Travel trailers are the most common type of non-motorized recreational vehicle (RV). They’re typically hitched to a car or pickup truck, so it’s towed. These RVs became really popular in the 50s, and can sleep a number of people depending on the trailer’s size. These class C trailers can sleep as many as eight. Some people use them for big family vacations or reunions, while others enjoy them for quick weekend getaway for two.
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
Travel trailers were called bumper-pull in the 50s
There are plenty of travel trailers manufacturers including Airstream, Winnebago, and Forest River, each with their own models such as Airstream’s beloved Tony Bahama. Airstream alone has about 16 different floor plans to choose from. Travel trailers come in a variety of sizes, from 10 feet to 40 feet, with fifth wheel trailers being the largest.
Travel trailer registration requires inspection
Travel trailers in Pennsylvania, just like most vehicles, have to have proper motor vehicle paperwork including title and registration. You’ll first need to have your trailer pass a safety inspection at a state-approved station, during which your vehicle will be photographed. Any trailer with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) over 3,000 lbs needs to get inspected.
Titling trailer with eTags
If you bought a trailer in PA, you could title it with eTags online and never have to walk into a DMV. You could also change ownership online if you were given the travel trailer as a gift or need to remove/add another owner on the title. You’ll just have to submit a few details such as VIN number.
Landmark, Bighorn Traveler, and Milestone are popular brands in the travel trailer category
Registering travel trailer in PA
If you already have the travel trailer Pennsylvania title, you could register it on eTags as well. You’ll need your VIN number and submit your full name which must match your Pennsylvania driver license. With eTags online, you could order a new license plate, transfer the PA plate you already have, or just apply for a title if you don’t plan on having the travel trailer on the road.
SEE ALSO: HOW TO LEGALLY SIGN OVER YOUR PICKUP TRUCK TITLE TO NEW A OWNER
Only Class C automobiles are allowed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike; toll collectors and police will stop any vehicle in violation. While small travel trailers are allowed, larger ones — even Class C — can sometimes exceed regulations
Why eTags online
With over 350,000 5-star reviews, and hundreds of thousands of blog readers a month, eTags serves as a credible resource for all titling and registration needs across a few states including Pennsylvania. When ordering your travel trailer title or registration online, you get peace of mind thanks to a dedicated specialist who can answer all your questions as well as help you resolve any issues that can come up during registration such as unpaid tolls.
The fifth-wheel travel trailer is kind of in a class of its own, thanks to a unique tow hitch, which is more heavy-duty than your regular travel trailers and u-shaped
You could also download a temporary digital registration until you get your official paperwork by mail. There’s no in-person filing, no waiting for your turn or making an appointment to title or register your travel trailer. eTags could also ship your official Pennsylvania paperwork to anywhere, in case you’re temporarily out of town and not in PA.
54 comments
I have a very small 1970 camper with no title. How can I get a new title using the VIN number
You can contact Penndot here for details
I’m in the military and currently stationed in NC. All of my vehicles are still registered in PA. I’m buying a travel trailer but don’t want to drive to PA to register it. Can I register it online?
You can, but at the moment our PA services are on hold.
We are in the process of purchasing a 32 ft.travel trailer from a Pa. Private owner.The camper is currently in a campground. We live in WV. Just wondering what steps I need to legally pull it to my home.Thanks
eTags doesn’t operate in WV so best to look up dmv laws in that area since you’ll probably need an out of state title transfer once back in WV.
We purchased a Park model home in a NJ campground through a private sale. The title now needs to be transferred to our name as PA residents. I am confused on the process and what I am reading above regarding VIN inspections and registrations. The “trailer” has never left the campground and cant be moved. please help
This article may be able to give you more details
I currently live in MD. I have a 28 ft. Trailer in a permanent campground site. It does not leave the campground. What’s the process of transferring the license plate from MD to PA?
At the moment eTags doesn’t operate in PA, best to contact Penndot for precise details about the process.
