Posted 2011-02-24 10:29 AM (#130710) Subject: Trailer Title Issue
Member
Posts: 29
I am in the process of buying a trailer from an individual.
The problem is that the vin # does not match up with the vin # on the original title.
The owner and his lending bank did not check to make sure that the the vins were the same when the trailer was purchased new from the manufacture 2 years ago. The manufacturer is now out of business (Southwest Conversions - Diamond Trailers), so they are nowhere to be found.
I want the trailer, but only with a clear title. What can be done to clear this up?
Posted 2011-02-24 10:56 AM (#130712 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Elite Veteran
Posts: 804 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Does anyone have a copy of the original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin to see if the VIN was correct there? If it was correct there, then you work back through the state that issued the title with the typo.
Posted 2011-02-24 10:59 AM (#130713 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Location: Colorado
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-24 10:29 AM
I am in the process of buying a trailer from an individual.
The problem is that the vin # does not match up with the vin # on the original title.
The owner and his lending bank did not check to make sure that the the vins were the same when the trailer was purchased new from the manufacture 2 years ago. The manufacturer is now out of business (Southwest Conversions - Diamond Trailers), so they are nowhere to be found.
I want the trailer, but only with a clear title. What can be done to clear this up?
Thanks!
The state that issued the original title will have to tell you how to remedy this. The dealer that sold it originally should be able to help also- they will probably have to retrace the paper trail, and see where the mistake was made. You want to make sure it's cleared up before you buy it- to my mind, if it can't be fixed, that would be a deal killer.
Posted 2011-02-24 12:05 PM (#130716 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Elite Veteran
Posts: 804 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-24 10:29 AM
The problem is that the vin # does not match up with the vin # on the original title.
Thanks!
I apparently don't understand- is there, or is there not a title that supposedly goes to this trailer? Based on first comment, I understood there was, but with a typo. If you don't have anything, that is a whole nother can 'o worms...
Posted 2011-02-24 12:36 PM (#130719 - in reply to #130716) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Member
Posts: 29
The title that was given when the trailer was purchased from the manufacturer has one vin # and the trailer has another vin #. The owner and funding bank never looked to see if they matched when the trailer was purchased new 2 years ago.
The TX plates were issued with the number on the title, not the number on the trailer, so the plates are not good either.
The vin number on the trailer has never been issued and is showing no record in the state of TX.
My question is how would you get a title vin numbers to match the trailer vin numbers. The owners are in their late 20's and have no idea of how things work, or even how this could happen.
Posted 2011-02-24 1:20 PM (#130724 - in reply to #130715) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Location: Colorado
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-24 11:19 AM
It was bought new from the manufacturer, Southwest Conversions - Diamond Trailers of Beasley TX, who no longer in business or can't even be reached.
The Manufacturer's Statement of Origin also can not be found. The Vin # on the trailer show that an invalid number and has never been registered.
Could a new title be applied for using the vin on the trailer?
Yes, it is deal breaker, but if it could be fixed in a reasonable time frame, I would still be a buyer.
I think you'll have to see what your state's laws are regarding that. Here in Colo I don't think that would work, unless you called it a homebuilt, but different states have different laws. In the VIN, is it just one digit that's wrong? And which digit? If it is a 17 digit VIN, depending on which digit is wrong, it might be easier to convince someone it's a typo.
Posted 2011-02-24 2:59 PM (#130731 - in reply to #130725) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Location: Colorado
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-24 1:25 PM
Don't think it is a typo...
the 7,8,9,& 10 numbers are off.
So, what is the breakdown on what the numbers for? Year, model, maker?
Sorry it's taking me so long to get back to you. Somrtimes work gets in the way! LOL! Digit # 10 is the year- then everything after that is the actual serial number. Digit #9 is usually a "check" digit- no real meaning. #1 through # 8's meanings vary by manufacturer. I don't know what they would be on your trailer. With all those off on yours, and nobody having records regarding the original sale- I think that's going to be tough going, if it's even possible to get it changed.
Posted 2011-02-24 5:09 PM (#130738 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Member
Posts: 22
Location: 03303
The bank that issued the loan should have obtained all the documentation and should have it available. The dealer should also have all the documentation on a sale for several years after the sale.
