RV Model Year vs Chassis Year: Understanding the Difference (It's Normal)

Short Answer

Your 2024 Tiffin Allegro Open Road is legitimately a 2024 model year RV, even though it sits on a 2022 Ford chassis. This is completely normal in the RV industry and not dishonest on Tiffin's part. The chassis manufacturing date and the RV completion date are often different, with chassis sometimes sitting in inventory for 1-2 years before being built into completed motorhomes. Your state's DMV registration based on the chassis VIN is incorrect for resale value purposes - the actual model year should be determined by when Tiffin completed the coach, not when Ford built the chassis.

Understanding the Problem

The disconnect between your 2022 Ford chassis VIN and 2024 Tiffin model year is actually standard practice in the RV manufacturing industry. Ford and other chassis manufacturers produce bare chassis and store them in inventory until RV manufacturers like Tiffin are ready to build coaches on them. Due to supply chain disruptions, parts shortages, and production scheduling, it's common for chassis to sit for 12-24 months before being completed into finished RVs.

Your Texas DMV incorrectly registered the vehicle based solely on the chassis manufacture date rather than the coach completion date. The actual model year of your RV should be determined by when Tiffin finished building the complete motorhome, installed all systems, and issued the final manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO). This is similar to how a 2024 truck might sit on a dealer's lot into 2025 but still retains its 2024 model year designation.

The depreciation concern you're experiencing is real from a registration standpoint, but for insurance and resale purposes, RV appraisers and dealers typically recognize the coach completion date as the true model year. This means your Allegro Open Road should maintain its value as a 2024 model despite the state registration discrepancy.

What You'll Need

To correct this registration issue and protect your RV's value, you'll need to gather several key documents. First, obtain your original manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) from Tiffin, which should clearly show the 2024 model year and the date the coach was completed. You'll also need your original purchase agreement from the Tiffin Rally that specifies you bought a 2024 model.

Contact Tiffin's customer service department and request a letter of certification confirming your Allegro Open Road's actual model year based on coach completion date. Ask them to include the specific build date and explain the difference between chassis manufacture date and coach model year. You'll also want to get documentation showing when the RV was first titled and sold as a new 2024 model.

Additionally, gather any warranty documentation, as Tiffin warranties typically run from the coach completion date, not the chassis build date. Take photos of any model year designations on the coach itself, such as model plates or decals that indicate 2024. Having all this documentation will be crucial for both the DMV correction and future resale situations.

How to Fix It

Start by contacting the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to request a title correction. Explain that the vehicle was incorrectly registered based on chassis build date rather than coach model year, and provide all the documentation you've gathered from Tiffin. Many states have procedures for correcting model year errors, especially when you can prove the actual manufacturing completion date differs from component build dates.

If the Texas DMV initially resists the correction, escalate to a supervisor and reference applicable Texas Transportation Code sections that address manufacturer certificates and model year determinations. Consider consulting with a Texas attorney who specializes in automotive or RV law if the DMV refuses to make the correction, as this impacts your vehicle's value significantly.

For immediate protection of your investment, contact your insurance company and RV extended warranty provider to ensure they have the correct 2024 model year on file. Most insurance companies understand this chassis vs. coach completion date issue and will insure based on the actual model year when provided with proper documentation.

Document everything in writing and keep copies of all correspondence with both Tiffin and Texas DMV. If you plan to sell the RV in the future, having this paper trail will help explain the discrepancy to potential buyers and ensure you receive full market value for a 2024 model rather than being penalized for a 2022 registration error.

Leave It to the Experts

Consider hiring a Texas automotive attorney who specializes in title and registration issues if the DMV correction process becomes complicated. These attorneys typically charge $300-500 for simple title corrections but can save you thousands in depreciation by getting your registration corrected to reflect the proper model year. They understand the legal requirements for model year determination and can often expedite corrections that might take months if handled individually.

You might also want to consult with an RV appraiser certified by the American Society of Appraisers to get an official appraisal stating your RV's value as a 2024 model. This professional appraisal (typically costing $400-600) can serve as additional evidence for the DMV correction and will be valuable documentation for insurance claims or future sales.

If legal action becomes necessary, some attorneys specializing in consumer protection or automotive fraud might take the case on contingency if they believe Tiffin should have been more transparent about the chassis date discrepancy. However, given that this is standard industry practice, the focus should be on correcting the state registration rather than pursuing Tiffin for damages.