I’m a Pennsylvania resident with a PA driver’s license. I’m purchasing a camper in NJ and will store it at a New Jersey campground. I really don’t want to drive it to PA for inspection just to drive it back to the NJ campground. What are my options? Can I register it in NJ? Furthermore, we’re trading in our current camper that already has PA plates.
If you’re trading in a camper then the dealership should take care of all the tag and title work for you. Express your concern and the can guide you if there are any exemptions you can file regarding the inspection.
I purchased a used 5×8 cargo trailer from a friend in W.V. I have the paper title but there is no ID tag on trailer itself. How do I transfer title to Pa.
Hey there, you’ll need an out-of-state title transfer (assuming the trailer has a WV title) so you officially become owner (and can resell when you want). You must also register the trailer in PA to be able to drive it on public roads. You’ll need to get a safety inspection since it’s coming from out of state.
I have a boat trailer and the seller lost the title. I have the boat titled in VA but cannot get the trailer title from PA. It has been several years and I cannot locate the Seller. Any idea how I can get a title for the boat trailer?
What is the proper way to take care of a title that I have for a camper but the seller will not reply back to me to sign off on the title
Do you have a bill of sale? You might have to visit a local DMV office and explain the situation.
Hi! My husband is active duty military stationed in Massachusetts, our home of record is PA we just purchased a travel trailer in Massachusetts and want to get it registered in PA. How can we do this? If inspection still required?
Hello! Yes, you can do this online with eTags. Place an order on our website to start your transfer today!
I’m buying a camper in Virginia and I’m a pa resident do I just go to there dmv to get a temp tag to get it back to pa or how do I go about doing it
If you’re buying a camper at a dealership, they will usually issue a temp tag and do the title work for you! If not, as long as you have a PA license and insurance, we can process it online and send you your plate in the mail! If you meet those requirements, please place an order on our site.
Let me know if you decide to place an order by emailing at sara@etags.com. I can personally make sure your order gets processed smoothly!
Hello – I bought a brand new trailer in Utah. It is 42 feet long and well over 3,000 lbs. I am a PA resident with a PA drivers license. Does the trailer need to be inspected in PA and what is the paperwork process? Can I use eTags to complete the registration?
Hi there!
Congratulations on your trailer! Since the title is from another state, you’ll need to have the VIN inspected. You can take care of this by visiting any certified mechanic. You’re a PA resident so eTags can certainly help you with the transfer! Please gather your title, VIN inspection and your license and place an order on our website! If you do end up using eTags, please let me know and I’d be happy to keep an eye on your order to make sure it all goes off without a hitch! Take care and drive safely!
Interested in purchasing a travel trailer in DE and we live in PA. Over 3,000 lbs and is 38′ 6″. What is the process to have PA paperwork? If it has a current inspection does it need inspected again? Thank you!
Hi there,
You’ll need to visit the DMV in person in Pennsylvania in order to complete this transaction. You’ll need the title or transferrable registration, insurance, and your Pennsylvania license to start. There are no inspections required in Pennsylvania for this transaction. I hope this helps
Hi, I would like to buy a travel trailer that will stay on a campground in PA but I am a NY resident with and NY license. What is the process? Thanks!!!
Since you’re a resident of New York, you’ll need to register the trailer in NY after you purchase it. If you’ve got the title, your license and valid NY insurance.
Can you issue temp PA tag while an out of state purchased rv trailer is being titled and registered through your service? How long does it take to receive tags so we can drive?
Hello, eTags doesn’t offer temporary tags in PA. You may see with PA DMV or an authorized PennDOT agent since there are temp plates valid for 90 days.
I purchased a pop up in NY and need to register in PA. The title is signed over on back can I register this using tags? Or will I need to go to DMV. Trailer is under 3000 lbs.
