$BillOfSale.app

Free Tennessee RV Bill of Sale

Tennessee titles motorized RVs and trailers through the same county-clerk system used for passenger vehicles, but the dollar amounts, layered sales tax, and complexity of pre-purchase inspection make RV transactions higher-stakes. A bill of sale is not on the Department of Revenue's titling list (Form RV-F1301201 is only for gifts, low-price sales, and relative transfers), so a thorough purchase agreement covering propane certification, awning condition, slide-out function, and roof history is what actually protects the buyer.

Tennessee Requirements: A notary is needed only in some situations. Tennessee sets no fixed day count: title and register the vehicle before driving it on a public road; the 30 days on the DOR site is for new residents. 7% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

RV Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Motorhomes title like motor vehicles; towable trailers title like trailers — and the paperwork differs for each. Our RV guide covers lien holder procedures, what to do with an active loan balance, the Montana-LLC question, and how RV registration deadlines work. Read: RV Bill of Sale: Free Template & State Rules →

Tennessee RV Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Not on the TN Department of Revenue title document list — a record for buyer and seller
Agency
TN DOR
Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services Division
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
7%
Title Required
Yes
Motorhomes and travel trailers are titled and registered in Tennessee using the same county clerk title application as cars. Motorized RVs (Class A, B, C) get a motor vehicle title. Travel trailers, fifth wheels, and pop-ups get a trailer title. Truck campers (slide-in) are NOT titled — they're considered cargo and ride on the truck's registration.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

RV purchases follow Tennessee's layered sales tax: 7% state on full price, 2.75% single-article on the $1,600.01-$3,200 tier, and local option tax (~2.25%-2.75%) on the first $1,600. On a $60,000 motorhome, total tax including local option runs roughly $5,825-$5,875 depending on county. Plus county wheel tax on motorized RVs at registration.

Exemption: Transfers between spouses, siblings, and lineal relatives, and gifts without consideration, are exceptions documented on the RV-F1301201 affidavit (no notary block). Out-of-state RVs that have been owned and titled by the buyer in another state for at least 90 days before the move to TN may avoid sales tax under the use-tax credit rules.

Inspection Requirements

No safety or emissions inspection. RVs over 10,000 lbs GVWR may be subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules if used commercially. Buyers should still arrange an independent RV inspection ($300-$800) given the structural, electrical, plumbing, and propane systems involved.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County Clerk in the buyer's county of residence — not the same agency that handles cars in Tennessee. Plan for separate filings.

Tennessee RV Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Record full VIN, year, make, model, length, GVWR, and class (A/B/C motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, pop-up)
  2. Document mileage on motorized units and engine hours on generator
  3. Inventory all included systems: propane tanks (and cert dates), batteries, solar, inverter, awnings, slide-outs, A/C units, water heater, furnace
  4. Note included accessories: hitches, weight-distribution gear, leveling blocks, sewer hoses, tools, manuals
  5. Record the exact purchase price on the bill of sale; a gift, a sale at 75% or less of fair market value, or a relative transfer also needs Form RV-F1301201
  6. Seller signs over the title (motorhome or trailer title) with odometer disclosure on motorized units
  7. Buyer titles and registers at the county clerk before driving on public roads, with the assigned title, ID and residency proof, proof of insurance, and payment for tax + wheel tax + registration

Common Pitfalls

  • Skipping the professional RV inspection — water damage and delamination are catastrophic and not visible to a casual buyer; budget $300-$800 for a NRVIA-certified inspector
  • Forgetting that propane tanks must be recertified every 12 years (DOT cylinders) or 10 years (ASME tanks) — uncertified tanks can't legally be filled
  • Underestimating the layered sales tax on a $50K-$150K RV — many buyers budget for 7% and discover at the clerk's window they owe closer to 9.5% combined
  • Buying a salvage or rebuilt-title RV without disclosure — Tennessee brands these titles but the brand transfers with the unit and crushes resale value
  • Not arranging a roof inspection — RV roofs need resealing every 1-2 years; deferred maintenance leads to interior water damage that can total a unit
  • Assuming the seller will deliver the RV — TN does not require the seller to transport, and moving a 40-foot diesel pusher from another state can run $2,000-$5,000

Pro Tip

Tennessee's county-clerk titling system handles RVs efficiently, but the layered sales tax, lack of state inspections, and complexity of RV systems mean the real protection comes from the purchase contract and an independent inspection — not the state paperwork. A detailed bill of sale plus a NRVIA inspection report is the combination that closes deals safely.

Tennessee RV Bill of Sale — FAQs

How much sales tax will I actually pay on an RV purchase in Tennessee?
Tennessee's layered tax adds up. On a $75,000 Class C motorhome, you pay 7% state tax on the full price ($5,250), plus the single-article tax of 2.75% on the portion from $1,600.01 to $3,200 ($44), plus local option tax of about 2.25%-2.75% on the first $1,600 ($36-$44). Total comes to roughly $5,330-$5,338, before county wheel tax and registration fees. The single-article tax cap means you don't pay 9.75% on the entire purchase — once you're past $3,200, only the 7% state rate applies to the rest.
Is a motorhome titled differently from a travel trailer?
Yes. Class A, B, and C motorhomes are titled as motor vehicles and require a motor vehicle title with odometer disclosure, vehicle registration, and county wheel tax. Travel trailers, fifth wheels, and pop-up campers are titled as trailers — they get a trailer title and trailer registration but no odometer disclosure (because they have no engine). Truck campers (slide-in units) are not titled at all in Tennessee — they're considered cargo and travel under the truck's registration. The bill of sale should clearly state which category applies.
I'm moving to Tennessee with an RV titled in another state — do I owe TN sales tax?
Generally no, if you've owned and registered the RV in another state for at least 90 days before becoming a TN resident. Tennessee gives a use-tax credit for sales tax already paid in your prior state, and most states' rates are close enough to TN's that the credit zeroes out the bill. You'll still owe Tennessee title and registration fees plus the county wheel tax. Bring your prior state's title, registration, and proof of sales tax paid (often shown on the original bill of sale) to your TN county clerk within 30 days of establishing residency.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used RV?
Absolutely yes for any RV over $15,000 or older than 5 years. The National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA) certifies inspectors specifically for RVs. A typical inspection runs $300-$800 depending on size and depth (Level 1 is visual; Level 2 includes fluid analysis and propane leak-down testing). The inspector checks roof seals, slide-out function, A/C performance, water system pressure-test, propane integrity, electrical 30/50-amp testing, generator load test, brakes (on towables), and chassis. The cost is trivial compared to discovering a $20,000 hidden roof leak after the sale closes.
Do I need a special license to drive a motorhome in Tennessee?
For non-commercial personal use, no. Tennessee allows drivers with a standard Class D license to operate any motorhome regardless of size or weight, as long as it's used for personal/recreational purposes (not commercial). This is more permissive than some states which require a non-commercial Class A or B for motorhomes over 26,000 lbs GVWR. If you're towing a vehicle behind a motorhome, the combined weight still needs to fit within your license class — but for the motorhome itself, your regular driver's license is sufficient. Insurance carriers often require proof of an RV safety course before they'll write a policy on a 40-foot diesel pusher, even if the state doesn't.

Other Tennessee Templates

Vehicle Bill of SaleCar Bill of SaleUsed Car Bill of SaleMotorcycle Bill of SaleBoat Bill of SaleTrailer Bill of SaleHorse Bill of SaleATV Bill of SaleGun / Firearm Bill of SaleGeneral Bill of SaleFree Printable Bill of SaleOdometer Disclosure Bill of SaleAs-Is Bill of SaleGift Bill of Sale

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