I need to sell my used stock trailer, it was sold to me with current tags and a Bill of Sale.
My question is: can I sell it without a title, but with current tags with Bill of Sale?
My second question is: if I can’t get it sold is the current tags and Bill of Sale all I need to get current tags for next year?
Thank you. 
Well, there are many more knowledgeable than I, but here goes-
My trailer came with a Certificate of Origin- not a title. The BMV here (Ohio), only requires a MCO (Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin) for registration (tags).
as far as registration, call your local BMV and ask them. It can vary from state to state so your best bet is to talk to them.
As far as selling it- I don’t know. You bought it that way so perhaps you can…
It depends on your state.
In NH, nothing older than a certain age (I think it was ten years, but can’t remember for sure) needed a title, and in fact the state doesn’t issue titles for such vehicles/trailers, period. You just need a bill of sale.
Having just moved, I find that Oregon requires titles (or other paperwork if it’s homemade) for everything. We shall see how this goes over when I go in and explain that I don’t have titles, as my previous state simply doesn’t issue them.
Check your DMV website, or call them and explain the situation. If worst comes to worst there should be some mechanism for getting a new copy of a “lost” title. :yes:
Some states (like Ohio) do not have titles for trailers less than a certain weight (4000lbs?). In which case yes you can sell it that way without any problems. Otherwise I think you could register the trailer as a homemade and get a title that way. You should ask someone from your DMV.
I’m in TX, none of my trailers have had titles. They have all been horse trailers - 2 were 2H BP Straight loads and one was a 2H BP Slant. I have a Bill of Sale. If you PM me your email address I can send you the document I used to sell my last one - if you need it at all.
Call your local DMV and ask them.
G.
Ditto that it depends on your state.
In Florida, anything over 3000lbs has to have a title before it can be registered and have plates. I was not aware of that so when I bought my trailer used and was given the MCO, I thought everything was golden. Until I went to the DMV and they told me that this trailer had never been registered with the state of Fl and the tags on it were for a utility trailer.
Long story short, the guy who bought the trailer new bought it out of state. That way he didnt have to pay sales tax. He then proceeded to NOT register it (as he would have had to pay taxes on the sale price then) and put illegal tags on it.
In order for me to have it titled and registered in FL I would have to have the BOS from the trailer company to the guy I bought it from, proof that he paid his sales tax, then all sorts of fees to put the trailer in his name and then transfer to me, etc etc etc. Florida makes you bend over to get anything done and they make sure they get their money twice over!
I have since found out that I can get the trailer titled and tagged in the state of Maine even without living there due to their laws. It is VERY common for companies to have their trailers registered in Maine (think semis, etc) as its so much cheaper. I can get my trailer registered titled and tagged for $165 for 5 years. Totally legal and legit. (unlike the guy I bought the trailer from).
IF your state requires a title and you dont have one, I would look into this company (http://staabagency.com/ ). I have spoken to a lot of people who have used this company for business and personal use and they are totally legit.
I work at the DMV in my spare time from my regular job as Intarwebz Superhero.
If you let me know what state you are in, I can check out the NADA book tomorrow that gives the regs for titling in each state.
just pt me.
I would 100% take up Pirateer’s offer. I bought an out of state trailer that didn’t have a title. I lived in a state where everything had to have a title. It was a pure nightmare. I went to the DMV, was told I needed this, this, and this. Went and did what I was told to do, came back, and oops, that was wrong, they really needed this, this, and this. I had to go the the DMV at least 4-5 times and every time I would tell them the story, then they would pull out this huge blue book and have about 5 people huddled together trying to figure out what to do. It was a headache to say the least!
I also use Maine to register my trailer with this site:
http://www.mainetrailerregistrations.com/
I bought and paid off my trailer and the credit union oopsed and didn’t send me the title, and I oopsed and screwed around and forgot … and forgot some more … then the credit union merged into another union, and nobody knows nuttin’ about no stinkin’ title paperwork… leaving me with a paid off trailer with no title… so based on my best reading of our state rules, I figured this was my cheapest option by far. so far so good…
This is your simplest answer
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Stop… you’re killing me sniffgiggleBWAHAHAHAHAHAsniff.
Don’t get me wrong, I treasure the many long hours I have spent with our DMV, but not for the simplicity of those times…
Also depends on the state you live in. In Washington state, if you are a resident here but have a vehicle (anything requiring a license plate) registered in another state, and don’t transfer the registration, it’s a hefty fine*. So definitely check your state laws on that before going this route, and, in fact, instead of contacting your dept. of motor vehicles, you can call the local police department or state patrol branch and ask them. But, for example, if I pulled you over and you lived in Washington and were a resident, but registered your trailer in Maine and have owned it for more than 30 days, you could potentially be looking at a fine of $1122.00, plus whatever violation got you stopped in the first place.
*This does NOT apply to active duty military members.
Yep, every state has different requirements.
I once bought a trailer and was told by the seller there was no title (silly me just went with that). I’m not sure how I was able to register it, but when I went to sell it a couple years later I realized there should have been a title. I back tracked to the original seller and realized there was a title, but she chose to withhold it and not payoff the loan against it the trailer after handing it over to me with a bill of sale. Basically I never owned it, her bank did! I was outraged but of course couldn’t do anything. I did get the title and all was good, but it could have easily ended very differently.
Maybe you need to relocate?
Here the BMV (I thought they were saying it wrong, who knew…) is more than kind.
I have had agents hold a place in line for me so I could get the info they needed from my glovebox.
When I lived in a Major Big City this was not so likely to happen.
well things were simpler, DMV-wise in Florida, but all the same, I’ll pass!
Can you please send me the info? kyleather_nlace2000@yahoo.com
I’m trying to get tags for a bumper pull but cannot find a vin number anywhere on the trailer. Thanks so much!
I am also in Texas
Yes go down to your tag office where you apply for titles for cars and ask them what to do to get a title or duplicate title for the trailer.
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