergeant Major

California Law You indicated that you are currently a resident of California . California Registration California requires that vehicles be registered before being used in the state. The general registration requirement is found in the California Vehicle Code at Section 4000. The section provides, as relevant: (a)(1) No person shall drive, move, or leave standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, or logging dolly, unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid under this code or registered under the permanent trailer identification program, except that an off-highway motor vehicle which displays an identification plate or device issued by the department pursuant to Section 38010 may be driven, moved, or left standing in an offstreet public parking facility without being registered or paying registration fees. Furthermore, a Montana LLC-owned motor home could not operate in California with its Montana plates indefinitely. Section 6700 of the Vehicle Code provides, as relevant: ( A nonresident owner of a vehicle, otherwise exempt from registration pursuant to this section or Section 6700.2, may operate or permit operation of the vehicle in this state without registering the vehicle in this state if the vehicle is registered in the place of residence of the owner and displays upon it valid license plates issued by that place. This exemption does not apply if the nonresident owner rents, leases, lends, or otherwise furnishes the vehicle to a California resident for regular use on the highways of this state, as defined in subdivision ( of Section 4000.4. © Any resident who operates upon a highway of this state a vehicle owned by a nonresident who furnished the vehicle to the resident operator for his or her regular use within this state, as defined in subdivision ( of Section 400.4, shall cause the vehicle to be registered in California within 20 days of after its first operation within this state by the resident. Section 4000.4, referenced above, provides: (a) Except as provided in Sections 6700. 6702, and 6703, any vehicle which is registered to a nonresident owner, and which is based in California or primarily used on California highways, shall be registered in California . ( For purposes of this section, a vehicle is deemed to be primarily or regularly used on the highways of this state if the vehicle is located or operated in this state for a greater amount of time than it is located or operated in any other individual state during the registration period in question. Therefore, in order to avoid triggering the registration requirement, the motor home must be used in any other single state for longer than it is used in California in a given year. The motor home can be used in multiple states as long as it is used in one of them for longer than it is used in California, for example by spending three months in California, six months in Nevada, two months in Arizona, and one month in Texas. Please also keep in mind that you must comply with the registration requirements of whatever other states you use the vehicle in. If the vehicle is going to spend a substantial length of time in a state other than Montana , check that state’s registration requirements to ensure that you can comply. California Sales and Use Tax California imposes a sales tax upon transactions occurring within the state. The tax is levied by the California Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 6051. The section provides: For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail a tax is hereby imposed upon all retailers at the rate of 2 ½ percent of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail in this state on or after August 1, 1933, and to and including June 30, 1935, and at the rate of 3 percent thereafter, and at the rate of 2 ½ percent on and after July 1, 1943, and to and including June 30, 1949, and at the rate of 3 percent on and after July 1, 1949, and to and including July 31, 1967, and at the rate of 4 percent on and after August 1, 1967, and to and including June 30, 1972, and at the rate of 3 ¾ percent on and after July 1, 1972, and to and including June 30, 1973, and at the rate of 4 ¾ percent on and after July 1, 1973, and to and including September 30, 1973, and at the rate of 3 ¾ percent on and after October 1, 1973, and to and including March 31, 1974, and at the rate of 4 ¾ percent thereafter. California ’s corresponding use tax is imposed by Section 6201. The section provides: An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on or after July 1, 1935, for storage, use, or other consumption in this state at the rate of 3 percent of the sales price of the property, and at the rate of 2 ½ percent on and after July 1, 1943, and to and including June 30, 1949, and at the rate of 3 percent on and after July 1, 1949, and to and including July 31, 1967, and at the rate of 4 percent on and after August 1, 1967, and to and including June 30, 1972, and at the rate of 3 ¾ percent on and after July 1, 1972, and to and including June 30, 1973, and at the rate of 4 ¾ percent on and after July 1, 1973, and to and including September 30, 1973, and at the rate of 3 ¾ percent on and after October 1, 1973, and to and including March 31, 1974, and at the rate of 4 ¾ percent thereafter. If you purchase your vehicle outside of California , the sales tax will not apply. However, if you purchase