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RoamingHappy · 01-25-2018, 01:31 PM

Asking for help or advice from people with experience.

I messed up. I bought a 1989 25' Excella from wholesale auction.
Its in great shape! Nothing wrong with it!!

But it has a Certificate of Destruction from Florida. Cant understand why the insurance company did that.

No flood damage.
No collision damage.
No bio-hazard.
Just a couple of very minor scratches and the clear coat is faded on top.

But, now Im stuck. I live in Georgia. In Georgia, I cant get it registered.

Georgia: Anything newer than 1985 must be titled
Georgia: having it inspected won't help.

Where can I get a similar frame to transfer the body?

What can I do? I'd like to keep it and use it.

Help!

Bigventure · 01-25-2018, 02:55 PM

It all depends on your states rules. I see people making this expensive mistake all the time. There’s one in the Airstream classified right now.

Best thing to do is check with GA BMV. There will definitely be hoops to jump though.
Florida trailer titles are not notarized either.

xrvr · 01-25-2018, 03:02 PM

This will not help the op but the first thing one needs to do when looking at a used trailer is ask if there is a title and can you see it. If not, then walk away, not worth the hassle. The trailer could be stolen or have a salvage title amot other things. Wholesale auction may be buyer beware, good luck.

Bigventure · 01-25-2018, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrvr

This will not help the op but the first thing one needs to do when looking at a used trailer is ask if there is a title and can you see it. If not, then walk away, not worth the hassle. The trailer could be stolen or have a salvage title amot other things. Wholesale auction may be buyer beware, good luck.

Salvage titles are not an issue at all. It just requires a few more steps. It all depends on your particular state.

xrvr · 01-25-2018, 03:18 PM

Then why would not the seller get a regular title? If a salvage title is not a problem.

dwhitake · 01-25-2018, 03:30 PM

Make it a custom trailer and have new tags made along with the title. We do this all the time when we build trailers. Just rivet a new tag over the old frame number.

Bigventure · 01-25-2018, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrvr

Then why would not the seller get a regular title? If a salvage title is not a problem.

It is the way the system works. Most times an insurance company pays out on some damage that creates a total loss. After that it carries a branded salvage title. It is a regular title, transferable just like normal, but is stamped salvage. It’s just so the next buyer knows is was damaged at some point in its life.

But, not all state recognize salvage titles. They call them something else. Rebuilt as an example.

It all depends on your states laws. A motor vehicle with a salvage title is treated differently. There are safety issues and it need different inspection to be put back on the road.

tjdonahoe · 01-25-2018, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoamingHappy

Asking for help or advice from people with experience.

I messed up. I bought a 1989 25' Excella from wholesale auction.
Its in great shape! Nothing wrong with it!!

But it has a Certificate of Destruction from Florida. Cant understand why the insurance company did that.

No flood damage.
No collision damage.
No bio-hazard.
Just a couple of very minor scratches and the clear coat is faded on top.

But, now Im stuck. I live in Georgia. In Georgia, I cant get it registered.

Georgia: Anything newer than 1985 must be titled
Georgia: having it inspected won't help.

Where can I get a similar frame to transfer the body?

What can I do? I'd like to keep it and use it.

Help!

Use it... borrow a plate...no problem unless you have an accident.......

Mike1997 · 01-26-2018, 09:48 AM

I lived in GA few years ago and had a friend dealing with a salvage title from LA on a Jeep he bought. He had a bill of sale from the person who sold it so took only that to county tag office and applied for a "Lost Title". They did inspect the Jeep to verify the serial number and he had some extra fees to pay got tag and title issued.

They were more concerned about the mileage and sale price cause he had to pay tax based on the price sold.

banderabob · 01-26-2018, 10:11 AM

I might tend to agree with tjdonahoe, at least until you can figure out a legal way. And hope you don’t get stopped.

fwjumper · 01-26-2018, 10:38 AM

Does it have a salvage title? I have dealt with salvage trailers in GA. They are handled differently than cars or trucks. If it has a FL salvage title, you can make it work. If not, I'm not sure, but I'll do some checking.

fwjumper · 01-26-2018, 10:49 AM

Also, be sure to check the frame, especially around the axles. Sometimes they are salvaged or "destroyed" by frame damage after hitting a big bump. In order for that to happen, the frame would probably have suffered some significant rust prior to the big bump. Insurance companies will sometimes pay in those cases. If you don't see severe frame rust or separation, them I'm sure that's not the issue, in fact I doubt if that is the issue, but check to make sure before you allocate any more effort/cash.

HowieE · 01-26-2018, 11:02 AM

You did not state Why Ga. will not register the trailer.
I built a car from scratch and NJ registered the car. All a state wants is the Money.

See what the reconstructed vehicle regs are in Ga.

As for insurance the trailer is covered for liability under the TV insurance. If you are considering the remounting the body on another frame your cost n the trailer can't be that high and just consider going self insured for loss, That has o be close to or less than remounting the body.

harryk · 01-26-2018, 01:49 PM

Curious what you paid, (if this is to personal I understand...please do not be offended. ) as if all goes bad with the title thing you can always part it out. For example, I would buy the front rock guards, the drivers side awnings, the shower pan, and much more. Just saying...

TruckerFritz · 01-26-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwhitake

Make it a custom trailer and have new tags made along with the title. We do this all the time when we build trailers. Just rivet a new tag over the old frame number.

My thought also.. there are re-manufactured trailers and motor home on the road today that were junk just a short time ago.. bought a top for a E250 years ago, went to the factory, junk vans of all makes in one side.. beautiful Van-Campers out the other with zero odometers and new VINs...

xrvr · 01-26-2018, 02:33 PM

Simple answer. I googled cert of destruction in florida. It is issued for a water damaged vehicle. Cannot be titled or registered in florida. Can be exported or parted out. Do not know how Ga will handle it.. Also a dealer has to notify the buyer of this. Not the same as a salvage title a cert of des means the vehicle must be destroyed. Hope i am wrong on this.

mayco · 01-26-2018, 03:02 PM

Here ya go......

http://www.ebay.com/gds/TITLES-FOR-A...2179624/g.html

There is always a way to get it done so you're not stuck in the mud, this is only one.

xrvr · 01-26-2018, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayco

Here ya go......

http://www.ebay.com/gds/TITLES-FOR-A...2179624/g.html

There is always a way to get it done so you're not stuck in the mud, this is only one.

I think in this case it was filed in florida. The state may have it on record.

bibbs · 01-26-2018, 04:20 PM

Try "international title service' a few years ago it cost me $350. Took about 10 days

wildhorses · 01-26-2018, 08:38 PM

In NC a "certificate of destruction" means just that, must be destroyed, cannot be titled. I have bought a few over the years and never had any luck getting them titled ever again. We have Salvage titles but this is one step past that, the vehicle is considered 'junk'.

FWIW - VA has certs of destruction as well - I bought a corvette that hit a deer and only needed a windshield - no idea why it must be destroyed.