I could really use some guidance in regards to vehicle registration.

[Sawtooth]

So I will try to keep this short, in October 2023 I purchased a new to me 2003 Chevy 3500 standard cab 2wheel drive dually. I added it to my current insurance with my other two trucks no problem done. Last week I received a non renewal notice for this truck, I inquired as to why and was told they were streamlining their services and this vehicle was not considered a “private passenger vehicle” so they would not be renewing the policy.
Fast forward to today and I’m shopping insurance on all three of my trucks, the Tahoe and the 2500 come up no problem but the 3500 keeps saying vin incomplete. Finally get someone on the phone that’s helpful and come to find out when the truck was built the vin number list’s it as having a factory flatbed therefore it falls under commercial.
So here’s my question finally, how can I change this so it shows as just a 1 ton/3500 pickup truck. I bought the truck to build it into an RV (earth roamer type deal) and when complete I will change its gender to recreational vehicle.
Can I have it inspected at MVD or ADOT or…….., I’m sure the vin can’t be changed but does anyone know how to change it from a commercial truck to personal auto.
I appreciate your time if you have read this far, hoping the RDP think tank may have someone that had the same experience or has an answer or idea.
Thanks class!!

 

[NicPaus]

I have a few trucks like that for work. My agent said only way was to get a commercial policy which I did. The only good thing is I get a pay in full discount that is not offered on my personal auto policy.

 

[wishiknew]

What state is the truck in ???

 

[CSmith]

Sounds like this is in AZ?
I know they do inspections at MVD and this may be an option, like you're saying have them inspect it. However, I know things are changing and it seems like 1 ton trucks or more they now are considered commercial vehicles whether you use it for commercial use or not.

 

[Good Stuff]

In CA you can convert a pickup to non commercial by “permanently” attaching a camper shell but if you take that shell off you will be ticketed. I had a brother in law that got a ton of tickets because the owner of the truck he was driving for work had done the registration process and then took the shell off. If that’s possible in CA there has to be a way in AZ.

 

[boatpi]

If this is in California is a two letter code on the registration, indicating the body type, it may be incorrect. You can actually go to the diploma of motor vehicles and have a Vin inspection done. If it has a pick up tread, they will re-classify it I believe the code for pick up is PK on the registration That could be the issue.
I have a software file that might be able to identify that on the original build you can post the Vin or DM me with it and I’ll get back to you

 

[NicPaus]

All trucks are commercial vehicles in CA.

The issue he is having is that truck was a cab chassis and the vin is for a cab chassis. Doesn't matter if you put a regular bed on it. As the insurance company goes by vin and that it is a cab chassis vin.

Once you convert it and re register it RV probably just need rv insurance as I would assume they use cab chassis trucks to build rvs. If they do not and have a manufacturer vin for rv when built you might run into a issue.

 

[Backlash]

Could you open an LLC in Montana and register the vehicle there?

 

[braindead]

So I will try to keep this short, in October 2023 I purchased a new to me 2003 Chevy 3500 standard cab 2wheel drive dually. I added it to my current insurance with my other two trucks no problem done. Last week I received a non renewal notice for this truck, I inquired as to why and was told they were streamlining their services and this vehicle was not considered a “private passenger vehicle” so they would not be renewing the policy.
Fast forward to today and I’m shopping insurance on all three of my trucks, the Tahoe and the 2500 come up no problem but the 3500 keeps saying vin incomplete. Finally get someone on the phone that’s helpful and come to find out when the truck was built the vin number list’s it as having a factory flatbed therefore it falls under commercial.
So here’s my question finally, how can I change this so it shows as just a 1 ton/3500 pickup truck. I bought the truck to build it into an RV (earth roamer type deal) and when complete I will change its gender to recreational vehicle.
Can I have it inspected at MVD or ADOT or…….., I’m sure the vin can’t be changed but does anyone know how to change it from a commercial truck to personal auto.
I appreciate your time if you have read this far, hoping the RDP think tank may have someone that had the same experience or has an answer or idea.
Thanks class!!

since you’re going to turn it into a motorhome/earth Romer, anyway, don’t register it and just keep it off the streets till you’re done?

 

[Dr Rob]

So I will try to keep this short, in October 2023 I purchased a new to me 2003 Chevy 3500 standard cab 2wheel drive dually. I added it to my current insurance with my other two trucks no problem done. Last week I received a non renewal notice for this truck, I inquired as to why and was told they were streamlining their services and this vehicle was not considered a “private passenger vehicle” so they would not be renewing the policy.
Fast forward to today and I’m shopping insurance on all three of my trucks, the Tahoe and the 2500 come up no problem but the 3500 keeps saying vin incomplete. Finally get someone on the phone that’s helpful and come to find out when the truck was built the vin number list’s it as having a factory flatbed therefore it falls under commercial.
So here’s my question finally, how can I change this so it shows as just a 1 ton/3500 pickup truck. I bought the truck to build it into an RV (earth roamer type deal) and when complete I will change its gender to recreational vehicle.
Can I have it inspected at MVD or ADOT or…….., I’m sure the vin can’t be changed but does anyone know how to change it from a commercial truck to personal auto.
I appreciate your time if you have read this far, hoping the RDP think tank may have someone that had the same experience or has an answer or idea.
Thanks class!!

