Bed Rack + Tent = Passenger Vehicle?

I was wondering if anyone here in CA has tried registering the their Tacoma with a bed rack and tent permanently on it as a passenger vehicle? I looked up the CA vehicle rule book and it should technically be considered a passenger vehicle, see below.

13.110 Pickup With a Camper Attached
A “camper” is a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes (CVC §243). A canopy or similar structure mounted upon a motor vehicle for purposes of human habitation or camping purposes is considered a camper. Other equipment facilitating human habitation, such as a stove or bed, does not have to be permanently affixed to the vehicle. Do not complete a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form for human habitation facilities.

A one-axle camper is not considered a motor vehicle (CVC §243). When mounted upon a motor vehicle, the camper must have its total weight supported by the motor vehicle, independent of any axle attached permanently or temporarily to the structure. a one-axle structure that is too large to be mounted upon and fully supported by the motor vehicle independent of the axle attached to the structure is a trailer coach or camp trailer, depending on its overall length, and it must be registered separately.

Passenger Vehicle Registration—A pickup truck with a permanently attached camper or camper shell (the owner’s intention is not to remove it) meets the definition of a housecar (CVC §362) and may be registered as a passenger vehicle. Assign a body type model (BTM) “PM” (pickup with camper mounted) to the vehicle.

Adding a camper shell to a pickup truck does not necessarily constitute a change from commercial to auto registration. The addition must meet the definitions for human habitation or camping purposes. Otherwise, the vehicle may be subject to citation from law enforcement for not meeting the definition of an auto. Human habitation is defined as living space which includes, but is not limited to: closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms.

In addition to basic original or transfer requirements, the following must be submitted:

• A Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) form with the Certification of Vehicle for Human Habitation section completed to establish or retain “PM” status.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Advise the customer that removing the camper will require commercial registration and weight fees to be due.

Commercial Vehicle Registration—A pickup with a camper temporarily attached (the owner’s intention is to remove it occasionally) must be registered as a commercial vehicle and the camper (including the axle) is a load. Do not include the camper in the value of the vehicle for vehicle license fee (VLF) determination; the value is based on the pickup only.

A bus is a commercial vehicle when it is used to transport persons for hire, compensation, or profit or when bus transportation is supplied by a profit-making entity and a customer pays for the bus service as part of the overall consideration for the primary service.

Privately-Owned School Bus (PSB)—Refer to Chapter 16.

 

You probably could based on what you posted, but honest question: Why?
I looked into it and it was a $20 difference in registration. Plus you get commercial parking.

 

Is it only a 20 dollar difference? I thought it was more.

 

My tags for my 2020 came to just over 400 in menifee , my brothers without was just under 700 , same trucks same years

 

That sounds about right. Mine is a 2020 as well and my registration is about 700. I went to the DMV to try and change it over to passenger and they said no it doesn't qualify. I argued the definition of a camper in the DMV handbook but they don't seem to understand. LOL I asked for a second opinion and they said that if CHP will sign it off, they will do change it over.

 

The tent won’t qualify for it , my shell did because of how I did everything. I only have a bed rug “insulation “ and a sleeping bag and pillow lol . I did also print out the paperwork and filled most out that they didn’t need to fill out and that helped . I took three people but it got it done . The way I look at it was I knew I would have the shell on all the time anyways and the Bedrug so I might as well try . If I get caught without the shell the fines over 1k so keep that in mind if you do get it changed over .

 

Maybe for the registration or license fee, but we also pay a weight fee as a commercial vehicle which was $80 for my 2019 last year. That weight fee would come off too.

I just put a Superpacific camper on this year which should qualify especially with cabinet and fridge inside, but I haven't really considered it. Parking in commercial zones can be very useful when you live in a city : ).

 

I thought so too, that's why I looked into saving some money. This was around Sept 2019, so things could've changed in Commiefornia.

I COULD be exaggerating on the $20, but it wasn't enough savings for me to lose commercial parking in DTLA, etc.