MO rules on RV conversion

[NannieNPoppie]

where do you live? We can almost throw a rock and hit Arkansas ourselves. ��

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by NannieNPoppie

Hey I have a question. Do they consider a composting toilet or camp toilet ok?

Most states allow a compost toilet to meet that requirement. Keep in mind only 4 of the 6 items are required, so a toilet is not mandatory.

[NannieNPoppie]

Thank you ��

[whiskey runner]

hi.. poppie.. i live in a small town called longrun.. it is near theodosia about 40 miles east of branson..

[sportyrick]

MODOT wants to see your bus physically to check out your conversion, if passed they will rivet the new VIN to the inside of your bus next to the old one. Then you will go see the other part of the conversion, the title makers. They sit in a chair and scrutinize your information for stolen items, truthfulness, accuracy, etc, they don't look at the bus physically. Bring lots of receipts and pics and not for the little stuff: toilet, shower, generator, bed, windows, furnace, etc, especially if you paid for help on any of the conversion. They don't care about engine, tranny, rearend, tires, paint job, just conversion stuff that will change yours into an RV. Think of it like this, it's a pissn contest on who can be the cruelest of the 48 states on rejection of home made RV conversions. Cool bus by the way!

[whiskey runner]

i am in the middle if a re-model on my bus.. when finished i would like to get it changed to a RV title instead of the bus.. as far as the paperwork i will need to do it, most of the rv specific items i used to build mine came from my old itasca motorhome that i scraped out several years ago, plus some used items i found here and there.. most everything else on the bus i hand fabricated so it is going to be hard to show receipts.. i guess my home depot and wheeler metal supply receipts will work for some.. will find out i guess when i decide to do it ...

[sportyrick]

you got friends, I had to be creative on them, think about it. Mine was the same way, a lot of donations from wrecked RV's so no receipts so we generated a few.

[Gnoman]

Originally Posted by NannieNPoppie

Hey I have a question. Do they consider a composting toilet or camp toilet ok?

Not sure, I've had my bus ready for the Missouri highway patrol inspection for 2 months now, have had to cancel inspection twice now . Still waiting to receive my title from DOR, which I should receive around Xmas then earliest appointment for STL highway patrol is round January 7th.. I built my own composting toilet and have done kinda bare minimum to meet criteria before I strip everything out and do my roof raise.. can update ya upon inspection results..

[sportyrick]

So you are waiting on your bus title and ready to surrender it to MODOT after inspection? I think your plan is good, get the RV title then reconstruct with raised roof afterwards, that will get you on the road and cheaper insurance.

[Gnoman]

Originally Posted by sportyrick

So you are waiting on your bus title and ready to surrender it to MODOT after inspection? I think your plan is good, get the RV title then reconstruct with raised roof afterwards, that will get you on the road and cheaper insurance.

Correct, I'll try to post some pics of my progress tomorrow. Have mounted genny to underside 120V electricity (1), screwed down some pallets for bed (2), table with microwave and single camping propane stove utilizing last two school bus seats for permanent eating area (3) with large cooler stabilized (framed out on the floor to prevent movement but not permanently attached), self-built composting toilet (with urine separator, pretty proud of it actually but will swap out for Natures Head..) (4), suspended water jug above sink with bucket underneath for water (5) and have a couple of small electric heaters I can plug into genny for heat (6)..

Been in Texas for the past month with 80 degree weather and sewed up some magnets into curtains for moveable walls just to make it seem less 'thrown together'.. submitted title app for Bus title 11/5/19, called DOR last Wednesday and they said it should be processed in the next 10 business days.. even though last time I called they said I shouldve gotten it 3 weeks ago from today so we'll see.. heading back to MO this week and can provide up to date photos then.. Have bus out in a storage yard near Foristell now.

Was 'lucky' to get in an accident with my Honda 5 months ago where a drunk guy with a CDL A hit me... I didnt file a police report, saving his job, so he's going to be driving the bus to the inspection for me so I dont get ticketed

But yes, highway patrol requires title in hand for the inspection. Need to check with them to see if I can drive it after inspection with just a class F license or if I have to wait till they actually install the new VIN..

[Gnoman]

Also, from what I've been told. The receipts for the conversion will be examined at the highway patrol during inspection and not at Jeff city...

[NannieNPoppie]

Hello, we are about 60 miles west of Branson in Seligman.

[whiskey runner]

looks like everyone is getting their bus titled as a rv.. i have not done it in the 18 years i have had the bus.. because i dont pay much for insurance, i only have the bare minimum of liability on all of my trucks. the bus is the cheapest of the 5 vehicles i have insured right now.. i have even thought about checking into haggerty collector car insurance for it..

poppie i have been over seligman area a few times buying old cars.. nice area..

i guess i can come up with enough receipts to keep big brother happy if i do decide to go the rv title route..

[Gnoman]

Mission Accomplished!

My temporary installations were sufficient to pass the highway patrol inspection in STL. Everything was very basic and the inspector just wanted to check the items off the list. Only thing he noted to me was that I hadn't removed the wordage of 'stop when red lights flash' on the rear. Still passed it (1/14/2020).

I had an acquaintance with a CDL A drive the bus to the inspection for me but upon arrival I was not questioned regarding my inadequate licensing to drive the commercial vehicle. The inspector also said that upon my return for the VIN installation, he would not be doing any sort of inspection at that point, just VIN installing.

I then took my passing 551 form to Jefferson City for the DOR to grill me and was pleasantly surprised (1/15/2020). The agent said she only required 4 receipts of the items used for the conversion. I had receipts attached to photos of all items, including hardware for the propane box I built. She made copies of 4 receipts (big ticket items mainly) and photos and I was shown the new VIN placard immediately.

I'm currently waiting to receive my call from the highway patrol to say "bring the bus here for your new VIN". In Jeff City I was told it was being mailed the following day so hopeful that I will get my call this week or next.

I did not wait for them to replace the VIN to start my demo for my final build. Not sure how much, if any, they'll chew me out for bringing back an RV that does not look like what they initially inspected (completely gutted). Will update once that happens..

One recommendation, just keep a good attitude with everyone and do your research for requirements prior and it shouldn't be too much of a PITA. One minor difference I noted on requirements than previously stated was the form I received did not include a 'required' fire extinguisher rated 2A 10B:C. Not sure if the inspector checked for it, but positive he did not check the rating (original bus extinguisher was not 2A 10B:C so I replaced it).

Will add photos of installations shortly (have to adjust image sizes..).

Hope they don't make a fuss about the current situation (will tidy it up before trekking back for the VIN installation):

[Gnoman]

Document received from highway patrol:

[Gnoman]

Sufficient installations examples:

[Gnoman]

Originally Posted by Gnoman

Also, from what I've been told. The receipts for the conversion will be examined at the highway patrol during inspection and not at Jeff city...

Highway patrol did take a gander at these, but DOR is where the magic happens..

[brokedown]

That's a surprising mount of effort compared to Florida rules! All I had to do was bring a letter stating that I added 110v electric and a weight slip.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by brokedown

That's a surprising mount of effort compared to Florida rules! All I had to do was bring a letter stating that I added 110v electric and a weight slip.

They don't even make me weigh em anymore. They just ask me what to put in for the weight.

[bigskypc50]

I would not expect MO, to be that tough on getting it changed over. Sounds like something one of the New England states or CA would pull.

There is an added benefit, look Mr RV park it's a brand new unit, here is the reg.. No 10 year rule problems there.