Do you have any type of RV right now? If so, contact Good Sam insurance and insure your RV with them. They were the only ones that would insure my Volvo as an R V. It is very inexpensive compared to commercial insurance. They insure all of my vehicles now. They will only do this if you have an r v insured with them.

 

[ka0tyk]

All trucks in CA are commercial. My dually is commercial. If your goal is to convert it you’ll either need to pay the current reg or reg it was non op while you convert. Converting to a RV title requires a bed, a sink, and some type of toilet flush or compost and all of it needs to be permanently installed in the truck somehow along with a visual inspection at any dmv office. It’s how I changed my commercial bus into a RV title.

(Just saw this is an az truck, my guess is similar applies)

 

[Sawtooth]

Thanks to everyone that took the time to respond. Yes this is registered in AZ where I live. I may do as Braindead mentioned and just non op it until it/I am finished with the build out but before doing that I will get a couple quotes on a commercial insurance policy just to see where it lands cost wise. And NicPaus you are correct it comes back as a cab/chassis from factory on the vin verification. Good Stuff I hope this might be the case and ties in with what NicPaus said about registering as an RV once completed. I am stopping by the MVD this morning on my way to work, hopefully someone there can give me some information that’s in my favor.
Thanks again for the responses.

 

[Sawtooth]

All trucks in CA are commercial. My dually is commercial. If your goal is to convert it you’ll either need to pay the current reg or reg it was non op while you convert. Converting to a RV title requires a bed, a sink, and some type of toilet flush or compost and all of it needs to be permanently installed in the truck somehow along with a visual inspection at any dmv office. It’s how I changed my commercial bus into a RV title.

(Just saw this is an az truck, my guess is similar applies)

The truck is currently registered here in AZ where I live, this was not a problem. I bought the truck out of CA and had an insurance policy in place before I went to pick it up and actually drove it to MVD on the way home and registered it. Now that the policy is up for renewal the current insurance company does not want to renew it. And yes the build out will include a permanent kitchen, bedroom, bathroom (w/toilet and shower), etc. essentially like a class C motorhome when complete. But unfortunately that’s going to take some time as I have to still work full time and have a couple projects in front of this one. Thanks.

 

[Sawtooth]

Do you have any type of RV right now? If so, contact Good Sam insurance and insure your RV with them. They were the only ones that would insure my Volvo as an R V. It is very inexpensive compared to commercial insurance. They insure all of my vehicles now. They will only do this if you have an r v insured with them. View attachment 1344134

I do not currently have an RV DrRob but this is definitely a Avenue I will look into when the time comes as I will be switching to good Sam for roadside assistance as triple AAA sucks balls now (5 hour wait time on my last tow call, and I was in town/Havasu not out in the boondocks )!

 

[wzuber]

Would an unbrella policy be of any benefit to this situation? Lower cost on that veh. as well as provide a more comprehensive & complete higher level of protection to all your insured assets?

 

[rrrr]

You poor bastards.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

In AZ, all 3500 series trucks are considered commercial by the DMV. I, as well as several of my friends and neighbors, have 3500 series trucks here in AZ and have them insured as personal vehicles without issue or paying commercial insurance. Try a different carrier.

 

[NicPaus]

In AZ, all 3500 series trucks are considered commercial by the DMV. I, as well as several of my friends and neighbors, have 3500 series trucks here in AZ and have them insured as personal vehicles without issue or paying commercial insurance. Try a different carrier.

Was yours a cab chassis from the factory?

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Was yours a cab chassis from the factory?

Negative

 

[BUDMAN]

All trucks are considered commercial unless you install a shell or a bed cover. If you do this it actually lowers your registration costs because they consider it non-commercial at that point.

 

[Sawtooth]

In AZ, all 3500 series trucks are considered commercial by the DMV. I, as well as several of my friends and neighbors, have 3500 series trucks here in AZ and have them insured as personal vehicles without issue or paying commercial insurance. Try a different carrier.

This is a true statement, my Tahoe and my 2500 are both registered as commercial here in AZ as well as this 3500 I’m having trouble with (although when I registered it the new AZ plate is only 6 characters. When I questioned this I was told “it’s just how the computer spits them out”).What it boils down to is this truck was born as a cab and chassis and reflects that in the vin, here in lies the problem.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

This is a true statement, my Tahoe and my 2500 are both registered as commercial here in AZ as well as this 3500 I’m having trouble with (although when I registered it the new AZ plate is only 6 characters. When I questioned this I was told “it’s just how the computer spits them out”).What it boils down to is this truck was born as a cab and chassis and reflects that in the vin, here in lies the problem.