Hi there, yes you can register in PA with eTags online. Just get a title transfer and registration when you select your service. Since your pop up is from out of state, you’ll need a vin verification in PA. You can either do a pencil and paper tracing of the VIN plate, or you can bring this form to a certified mechanic and have them fill section
I have a camper that video want to convert into a car trailer by removing everything off the frame and putting flat boards down to haul with. How do I convert the title from a camper to a trailer?
I am looking at buying a NY titled 5th wheel. We are PA residents. How would I go about transferring a NY title to PA?
You’ll need the title signed over and filled in on the back according to NY regs. You also need a VIN verification. Either pencil and paper tracing, or mv41 with section B filled by certified mechanic.
We have a small pop-up (1180lbs) that a Florida buyer would like to purchase. We have the PA title. Is it possible to transfer the title to an out of state buyer without the buyer being present? (assuming they want to have the trailer shipped to them)
The new buyer’s ID is required to complete the transfer, so you’ll need to sign over the title to the buyer and then request the transfer. You can do it all online with etags by choosing Register Vehicle
I bought a homade trailer in Wisconsin which does not require a title or registration. How do I get a title and registration here In Pennsylvania?
In that case, you’ll have to go to a local PA DMV and check out the requirements.
How do I get a title for an abandoned trailer. Found serial # Used to be titled in Pa but was so long ago that there’s no info and it’s been purged.
Hi Mary. Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to PennDot directly with this matter. If the title has been purged, it might not be such a tedious process to re-title the vehicle. Good luck!
What if you have the MSO / title – certificate of origin from the manufacturer. Is there a way to apply for a title / registration in PA then. This trailer was sold on consignment and as far as I know, never had any paperwork done.
Yes you can get a title and registration with etags as long as the trailer make comes up in the dmv database. IF it’s an out of state mso, you’ll also need a vin verification. Visit eTags online to get started.
Hi
I bought a 2023 featherlite horse trailer with living quarters that is 38’7 and over 3000lbs from the dealer in Ohio and I have the check for taxes. Can I register it on etags?
Hello,
Yes! As long as you’re a resident of PA, there’s no lien, and you can take it for a Vin Verification in PA, you can register it online with eTags! If you meet these basic criteria, Visit our website here to place an order. Please let me know when you’ve placed an order and I can personally see it through for you! I can be reached at sara@etags.com. I hope this helps!
We are buying a used travel trailer that has not been inspected or registered in the past bc it has been at the same campground for several years and the previous owners didn’t tow it. How can we get it inspected if we can’t register and get a plate for it without inspection? We would need to tow it to a place to get it inspected….is there a temporary plate or something we can get so we can tow it for this purpose?
If you have the trailer’s title eTags can help with a title transfer, license plates and then you can take it in for inspection. If you don’t have the title in hand, the previous owner needs to order a duplicate title and sign it over to you. he or she can get a dup.title with etags too
We are also looking to purchase a travel trailer from someone in New Jersey. They will have a title so how do we get it registered and title transferred?
Assuming you’re PA residents and have PA driver’s license, you can title and register the vehicle online with eTags. You will have to do a vin verification in PA too
I have a bumper pull camper now that still has 3 yeas left on the tag. I am purchasing a new 5th wheel. Can I transfer my tag to the fifth wheel or do I have to get a new tag?
Read REGISTRATION section in this article Penndot article for more details.
I live in PA and am looking at purchasing a camper from and individual in NJ that has the camper registered but no title. According to NJ DOT titles are not required for vehicles under 2500lb, registration only. Is there a path to getting this vehicle registered, titled and insured in PA? Would I just need a bill of sale, VIN etc. or would I need to request that the current owner obtain a title from NJ before completing the sale?
PA requires a title for any vehicle, so you’ll have to get all the paperwork from NJ seller
There is a guy wants to sell me a 30ft camper cheap now there is no title it was given to him is this something I should avoid buying.
Without a title you won’t be able to prove ownership of the camper, and you won’t be able to register it. If the seller has lost the title, he can try getting a duplicate title from Penndot