getting a title

[Dixie722]

Hello friends, I know this topic has been here before, but i am stumped. I have a 66 model with no title, but good bill of sale. In the past, I have been able to go through Vermont to register, get a tag, and then transfer to Texas and get a title in my name. Now, not so good. I registered in Vermont, they are just great to deal with. I have a current tag,. but can/t seem to get transferred to Texas because I do not have a Vermont title. well, Vermont does not title trailers this old. I have seen posts and comments about companies that will get a title, but I have not found any info on this currently. Does anyone out there know how to do this or can lead me to a service that will do it> ? thanks, Texas is tough on this, and I want no part of the task force inspection that is now required.. I have seen first hand what can happen., A good friend went through the task force, and had to watch them actually cut his trailer to pieces. So.. help please Richard in Texas

[mimiandrews]

Have you asked your county tax assessor's office in Texas if they would accept a letter from the Vermont authorities stating that they do not title trailers that old, and that your tag is legal for Vermont? Might be the evidence they need.

What is this "task force" you've mentioned? I've lived in Texas all my life and have never heard of it.

[Dixie722]

The task force is a law enforcement agency that does inspections on vehicles with no title, or home made, or altered vehicles. Kind of like a serious inspection to comply with all road laws. If the serial, or vin number is changed, or missing , or is flagged in the system, they either impound the vehicle, or destroy it.

[markdoane]

Do you know the gross weight? If under 4000# you may be OK in Texas with just the Bill of Sale.

[Dixie722]

The weight is 3200 lb. Single axle. I went over the rules again last night, I should be able to get a title, but the DMV is not cooperating. If a trailer is older than 25 years, no title is required, but you can get one with a vin. I have done all this, and it is legally registered in Vermont, with a current license. This is why I am stumped.

[mimiandrews]

Originally Posted by Dixie722

The task force is a law enforcement agency that does inspections on vehicles with no title, or home made, or altered vehicles. Kind of like a serious inspection to comply with all road laws. If the serial, or vin number is changed, or missing , or is flagged in the system, they either impound the vehicle, or destroy it.

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/VI/taskforces.htm

This says that the task force is part of the Texas agency for environmental quality, and that they deal with changed or fraudulent vehicle VIN number situations. Unfortunately, it looks like they have a local base rather than statewide, which leaves an owner vulnerable if some power-mad "county mountie" gets involved.

I also found on the Texas Department of Public Safety website this manual for inspection of "assembled vehicles" All it says is that the vehicle must be inspected by a certified mechanic, not a state agency. It also says vehicles with an out-of-state registration are exempt.

Hope this is simpler than you think, and hope this gives you some help. Go to your county tax assessor's office (no local DMV in Texas) and ask the person who deals with vehicle titles. Human to human conversation can sometimes straighten out situations that seem complex over the phone.

Good luck.

[Dixie722]

I am going to do just that. The person who messed this up at the tax office will be avoided. One of my best friends is a local judge, and he is going with me.. he has friends in the tax office.I am trying this again.. tomorrow afternoon. Will post results. thanks for helping. I did see one company that will get you a title.. 895.00. gee,

[Lumatic]

I have found when dealing with DMV if you don't get the answer you want get on a different line and you will get a different answer.

I went through a similar battle with NM DMV about putting a YOM (year of manufacture) tag on my 71. The state regs say you can put a YOM plate on a motor vehicle. The local DMV said a trailer doesn't have a motor so you can't. I asked a state legislator to intervene who contacted the state head of DMV which got results.

[Shacksman]

Why would you not just keep it registered in Vermont? Is there some benefit to getting a Texas title?

[Dixie722]

Oh what a difference a day makes. My friend the judge went with me today to tax office. Could not have been easier, so what happened before just shows you that it depends on who you get as to how easy it is. now I have a Texas registered and licensed trailer with title on the way. Thanks for helping.. hope maybe this helps someone else. I highly recommend going through Vermont. for any registration.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Glad to hear that you were able to work this out!

Maine is another option for registering a trailer. I did this twice for trailers that I bought in NY State that had no title, just a bill of sale. It worked fine for importing into Canada and getting a licence in Ontario.