Strange, my 2500 was not commercial, nor were either of our Tahoes. I would still shop insurance, I have more than one friend with flat/utility beds on their private trucks that aren’t considered commercial for insurance purposes- but I don’t know if the trucks were originally chassis cabs or pickups with the bed removed. Sounds like they are probably regular pickup trucks and not chassis cabs.

 

[Racey]

I bought and flipped a F550 in AZ, insured it through Travelers, no problem at all insuring the truck with them as a personal vehicle....

 

[Sawtooth]

So where it currently stands is I did go by MVD this morning and explained what I was experiencing. The gal couldn’t believe it was a problem so she went up the ladder so to speak. Someone up the food chain said that MVD could do a “Level 1” inspection on said truck and if all checks out they would provided me with the necessary paperwork to have the truck recognized as private, BUT, even armed with this paperwork it was still up to the insurance carrier to accept or not.
Well I have called three different insurance companies today and without tipping them off to my issue they all kick this one vehicle back out of my three saying “it needs a commercial policy and we don’t write commercial in AZ. In fact the last gal I spoke with today at The Hartford said “the topography of insurance for these type trucks is being re-evaluated and changes are starting to be made”. She then went on to say “it’s not just your type truck, it’s the F350 Fords and the 3500 Dodge’s” . So I said well there are hundreds of thousands of these on the road and I’m sure they don’t have commercial policy’s to which she responded “these type trucks that are used to pull travel trailers and or boats and or off road vehicles and the like are being looked into”!
I will try a few more companies to try and get a commercial policy written for it and worse case I will just leave it parked until it’s built out and non op it and later insure it as an RV (this is what the gal at MVD said to do if I don’t need it/drive it right now).

 

[braindead]

So where it currently stands is I did go by MVD this morning and explained what I was experiencing. The gal couldn’t believe it was a problem so she went up the ladder so to speak. Someone up the food chain said that MVD could do a “Level 1” inspection on said truck and if all checks out they would provided me with the necessary paperwork to have the truck recognized as private, BUT, even armed with this paperwork it was still up to the insurance carrier to accept or not.
Well I have called three different insurance companies today and without tipping them off to my issue they all kick this one vehicle back out of my three saying “it needs a commercial policy and we don’t write commercial in AZ. In fact the last gal I spoke with today at The Hartford said “the topography of insurance for these type trucks is being re-evaluated and changes are starting to be made”. She then went on to say “it’s not just your type truck, it’s the F350 Fords and the 3500 Dodge’s” . So I said well there are hundreds of thousands of these on the road and I’m sure they don’t have commercial policy’s to which she responded “these type trucks that are used to pull travel trailers and or boats and or off road vehicles and the like are being looked into”!
I will try a few more companies to try and get a commercial policy written for it and worse case I will just leave it parked until it’s built out and non op it and later insure it as an RV (this is what the gal at MVD said to do if I don’t need it/drive it right now).

I’m in the same situation you are except in California. I managed to get it registered in California as a utility vehicle so I don’t have to pay the extra weight fees associated with a pick up, but the insurance companies are still giving me shit. Right now I pay about $3,200 a year for a commercial policy for just that one truck. Good luck and let us know how it goes and be sure to start a thread with pictures so we can all see the progress.

 

[rivrrts429]

So where it currently stands is I did go by MVD this morning and explained what I was experiencing. The gal couldn’t believe it was a problem so she went up the ladder so to speak. Someone up the food chain said that MVD could do a “Level 1” inspection on said truck and if all checks out they would provided me with the necessary paperwork to have the truck recognized as private, BUT, even armed with this paperwork it was still up to the insurance carrier to accept or not.
Well I have called three different insurance companies today and without tipping them off to my issue they all kick this one vehicle back out of my three saying “it needs a commercial policy and we don’t write commercial in AZ. In fact the last gal I spoke with today at The Hartford said “the topography of insurance for these type trucks is being re-evaluated and changes are starting to be made”. She then went on to say “it’s not just your type truck, it’s the F350 Fords and the 3500 Dodge’s” . So I said well there are hundreds of thousands of these on the road and I’m sure they don’t have commercial policy’s to which she responded “these type trucks that are used to pull travel trailers and or boats and or off road vehicles and the like are being looked into”!
I will try a few more companies to try and get a commercial policy written for it and worse case I will just leave it parked until it’s built out and non op it and later insure it as an RV (this is what the gal at MVD said to do if I don’t need it/drive it right now).

Another reason to only purchase the almighty F150.

 

[ChumpChange]

Would an unbrella policy be of any benefit to this situation? Lower cost on that veh. as well as provide a more comprehensive & complete higher level of protection to all your insured assets?

I don’t think so. For my umbrella policy, all my vehicle limits as well as homeowners limits had to be placed at the highest levels. An umbrella is not a standalone. You can’t have minimal insurance limits
and then an umbrella.