Free Texas RV Bill of Sale
RVs in Texas split into two regulatory tracks: motorhomes (Class A, B, C — self-propelled) follow the standard motor-vehicle path with Form 130-U at the county tax assessor-collector, 6.25% tax on SPV, and annual inspection. Travel trailers and fifth wheels follow a parallel path — they're titled and SPV-taxed if over 4,000 lbs gross, and inspected if over 4,500 lbs. Park-model trailers and very small utility trailers under 4,000 lbs are registration-only (no title). The big SPV trap on motorhomes: a 10-year-old Class A may sell for $35,000 between owners but SPV says $58,000, so tax falls on $46,400 (80% of SPV) — about a $700 difference vs. tax on the actual sale price.
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Texas RV Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6.25% Texas motor vehicle sales tax applies to motorhomes and titled trailers, calculated on the higher of sale price or 80% of Standard Presumptive Value (SPV). Travel trailers also hit SPV — TxDMV maintains separate SPV tables for trailers and motorhomes.
Exemption: Family gift transfers via Form 14-317 ($10 flat). Qualifying farm/ranch trailers may use the agricultural exemption with Form 01-924 and an Ag/Timber number.
Inspection Requirements
Motorhomes require annual safety inspection (and emissions in DFW/Houston/Austin/El Paso). Travel trailers and fifth wheels require annual safety inspection if they weigh over 4,500 lbs gross. Inspection sticker integrated with registration under Two Steps One Sticker.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County Tax Assessor-Collector — not the same agency that handles cars in Texas. Plan for separate filings.
Texas RV Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Form 130-U filed at county tax assessor-collector within 30 days of purchase
- Texas title with seller's assignment, odometer (motorhomes) and hour-meter (generator) disclosures
- Bill of sale with VIN, make, model, year, length, sleeping capacity, sale price, both signatures
- For travel trailers: confirm gross weight — over 4,000 lbs requires title; over 4,500 lbs requires inspection
- Pay 6.25% tax on higher of sale price or 80% of SPV (motorhomes and titled trailers)
- Annual safety/emissions inspection before registration under Two Steps One Sticker (motorhomes)
- Verify LP gas system inspection if motorhome — TX DPS requires safe propane systems
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming RVs are exempt from SPV — they are not; TxDMV maintains motorhome and trailer SPV tables
- Buying a travel trailer without checking gross weight — sub-4,000 lb units are registration-only and many sellers mislabel
- Missing 30-day deadline on a motorhome — same $25 fine plus 5-10% sales tax penalty as cars
- Forgetting hour-meter disclosure on the onboard generator (federal Magnuson-Moss for RVs over 16,000 lbs GVWR)
- Skipping LP-gas system inspection — propane leaks are the #1 RV insurance claim
- Buying a salvage-titled motorhome without realizing it — Texas brands "rebuilt salvage" on the title, which crushes resale
- Out-of-state RV registration tax dodge ("Montana LLC") — Texas Comptroller actively pursues residents who park MT-plated motorhomes in TX driveways and assesses back tax plus penalties
Pro Tip
RV summary: motorhomes and trailers over 4,000 lbs follow the Form 130-U/SPV/county-tax-office path — and skip the Montana LLC scheme, the Comptroller is hunting them.