But if this is a conversion unit, it may have two VINs. One VIN was issued by the trailer manufacturer, while a second VIN may have been issued by Southwest Conversions. A friend of mine who worked for one of the delivery companies in Indiana had this problem delivering a conversion unit into Canada. He'd checked the frame VIN when he picked it up, but when Customs checked, the conversion company's VIN did not match its paperwork. Turned out the conversion company had mixed up trailers.
Posted 2011-02-24 8:34 PM (#130755 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Depends on the state the seller is in. If they live in NE, no title is needed on trailers. If you need one, just take a bill of sale (notebook paper has worked) to the local courthouse and they will sell you a title. I have heard of NE dealers "helping" out out of state dealers that need a title on a trailer. Good luck!
Posted 2011-02-25 11:18 AM (#130782 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Veteran
Posts: 201
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-24 10:29 AM
I am in the process of buying a trailer from an individual.
The problem is that the vin # does not match up with the vin # on the original title.
The owner and his lending bank did not check to make sure that the the vins were the same when the trailer was purchased new from the manufacture 2 years ago. The manufacturer is now out of business (Southwest Conversions - Diamond Trailers), so they are nowhere to be found.
I want the trailer, but only with a clear title. What can be done to clear this up?
Thanks!
IF there's a lien on the title, the bank has incorrect property and they need to straighten it out and get a new title for the original owners????
Posted 2011-02-25 11:35 AM (#130785 - in reply to #130782) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Duckman on 2011-02-25 11:18 AM
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-24 10:29 AM
I am in the process of buying a trailer from an individual.
The problem is that the vin # does not match up with the vin # on the original title.
The owner and his lending bank did not check to make sure that the the vins were the same when the trailer was purchased new from the manufacture 2 years ago. The manufacturer is now out of business (Southwest Conversions - Diamond Trailers), so they are nowhere to be found.
I want the trailer, but only with a clear title. What can be done to clear this up?
Thanks!
IF there's a lien on the title, the bank has incorrect property and they need to straighten it out and get a new title for the original owners????
That is an interesting thought...technically the bank has NO COLLATERAL for its loan...
Posted 2011-02-25 3:57 PM (#130796 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
In my experience, this is what my 2 cents would be.
First, the bank would not have the Statement of Orgin, the DMV usually takes it when they issue the title on a new trailer.
Second, if you purchase the trailer accross state lines, a lot of states (if they require a trailer to be titled) will have to do an inspection by the local law enforcement and they could find the issue than and they could consider it stolen property and that would not be good.
Third, the seller can get a bond to guarentee that they are the owner and than get the title reissued. We have done that in the past when a title gets lost or filed incorrectly. The bond is usually for the value of the trailer and is very reasonable-possibly less than 10% of the value. Most banks would know how/where to get this completed.
As to the bank's security question, yes, the lien is not "perfected" and the bank is basically unsecured, but lawyers are expensive!!!!
I would suggest that the seller contact his bank and local DMV, and get their help to clear it up. If he has the orginal bill of sale and it is correct on there, that should be enough if everything else lines up. If the bill of sale was incorrect, might have to go the bonding route if you can not "come up" with a bill of sale with the correct VIN#s. The proceeding is just my opinion and does reflect my employers. Good luck!
Posted 2011-02-26 6:49 AM (#130814 - in reply to #130710) Subject: RE: Trailer Title Issue
Member
Posts: 39 Location: Southwestern, Indiana
The current owner needs to get the title issued cleared up before he can sell it. It is usually just time consuming, unless it is a stolen trailer. I had a similar situation with a Kentucky trailer because they do not have to plate a trailer that is only used within their state. So I was dealing with a third owner on a trailer that had never been plated or titled. Luckily they had passed along the Original Bill of Manufacturer. The current owner had to take the trailer to the KY State police for inspection and documentation of VIN. The police verified it was never on a stolen trailer list, then contacted or tried to locate the original purchaser. After a month and a half it was all cleared up. The State issued a new title it was signed over to me. This was made a little tougher because I had the trailer with me in Indiana. I would imagine the bank with the wrong paperwork would look at is as an attempt to defraud and obtain a loan with fraudulent papers and the original owner would be in the wrong. Just my opinion.
Trailer Title Issue
