salvage title, what am I getting into?

[~flutterbee~]

We're searching for an AS for FTing and found one with what looks to have minimum damage at a salvage yard, it is advertised as "light" damage right behind the wheel well. The price is $4500 for an '89 Sovereign. Supposedly tows well.
It's about a 3 hour drive, so we're likely to check it out this weekend if it's something that can be rectified. I looked it up online & if we were to get it we may have to have it recertified in our state... I don't know what that would involve.

I know that our current camper is considered "totaled" but is still fully functional. Whether or not it could ever be re-insured I have no idea.

Anyone have any experience with this?
(fingers crossed )Kelly

[bobchevy89]

check with your DMV about regestering a salvage title.some states will not allow it. most insurance co will not insure again check with your insurance person.
bobchevy89

[~flutterbee~]

Okay. So this could be huge. I'll check w/the dmv & insurance co. in the morning to ask those questions.

Phew! Potential crisis averted!! Gracias!

[~flutterbee~]

For future searches on title... in case anyone else's brain is mush from staring at a monitor for hours on end...
I found this on the cyberdriveillinois.com site... and I will call in the morning & see if this is correct ( it was found on a .com).
Now for insurance, but I think there's an agreed value that could be established, but yes.. definitely checking w/our ins.co..
Thanks! Sometimes you just need to be pointed in a direction!

[GlenCoombe]

When it comes to salvage titles or damage history you have to factor into the price that you have a less marketable item at resale time. While you may be buying with the intention of keeping this trailer for some time...things change.
You'll want to buy this trailer way back of what would be considered "retail" in any sense of the word.
I've bought many cars at auction but never salvage titles, I've bought damaged aircraft with the above equation in mind.... you just have to know the market of what you're looking at in order to make the right desision.

[~flutterbee~]

So, does that sound far enough back from retail value? It looks like they're going for more than twice that on ebay in decent condition. We're wanting to do so much work to customize that it seems like we'll have to go so low for us to be able to afford it.

It says "light damage", so why is it salvage, I wonder?

Barring any issues w/title re-instatement & insurance... would this be a lost cause?


Gah. We may go & just check it out, it's the first contender within 200 miles.

[GlenCoombe]

Often the value of the insured property is less than the cost of repairs. At some point in the equation an insurance company will write a check and sell off the damaged vehicle. This is often an easier route than dealing with the insured and repair shop for the duration of the rebuild.
Anytime that a vehicle is "written off" by an insurance company and sold as salvage most states then record this action on the title.
There are many talented body shops across the country who buy nothing but salvage cars and bring them back to life, reselling them as "B" title for market or just a bit less.
If you can figure out what the trailer needs... on a short visit not likely... then extrapolate the cost to make it what you want.... then figure out what it would bring if you had to sell it.... then deside if it's a workable equation.
Remember the old saying, "you've got to kiss a lot of frogs."

[~flutterbee~]

Yes, and I don't really know what to look for, either... I have a feeling I'll be calling a frog my own if I'm not very careful.

Aside from rear-end sag, I don't know how to check anything... it would just be a general feel I could pick up on.

I keep trying to let this one go.. but then it seems like I should at least check it out...
http://www.ttrepairables.com/cgi-bin...tail.setup.cgi

ETA: I just got off the phone w/the DMV & was told that I would be unable to buy a vehicle or RV w/a salvage title, that it would need to be signed directly over to a licensed repair shop & repaired in order to get a "rebuilt" title. This sounds like a big dealio. I think I better save my energy!

[Minnie's Mate]

This does not appear to be a rear bath model and being a mid-80's you would normally not see rear end sag...except that platform and rear bumper extension might have put too much load on the rear and could cause it.

Considering the "light" damage that is visible in the photo, I would be very concerned about the reason it was salvaged. There must be substantial hidden damage. With title problems, possible insurance problems, I would be very leary of this one.

[~flutterbee~]

Hey, thanks for checking it out.. having someone else voice their weariness helps me out, too. I think it'll be easy to "let this one go" now.