VA-the hazards to buying an out-of-state trailer.

[cruiserpop]

Just got to love dealing with DMV.
recently bought a pu from MA-where trailers under 3,000 gvrw don't get titled. Called the state 800 info line-they said all i need is the bill of sale. Went to the local DMV office, no soap. we need to see the previous regestration too. Previous owner is long gone, plates turned in. DMV tells me I'm out of luck. Can't use the thing. Ebay buyers, Beware!!!!

[mikewilley]

Just got to love dealing with DMV.
recently bought a pu from MA-where trailers under 3,000 gvrw don't get titled. Called the state 800 info line-they said all i need is the bill of sale. Went to the local DMV office, no soap. we need to see the previous registration too. Previous owner is long gone, plates turned in. DMV tells me I'm out of luck. Can't use the thing. Ebay buyers, Beware!!!!

Probably won't help in MA (where tighter control on guns makes it more difficult to shoot errant bureaucrats  :J ), but in Texas and other states we have what is called a salvage title.  The purpose of a salvage title is to deal with the situation where you have a vehicle that has been scrapped (therefore no title and title probably untraceable) when the vehicle is then repaired and becomes road worthy.

We just had to go through this with my wife's car when we bought our new Jeep.  It was a little bit of a hassle, but not too expensive and it beats the heck out of dumping it in a vacant lot someplace.

If you can't get your civil servants to help you with this, you might check with a local auto dealership, they have to do this sort of thing all the time.

cheers,
mike

[aw738]

I have been told by some local car collectors that it is exstreamly easy to get a title for a vehicle in Georgia, but I could be wrong. If you know someone in Georgia maybe you could "sell" it to them, have them get a title for it and then "sell" it back to you with a title.

[hoppy]

Yikes.....

 this may not  help your situation any, but I just purchased a used 2001 camper from out of state (bought in Alabama, needing to be registered in Georgia), and the transaction went as smooth as silk. Had the clear title forwarded to me from Alabama within two weeks, and my GA title, plate, and tag came to me one week later. DMV didn't even care about seeing the bill of sale. Just forwarded the signed transfer portion of the Alabama title, and off it went.

   I guess it is how each state handles trailers differently.

    My wife was told at the DMV in Georgia when she was registering mine, that titles are not required for trailers (or cars for that matter) older the 1989', so that is one good thing....... I reckon.

   Hope you find a legal loop hole to get your trailer registered.

   What year is the camper, anyway? If it's earlier the 89, just hop on down here to GA.....It's pretty during this time of the year. Bring the camper with you.


    Keep your kindling dry.

    Hoppy.

[jaycocamprs]

You could try going to MA DMV and trying to get a duplicate or copy of the registration. Most states also have some way of applying for lost titles. And getting titles for home built trailers.

Just got to love dealing with DMV.
recently bought a pu from MA-where trailers under 3,000 gvrw don't get titled. Called the state 800 info line-they said all i need is the bill of sale. Went to the local DMV office, no soap. we need to see the previous regestration too. Previous owner is long gone, plates turned in. DMV tells me I'm out of luck. Can't use the thing. Ebay buyers, Beware!!!!

[ckkevin]

I had a similar problem in California.  I purchased a utility trailer from a friend in Texas.  I pulled it back to California and took it to our local DMV.  In Texas they did not require a title but when I tried to register it in California (which does require a title) I was told that they could not register it without a Texas Title.

After 3 trips to the DMV, I finally found someone who would look up the Texas registration laws in the DMV bible which contains the registration laws for all 50 states.  They finally realized that there was no way I could get a title since Texas didn't issue them for that type of utility trailer.  

At that point they registered the trailer in California and gave it a VIN number.  I now have a CA Title for the trailer.

If the DMV 800 number told you that it would be okay, you need to find someone at the DMV office who will do the research necessary.

Good Luck!

[cruiserpop]

I had a similar problem in California.  I purchased a utility trailer from a friend in Texas.  I pulled it back to California and took it to our local DMV.  In Texas they did not require a title but when I tried to register it in California (which does require a title) I was told that they could not register it without a Texas Title.

After 3 trips to the DMV, I finally found someone who would look up the Texas registration laws in the DMV bible which contains the registration laws for all 50 states.  They finally realized that there was no way I could get a title since Texas didn't issue them for that type of utility trailer.  

At that point they registered the trailer in California and gave it a VIN number.  I now have a CA Title for the trailer.

If the DMV 800 number told you that it would be okay, you need to find someone at the DMV office who will do the research necessary.

Good Luck!

No soap. a long conversation with Richmond says regestration required. period. Mass said, shure, you cna regester it here, still require the old registration card from the previous owner. Don't have it? Just ask him to apply for another one. No, you can't apply for it yourself. mStill out of luck-and i still say buyer beware: best spend the hour an a half in line go get your answer from the sour-faced overworked bureaucrat nbedfore you take the plunge.

[Gone-Camping]

Well, perhaps you can use another tactic! Apply for a storage lien on the trailer.

As a former Mass resident that has been in Virginia for the last 25 years, I've got experience with both the Va DMV and the Mass RMV. As you're already aware, you're going to have to get more paper work out of Mass RMV. I do believe there is a way around this. The only thing I've ever needed up there for non-titled vehicles are a bill of sale. Getting it notarized will help a lot too! Prior to titles, all they used were notarized bills of sale.
 
The following info is from the Ma RMV website...
 

How do I register my newly purchased trailer?
You

[stoichie]

Hey, I will try to remember to call my Dad and ask how which state that he went through to get a title on his ancient Brockway.  I think it was Alabama.  There was no title or record of title in AZ on this thing (It is late 40's) and it was a field "decoration" for many of decade.  Though his antique/historical truck group he was able to find a person/entity that titled the vehicle in another state (THe brockway never left AZ); and sent him the title.  With title in hand, he was able to title and register it in AZ.

[birol]

I shudder reading this story. This is exactly the reason I decided not to purchase Lee's beautiful PU. Once in the girinding wheels o burocracy, one can only cry and try to find ways to get things done.

I hope you can register the PU and get to use it in many fine camping trips.

[tlhdoc]

This may be a time when you would want to call your local state Representative and see if they can help you.

By the way Congratulations on the new PU, what is it?

[cruiserpop]

I shudder reading this story. This is exactly the reason I decided not to purchase Lee's beautiful PU. Once in the girinding wheels o burocracy, one can only cry and try to find ways to get things done.

I hope you can register the PU and get to use it in many fine camping trips.

this is why i still say it's worth the time to talk to a human being. I researched the mass state website, and caught that little ditty about the bill of sale. then i called boston-in their eyes, a previous regestration is still required-plus the bill of sale. the bureaucrat who  takes your money and signs the forms still has the final word on what is law

[Gone-Camping]

I'd put together a copy of everything you have, and send it to Mass RMV by mail anyway, just to see what happens. They'll either give you what they want, or send back a nice form letter telling you otherwise. I used to know an RMV officer, but that was years ago and don't even know where to find him these days, otherwise I'd call him and ask about it! Maybe Lee & Andrea can help you figure this out!