Posted 2020-11-11 12:34 PM (#173347) Subject: Trailer without Title
New User
Posts: 1
I am looking at buying a small bumper pull stock trailer from a seller in Washington (he is selling for family member who has dementia, they have power of attorney). Trailer was never titled or registered ever, it was previously used in Utah and Oklahoma. Manufacturer cannot issue MCO due to distributor who sold it going out of business many years ago so no paper trail. VIN is easily readable but again trailer was never titled or registered. What should I do? It is a great deal and in great condition. Only 10ft and is a 1993. Thanks for any information or tips?
Posted 2020-11-12 6:24 AM (#173351 - in reply to #173347) Subject: RE: Trailer without Title
Elite Veteran
Posts: 785 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Every state is different in how they handle this. The current owner needs to go to his office that handles tags/titles and see what the procedure is to get a title for this. Often, if they can prove proof of ownership then it can happen. Some states will do a bonded title, where the current owner purchases a surety bond, and then the state will issue a title. Or some states will let it be titled as a homemade trailer (must pass a stiff safety inspection first). Or- if you live in a state that doesn't require plates, you may buy it and just drive it as it is. Here in Tenn, I see many older trailers advertised for sale with Bill of Sale only, but as a licensed dealer we are required to provide a title/MSO with everything we sell.
To my knowledge, the only way to see if it has ever been titled, is to call each state individually with the VIN. I have not yet found a central clearinghouse to verify this. And it sounds like that trailer has been around a bit.
Trailer without Title