from a California dealer, sales tax can be avoided by having the vehicle delivered to you outside the state. Section 6396 provides: There are exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property which, pursuant to the contract of sale, is required to be shipped and is shipped to a point outside this state by the retailer by means of: (a) facilities operated by the retailer, or ( delivery by the retailer to a carrier, customs broker or forwarding agent, whether hired by the purchaser or not, for shipment to such out-of-state point. For purposes of this section, the term “carrier†shall mean a person or firm engaged in the business of transporting for compensation tangible personal property owned by other persons, and includes both common and contract carriers. The term “forwarding agent†shall mean a person or firm engaged in the business of preparing property for shipment or arranging for its shipment. California has previously used a 90-day exemption for the use tax. However, as part of the state budget passed by the California legislature in September 2008, that exemption was removed and the law was changed back to the one-year exemption used by the state from 2004 to 2007. Section 1620 of Title 18 of the California Code of Regulations provides, as relevant: ( Use tax. (5) Purchase for Use in this State – Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft – 12-month test (From October 2, 2004, through June 30, 2007). (A) Purchased for Use in California . Except as provided in subdivision ((5)(D) below, the provisions of subdivision ((5) apply from October 2, 2004, through June 30, 2007. A vehicle, vessel, or aircraft purchased outside of California which is brought into California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this state if the first functional use of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft is in California . When a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft is purchased outside of California, is first functionally used outside of California, and is brought into California within 12 months from the date of its purchase, it is rebuttably presumed that the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft was acquired for storage, use, or other consumption in this state and is subject to use tax if any of the following occur: 1. The vehicle, vessel, or aircraft was purchased by a California resident as defined in section 516 of the Vehicle Code, as that section now reads or is hereinafter amended. 2. In the case of a vehicle, the vehicle was subject to registration under Chapter 1 (commencing with section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code during the first 12 months of ownership. 3. In the case of a vessel or aircraft, that vessel or aircraft was subject to property tax in this state during the first 12 months of ownership. 4. The vehicle, vessel, or aircraft is used or stored in this state more than one-half of the time during the first 12 months of ownership. ( Evidence Rebutting Presumption. This presumption may be controverted by documentary evidence that the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft was purchased for use outside of this state during the first 12 months of ownership. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, evidence of registration of that vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, with the proper authority, outside of this state. Operative September 20, 2006, in the case of a vehicle, this presumption also may be controverted by documentary evidence that the vehicle was brought into this state for the exclusive purpose of warranty or repair service and was used or stored in this state for that purpose for 30 days or less. The 30-day period begins when the vehicle enters this state, includes any time of travel to and from the warranty or repair facility, and ends when the vehicle is returned to a point outside the state. The documentary evidence shall include a work order stating the dates that the vehicle is in the possession of the warranty or repair facility and a statement by the owner of the vehicle specifying dates of travel to and from the warranty or repair facility. To avoid being assessed a use tax on the vehicle, therefore, the motor home must have its first functional use outside the state of California . It must then spend more than half of the first year outside of California . After that time, it can be brought to California without being assessed a use tax. Additionally, during that first year, the vehicle must not be required to register in California , as outlined above. Summary Your motor home must be either purchased from a dealer outside of California or must be delivered to you outside of California by a California dealer. After it is purchased, the motor home can be exempted from tax if the first functional use of the motor home is outside of California . It must then be used or stored in California for less than half of the first year that you own it, and must not be required to register in California during that time. Once you have complied with this use tax exemption, the motor home may be registered in California if you wish. However, if you are able to comply with the California registration exemption, it is advantageous for you to continue to register the vehicle in Montana , which enables you to take advantage of Montana ’s lower registration fees.