Posted 2013-08-04 7:37 PM (#153814) Subject: Missing Title for 1974 Trail-et
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Wisconsin
I just finished fixing up a 2 horse trailer that I bought at the beginning of the summer, but unfortunately, the previous owner didn't have a title, so all we have at the moment is a Bill of Sale. It also, as far as I can tell, doesn't have a VIN #, although it does have an identification number and manufacture information on it. Is it true that older trailers don't always have an VIN, and if so, does this change anything about the process of getting it registered?
I called the DOT, and the ID number from the trailer didn't match anything from their database, so they told me the only option I had was to put a bond on it with an insurance company for five years to get a VIN, if I understood correctly. They made this process sound pretty expensive, compared to the amount I originally paid for the trailer, so I've been looking into other options.
Would it be possible to contact Trail-et to see if they can get the title from the identification number? I know they got sold off, so I'm not sure who I'd contact to find out.
Otherwise, I was also told to look into getting it registered as a homemade trailer, and was wondering if anyone from Wisconsin has done this before and how strict they are.
Posted 2013-08-04 8:08 PM (#153819 - in reply to #153814) Subject: RE: Missing Title for 1974 Trail-et
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
When I bought a trailer from someone in OK it did not have a title. I was able to take the bill of sale to the Collin County Tax department in Texas and they were very happy to take my money and give me a title. But it did have a VIN on it. Its different in every state. I'd just go down to the office with anything you have and tell them you want to register it and see what happens. You might take the trailer with you in case they want to inspect it.
Posted 2013-08-06 7:58 AM (#153858 - in reply to #153814) Subject: RE: Missing Title for 1974 Trail-et
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: MS
I bought an old Merhow once that didn't have a title. I registered it as a homemade trailer. As they said, they will probably be happy to take your money, regardless. If you are fixing it up you won't be too far off the truth, anyway!
Posted 2013-08-06 8:39 AM (#153861 - in reply to #153814) Subject: RE: Missing Title for 1974 Trail-et
Regular
Posts: 83 Location: Minnesota
I bought a 2 horse bumper pull in Wisconsin last year. The person who sold it to me said the title was in the glove box of her husband's truck that was in the body shop after being in an accident, but she had a photocopy of the title from when she first purchased the trailer and the VIN numbers matched on that paper matched the tag on the trailer. I trusted that she'd follow up with the original and we pulled the trailer back to Minnesota. After numerous phone calls and just as many excuses, I realized I was not going to recieve any title from that person. I contacted the motor vehicle departments in both states and discovered I had a worthless trailer unless I could somehow get a duplicate title. I did some research and found the person who sold it to the woman I bought it from and discovered the title had never been transferred ... probably to avoid sales tax. I was happy to pay her for her time and the cost of a replacement duplicate title, which she had to apply for in Wisconsin, and several months later I finally had the title. I then had it transferred to myself in Minnesota. I learned the same lesson I should have learned long, long ago ... never purchase a vehicle, including a trailer, with the promise of a title. If there isn't a clear title in hand, I walk away. My advice to you is to contact the person you bought it from and ask them to apply for a duplicate title. It should be an easier process for you because you're also in Wisconsin. Best of luck to you ...
Missing Title for 1974 Trail-et
