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San Diego, California Travel Trailer Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a travel trailer in San Diego, California. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

San Diego, CaliforniaTravel TrailerPopulation rank #8

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Travel Trailer VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — San Diego County

DMV / Title Office

DMV San Diego – Clairemont Mesa Office

Address

4375 Derrick Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

Phone

(800) 777-0133

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM)

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

7.75%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

California state base 7.25% + San Diego County district tax 0.50%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

California does not require notarization. Seller must sign the title and submit a Notice of Transfer (REG 138) within 5 days of sale.

San Diego Transfer Checklist

  • Submit Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) to CA DMV within 5 days of sale
  • Seller signs title over to buyer; buyer has 10 days to transfer title at DMV
  • Smog certificate required for most vehicles older than 4 model years
  • Report of Sale form (REG 343) available as alternative to written bill of sale

County Information — San Diego County

County Clerk / Recorder

San Diego County Recorder

Phone

(619) 237-0502

Travel Trailer market data and safety information

The most common travel trailer makes in private-party sales are Forest River, Jayco, Keystone, Coachmen, Grand Design. Average private-party travel trailer prices range from $10,000–$80,000. Travel trailers average 3.5 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Propane/LP Gas, Electrical, Axle/Suspension.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used travel trailer

Before completing a travel trailer bill of sale in California, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect roof and seams for water intrusion — use a moisture meter on walls and floor
  • Check propane system and all LP-fueled appliances
  • Verify slide-out operation and seal condition
  • Test water heater, furnace, and AC in all operating modes

Travel Trailer insurance and depreciation in California

Travel trailer insurance averages $500–$1,500/year. Full-timer coverage costs more. Travel trailers lose 40–50% in 5 years. Airstream and Grand Design models retain value above average. Peak season for private travel trailer sales is late winter to early spring (january–march), with an average of 45 days on market.

Travel Trailer registration and titling

Travel Trailers are classified as "Travel trailer / Recreational trailer (separate from motorhome registration)" for registration purposes. Dry weight and GVWR determine tow vehicle requirements. Tongue weight should be 10–15% of loaded trailer weight. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to travel trailers.

Travel Trailer sales in San Diego, California

San Diego residents completing a travel trailer bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to California state rules. The state sales tax rate is 7.25%, 7.25% base; county/city adds 0.25–3.25% (total up to 10.75%). The most popular travel trailer makes in California include Forest River, Jayco, Keystone.

California bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 14,217 bill of sale documents for California transactions, with 382 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is San Diego in, and which office handles title transfers?

San Diego is in San Diego County. Title transfers are handled by the DMV San Diego – Clairemont Mesa Office at 4375 Derrick Dr, San Diego, CA 92117. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM). Phone: (800) 777-0133.

What is the sales tax rate on a travel trailer sale in San Diego?

The combined rate is 7.75%. California state base 7.25% + San Diego County district tax 0.50%.

Is notarization required for a travel trailer bill of sale in San Diego?

No. California does not require notarization. Seller must sign the title and submit a Notice of Transfer (REG 138) within 5 days of sale.

What fees should I expect when transferring a travel trailer title in San Diego?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 7.75% is collected at the time of title transfer.