Help a friend - registration issue

[aztlanco]

Friend needs help;

A friend of mine just bought a 1973 Land Yacht (25 footer) from a salvage yard here in El Paso, Texas and all he got was a "bill of sale". Now ,, he is having trouble trying to register the trailer and getting a title under his name. He was asked by the DMV (dept. of motor vehicles) and the Tax Office for a Title or a bill of sale from the last registered owner (not the salvage yard) because the trailer was registered in another state and therefore no record of ownership exists in Texas.
Maybe somebody here can help find the previous owners. The WBCC registration numbers are still visible and are # 25953. Please help and Thanks in advance.
Just trying to help a fellow Airstreamer,
Ernie
1958 Traveler, 18 ft.

[Lumatic]

25953 is not currently assigned.

In a situation like this your friend might be able to post an assurity bond which basicly is an insurance policy in case another person who has a claim or lein on the trailer comes out of the woodwork. In NM an assurity bond is based on the sale amount and has the condition that the vehicle can not be sold for 3 years.

[CaddyGrn]

I'd go back to the salvage yard and start from there... they have to have a paper trail to the person they got it from. Work backwards, it might be easier. Otherwise if there are any old license plates (to identify the state) you can call the state and ask what options you have.

[CanoeStream]

Private message streamer23. He's archived many years of the WBCCI directories and might give you an idea. Give him the link to this thread. He will not reveal previous owner info in threads. I sure appreciate his efforts!

[Melody Ranch]

I have done this many times....here in Texas.
Get Bill of Sale from the Salvage Yard. Notarized...for what ever good that is.
Get a legible tracing and/or photo of the data plate.
Get a certificate from the DPS verifying that the vehicle is not on a stolen list.
Go to your Tax assessor....Tax Ass...as I refer to them, and get scheduled for a hearing on issuing you a title for the missing one. Its a real informal sitdown where you present the documents. They can, and should, then issue you a standard vehicle title. You will pay sales tax and standard registration Tax, Bridge Tax, Road Tax, etc....get the picture? If your local office gives you trouble go to another. They sometimes have a screwy bureaucrat in residence and you may have to work around him/her.....especially in Border Counties.

[aztlanco]

Thanks to all for your kind words and wisdom. It will all be passed on to my friend and maybe soon he will be a member also. Thanks again,,,
Ernie
1958 Traveler, 18 ft.