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star kitty · 03-03-2014, 10:55 AM

Hello.

Quite a few vintage trailers get bid on and sold on Ebay without clear titles.

Are there different regulations around the country in terms of titling a vehicle so you can tow it on public roads?

I live in Colorado and you can't get a registration or plates until you have title. Maybe people are using these as yard art? Or maybe rules vary around the country.

Any thoughts?

Denis4x4 · 03-03-2014, 11:04 AM

You can get a bonded title in Colorado on trailers as well as homebuilt cars.

Too, you can get the CHP to come to your house and for $25 they'll give you a VIN verification document that you'll need to start the process.

This car has a Colorado bonded title.

wahoonc · 03-03-2014, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by star kitty

Hello.

Quite a few vintage trailers get bid on and sold on Ebay without clear titles.

Are there different regulations around the country in terms of titling a vehicle so you can tow it on public roads?

I live in Colorado and you can't get a registration or plates until you have title. Maybe people are using these as yard art? Or maybe rules vary around the country.

Any thoughts?

Laws vary from state to state, some are easier to deal with than others. Some require titles, some will go with a bill of sale, some don't even require a license for a trailer.

Aaron

star kitty · 03-03-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Laws vary from state to state, some are easier to deal with than others. Some require titles, some will go with a bill of sale, some don't even require a license for a trailer.

Aaron

So someone can purchase a trailer with a bill of sale and travel around on public roads?

Cool.

Denis4x4 · 03-03-2014, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by star kitty

So someone can purchase a trailer with a bill of sale and travel around on public roads?

Cool.

Not in Colorado! There are 50 different laws regarding vehicle registration laws and Colorado is much easier to deal with than, say, California.

Quite frankly, you should call the DMV.

wahoonc · 03-03-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by star kitty

So someone can purchase a trailer with a bill of sale and travel around on public roads?

Cool.

Depends on the state. And it may or may not fly when you cross state lines.

Aaron

damonbeals · 03-03-2014, 01:07 PM

The seller needs to do his job and provide you with a title. As the 'owner' they should have a title, if not you don't even know if it's stolen or anything about it's past. Most states have some method for providing a duplicate title or title recover. I know most sellers are too lazy to do this.

Damon
#4827

ND10CentCan · 03-03-2014, 02:27 PM

Speaking from my experience in ND, don't try this at home. We went through all kinds of hassles and it just isn't worth it. ND is really tough to work with unless you are the last registered owner or have their signature. I get that some people are crooks but I just about gave up after four months of trying. Luckily I didn't and we finally got our title. Now my first question to a potential AS lead is "Do you have the title in your name????" If the answer is anything but yes, I walk.
Sandy

dkrug · 03-03-2014, 03:22 PM

We bought a very old Spartan Manor. No title as trailer was on the property when the new owners bought it. Here in Michigan all we need is a bill of sale and a certified weight.

**Stefrobrts** · 03-03-2014, 03:37 PM

I think a lot of sellers won't get a title because they are 'flipping' it and don't want to put the title/registration in their name for tax purposes (they don't want the government to know they are running a business).

I have bought two boats without titles, and both times I was able to get the DMV to issue me a title after sending certified letters to the last registered owner, which were returned unopened or not responded to. There was a risk the owner could say 'hey, that boat was stolen from em years ago', and take it back. Luckily they both worked out. But in those cases I only had a couple hundred dollars on the line. For anything more valuable, there's no way I would buy any vehicle without a valid title.

Condoluminum · 03-03-2014, 03:47 PM

Flashback to fraud work at the credit union...

Colorado DMV's work County by County, so you might find a cooperative county or might get stuck in a bad one.. Kind of depends on their mood and workload..

Calif. and many states will issue a title if prior is missing through combination of posting a bond (forfeited AND you have to pay Bonding Co face value to cover if title-holder comes forward and claims the vehicle...), and sending letters to last address of prior title holders.. I belong to vintage motorcycle club, and same issue hits them all the time, and they get titles and registration/plates eventually...

There are "easier states" like Nevada or Georgia or South Dakota, I believe, where you could start and get new title done with inspection, mail address and perhaps some proof of insurance.. Much easier then to transfer and register in home state...

**GCinSC2** · 03-03-2014, 05:38 PM

I think I looked at a couple of these adds, also noticed IIRC that they were the 1st post for the seller.

Ganaraska · 03-03-2014, 06:10 PM

Best answer might be to check with the DMV where you are, and find out how hard it is to get a new registration. Then, reduce the price of the trailer as you see fit.

Be sure you get a bill of sale and, it would be wise to check that the unit is not stolen before you hand over the money.

perryg114 · 03-03-2014, 06:24 PM

As far as I know, they won't let you title a trailer or car over a certain age in Alabama. You do have to have a registration in your name and a bill of sale. I would rather have a title. The original title was signed over to me but I can't get a new title here. If you live in a fly by night redneck state like I do, you should be able to get a title in the destination state with the registration and bill of sale. There maybe a form the seller will have to fill out as well.

Perry

GAStreamin · 06-05-2014, 07:05 PM

We sold our "vintage" trailer on ebay with no title. We could not get a new title here in South Georgia. We had tag registration and bill of sale. The new owner researched what would need to be done in his state, Indiana. I think it was something similar to what Perry described.

amysemmens · 06-05-2014, 07:46 PM

Anyone know what CA laws are? I'm trying to get a title for a trailer I'm exporting to Melbourne and am going round in circles with different info all over the place!

Totoro · 06-06-2014, 06:45 AM

I know this is an old thread, but let me tell you that it was an absolute nightmare getting a clear title in Ohio. We had to petition the court and file alot of paperwork. If anyone is having trouble with this in Ohio you can message me, and I will offer some advice.

TheOhioSean · 06-06-2014, 07:56 AM

Yes, please provide information regarding how to deal with this in Ohio. I've only got a bill of sale for my vintage Airstream and am having trouble obtaining a title.

Totoro · 06-06-2014, 06:09 PM

I am on vacation this week through the next. There's too much to write via my smartphone. I'll look through my paperwork when I get home so I can make a list.

trapperman33 · 06-06-2014, 06:48 PM

I talked to a judge here in ohio, he told me to take a notorized bill of sale to a lawyer, he would do a title search, then take it to the judge, the judge would have a title issued. cost about $250.00 to $300.00. It may depend on the county.