Acquiring a title/registration

[zBelz]

Hi all, I’m new to this forum, I’m from NY and am currently looking for a airstream to completely renovate. The only problem with this is many people with the old gutted airstreams don’t have a title, does anyone know if you can get a new title if you have the serial number from airstream themselves? If not does anyone know how to get a new title at all? Is it even possible?

[overlander64]

Greetings zBelz! Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstreams!

Originally Posted by zBelz

Hi all, I’m new to this forum, I’m from NY and am currently looking for a airstream to completely renovate. The only problem with this is many people with the old gutted airstreams don’t have a title, does anyone know if you can get a new title if you have the serial number from airstream themselves? If not does anyone know how to get a new title at all? Is it even possible?

The answer to your question varies according to your state or the state in which you intend to register your Airstream. The difficulty in obtaining title for a trailer without a current title can vary from somewhat easy to so difficult as to be nearly impossible depending upon the state. Most states have provisions for issuing what are referred to as Bonded Titles where a bond valued equivalent to the vehicle is purchased and posted to obtain a provisionary title that becomes permanent after a specified time -- exact details as well as availability varies by state. Some states issue Court Ordered Titles where you appear by a local court judge and provide proof that the vehicle isn't recorded as stolen and that there are no known owners of record and then the judge issues an order for title to be issued. There are a few states that for trailers beyond a certain age register them without title based upon a Bill of Sale. The best advice is to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

[mrdes8]

Wow, the idea of title trouble can give me hives but, if approached properly, can lead to bargins as you are willing to buy a titleless trailer that others won't. As above, varies wildly by state but has become a little more complicated in the digital age, all that "sharing" going on. Here in Colorado we have things like bonded titles, certified VIN inspections, certified weights and enough different forms to choke a horse. Then there are the people at the DMV to deal with, be easy on them, they don't maked the rules. Bottom line, almost anything is doable. Once did a deal with a Ohio title, death certificate, physicians and coroner statements, was not the worst or took the longest.
Good luck, Mark D

[Wazbro]

Sometimes when buying out of state you need to worry about the state you buy the trailer from also. Although sometimes the state where you buy from can be much easier to deal with then the state you register in. Old registration and bill of sale from person it was registered to can help.

[richard5933]

If the potential sellers are the rightful owners but are simply not able to find the actual title, then the problem is quite simple. For a relatively low cost they can just get a duplicate title which they can then transfer to you.

If they never had title in their name, then some more research is in order to find out who, if anyone, is the actual registered owner.