If it had been recently licensed and the serial numbers matched it would be highly unlikely to have been reported stolen. IMO. But they still need to give you a title.
My PO furnished me with a title but it was in someone else's name and they had signed the release. He had never transferred it in 14 years. However, I kinda had to invent a signature on one piece of paper. (Did I really admit that!)
If it had been recently licensed and the serial numbers matched it would be highly unlikely to have been reported stolen. IMO. But they still need to give you a title.
My PO furnished me with a title but it was in someone else's name and they had signed the release. He had never transferred it in 14 years. However, I kinda had to invent a signature on one piece of paper. (Did I really admit that!)
I didn't see you admit anything.
In the case of THIS trailer, it definitely has not been recently licensed. In fact, I don't think it has been licensed in over a decade. The current owner bought it to flip it, and the previous owner had it for 15 years or so. The current owner has two Bills of Sale from previous transactions going back to 1993, and my guess is that it was never licensed/registered with either of those Bills of Sale.
These are case-in-point examples where the trouble seems to be that the purchaser has failed to demand a proper transfer of titles in order to avoid payment of the fees. Perhaps that's understandable but saving the expense of registration and title transfer fees doesn't excuse the mistake of not demanding the seller's title at the time of sale. At some point in the sequence of possession a purchaser took possession on a bill of sale only from a seller who obviously didn't have a title. And that's where the trouble arises and is the reason for demanding a proper title if you're the purchaser.
Vernon's case is a contrary example where the seller obviously had a title but merely didn't transferred it. As the new purchaser, Vernon, took possession of the trailer and the title. The point is the seller had a title and gave it to the new purchaser. Marcus, hopefully your seller can take his documentation to the tax assessor in his jurisdiction, explain the situation, and they will issue a title which he can transfer to you. It really is his burden to prove a marketable title. Otherwise, as we have said, you purchase at your own risk and end with his trouble.
What's up with these Airstream owners not having titles to their rigs anyway?
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Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
From comments on this thread, comments on the Texas title thread I referenced earlier, coments on other title/registration threads on this Forum, and other research I've performed, it seems like in many states it's simply not a big deal at all not to have a title for a travel trailer.
In those states it is either a simple matter to obtain a title for a travel trailer, or a title is not required for registration of the trailer. As you pointed out, you've purchased utility trailers that did not require titling, and I also have a 4x8 utility trailer that is registered without a title.
But in Texas at least, travel trailers are expected to have titles in order to obtain proper registration, the suspected erroneous comments of the representatives of my local tax assessor/collector notwithstanding.
So I'm going to continue to push for the title. I think I could do the deal without one, but the seller seems agreeable to my request so far, and it will make it a lot easier for me, and likely save me some money too. I'll update tonight when he calls me with his findings. I've also asked him to check with his local garage to see how much they'd charge to replace the tires and re-pack the bearings ahead of time so that I don't need to do it on my own time once I get there.
Beyond that, my intention is to "Hook On And Roll" as many of you adventurous folks have advised.
From comments on this thread, comments on the Texas title thread I referenced earlier, coments on other title/registration threads on this Forum, and other research I've performed, it seems like in many states it's simply not a big deal at all not to have a title for a travel trailer.
In those states it is either a simple matter to obtain a title for a travel trailer, or a title is not required for registration of the trailer. As you pointed out, you've purchased utility trailers that did not require titling, and I also have a 4x8 utility trailer that is registered without a title.
But in Texas at least, travel trailers are expected to have titles in order to obtain proper registration, the suspected erroneous comments of the representatives of my local tax assessor/collector notwithstanding.
So I'm going to continue to push for the title. I think I could do the deal without one, but the seller seems agreeable to my request so far, and it will make it a lot easier for me, and likely save me some money too. I'll update tonight when he calls me with his findings. I've also asked him to check with his local garage to see how much they'd charge to replace the tires and re-pack the bearings ahead of time so that I don't need to do it on my own time once I get there.
Beyond that, my intention is to "Hook On And Roll" as many of you adventurous folks have advised.
-Marcus
Technically speaking, you could probably do the deal because, as you have suggested, the trailer is under 4,000 pounds which is probably why the tax assessor clerk asked you that question.
On the other hand, the Transporation Code specifically states: "the owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state may not operate or permit the operation of the vehicle on a public highway until the owner obtains a certificate of title."
So a certificate of title is required for motor vehicles. What then is a motor vehicle under the law?
The transportation code defines a motor vehicle, among other descriptions, as: "a trailer or semitrailer, other than manufactured housing, that has a gross weight that exceeds 4,000 pounds."
So it would seem that trailers in excess of 4,000 pounds are required by law to have certificates of titles and those less than 4,000 pounds need only be registered or licensed.
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Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
I just found that this thread was of interest to me today (the longer I'm here, the more interesting all you A/S'ers become). I'd have been glad to have gone over to Rockport to look at that trailer, my wife & I only need an excuse to go eat at Charlotte Plummer's and dig up some friends of ours over there.
Yes Todd, I think you have dug through the statutes enough to find a curious loophole.
But better safe than sorry, right?
Marcus I know you're following the Getting titles in Texas thread but recent post number 47 there needs to be considered in light of what we have been discussing here too. I wouldn't put too much hope in getting the trailer in under this exception. You could try but who knows. Much better to give this seller a chance to untangle things from his jurisdiction. Keep in mind if he's finding it difficult then it's going to be equally if not more difficult for you.
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Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
I wish I could remember the name of the clerk I spoke to on the phone-- since she obviously think it's okay to register a <4000lb travel trailer without the title, I could probably go straight to her at the tax office and get it taken care of pronto!
I wish I could remember the name of the clerk I spoke to on the phone-- since she obviously think it's okay to register a <4000lb travel trailer without the title, I could probably go straight to her at the tax office and get it taken care of pronto!
You better hurry on down there my friend!
__________________
Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
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