So how did the OP get the trailer home? What license plates are on it now? Did seller let it out of his hands with his old plates, his insurance, and his legal liability still on the trailer? Really? Do you know if he’s cancelled the insurance now?
plate most likely was on the trailer, it goes with trailer not owner
insurance?.. hell many of the drivers here not have licences … one in ten is illegal alien
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I’m with you on this–he was nice to let you take it. Tying horses up in it like a stock trailer is no big deal. When I was in high school, I hot walked polo ponies; they were hauled in to the field in stock trailers all tacked up, and tied up alternating head to tail. No issues whatsoever. If the trailer is sound and everything works, and it’s the right size for your animals, YOU GOT A DEAL! For the price you paid, you’ll get your money out of it no problem if you later on want to upgrade. I have a 1997 7’ tall 2 horse steel slant step up bp. I paid $3800 for it when it was 10 years old; immediately put new wheel bearings in it and a new deadbolt latch on the tack room door. Yes, it has some rust and a little hail damage on the metal roof. I keep up with maintenance. It hauls like a dream even in 60 mph winds. The prices out there for used trailers these days is downright awful, and I have no doubt I’ll be able to resell this trailer for what I paid for it or very close to it.
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Yes, you should pay him. You looked at it, you accepted the condition he presented it in, and he let you take it without paying in full.
If you are not mechanically inclined, I hope you had the trailer looked over by a mechanic. My husband is very knowledgeable, so he always double checks anything I buy but when I sold my last trailer I took it to a dealer so he could get it completely ship shape and give the new buyers a complete report on the floor, axles, etc.
You can buy a new divider.
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Trailers in TN are registered and do have tags. I have two- both are registered and tagged.
Then the law has changed since I last had a horse trailer. And I guess my flatbed that we use weekly is illegal with no license plate? Are you positive that it isn’t a county specific thing? Take a look at the Shelby county (Memphis) web site (just as an example) - says right there that tags aren’t required for non-commercial trailers.
https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/585/Trailers
Utility Trailers
The State of Tennessee does not require individuals to title and license utility trailers for private use, as long as you are pulling the trailer behind a Tennessee-licensed vehicle. Some states do require a proper registration. Therefore, it is advisable to title and license your utility trailer if you plan to pull through other states.
ETA - all trailers with living quarters ARE required to be registered and have tags. As are horse trailers that are use for business (commercial purposes).
@Scribbler, in GA or FL (and given that these things are pretty standard, this most likely applies in the other 48 states as well) you do not need to separately insure a trailer, the trailer is insured as an extension of the tow vehicle when it is on the road.
If you insure your trailer it is for damage incurred while not on the road (tree falling on it, etc.) - and well worth it, but not legally required.
As for picking up a new-to-you used trailer typically the seller would remove the plates and if you got pulled over for a tagless trailer a) as long as the tow vehicle was insured and b) you had a bill of sale+ transfer of title paper work (or for a new trailer, a bill of lading) it stands to reason there is a grace period to get temp or permanent tags/registration so that seems rather uneventful.
As for the OP’s question, hopefully she has already sent the $150 because without hesitation or question, it is owed to the seller. And if there wasn’t a full inspection before accepting ownership of the trailer, well, some life lessons are more expensive than others. But points for bringing up a topic that has universal agreement on COTH. That is no easy task!
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I can’t believe you’d think of stiffing the guy when 1. He trusted you. 2. You made a bunch of mistakes-- not looking over the trailer thoroughly and not showing up with enough cash in hand.
Yanno, I bought a trailer from a guy in his drive way with a handshake. I brought enough cash to put down a 5 or 10% deposit on a $9500 trailer. (I don’t remember the amount, but I can’t believe I got a grand out in cash to make that road trip). In any case, we literally shook hands and he wouldn’t take my deposit. Our word was good.
OP, please pay the seller promptly and with an apology as well as thanks for his taking you at your word for the last $150 owed. Please don’t let him know that you were considering making him pay for your mistakes.
I don’t want to become the person who would stand there and tell you to go get that last $150 before you took the trailer. But this thread makes me think that maybe I need to do that. And I donwanna.
I hate to read threads like this because it reminds me that someone out there who was willing to do business honorably is considered getting screwed for his kindness. And then that makes the world just a little bit less nice of a place.
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If you insure your trailer it is for damage incurred while not on the road (tree falling on it, etc.) - and well worth it, but not legally required.
and CHEAP …at least with our carrier, we just declared a value, they agree and then assigned a of $1,32 per month added to truck policy
as for physical licence plates , in Texas they stay with the vehicle or trailer … I guess a seller could remove if they wished but it is not necessary
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It definitely varies by state. In Michigan, trailers are registered and plated, but are not required to carry separate insurance from the tow vehicle.
Again, in Michigan, the steps in a private sale do not require the seller and buyer to go anywhere together. It doesn’t even require a bill of sale. There is a section on the title that the seller is supposed to fill out and sign, the the buyer takes this to our equivalent of the DMV. The office takes the original title, calculates any tax due, issues you a temporary title. We get the final title in the mail several weeks later.
You own the license plate in Michigan, so you can either transfer a plate from a trailer you don’t use or own anymore or you can purchase a new plate. Trailer plates in Michigan are permanent - we don’t have to pay yearly registration fees on them.
Here, if I were to purchase a trailer from a private party, I would go inspect the trailer, pay the seller, they’d fill out the title transfer section, take their plate off the trailer and I would drive away with it. A signed and dated title is sufficient to drive the vehicle directly to my residence, and park it until I can get to the DMV to transfer the title.
Same here in WY; requires plate and tags, trailer is covered for liability whenever hitched up to insured tow vehicle.
The lack of a divider between horses is no big deal the last two horse I owned, I took it out.
I would want something to keep tack, etc from under their feet.
I would also crawl under check floorboards and frame rust,
You never get somethin for nothin.
Do pay the gentleman.
I wish the OP would come back and tell us how this worked out.
I hope in the end that the OP is happy with their new trailer.
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:yes: Agreed @trubandloki !
OP’s Bad for not doing a thorough inspection & then wanting to haggle over the last $150 when Seller let the trailer leave not PIF.
I took a Village with when I traded my GN 2H Slant w/DR for a BP Stock w/center gate.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹
”‹”‹”‹One friend hauled my GN, another trailer-savvy friend rode along & we all inspected new trailer.
I’d found it online horsetrailerworld.com.
Coincidentally, I am in IN, trailer was in MI.
So title transfer(s) took place at the dealer.
Insurance & plates for the new were up to me.
Both were aluminum, both 1997s & I walked out with a check for $500 to replace the wood flooring that had rotted in the nose.
Dealer also said he’d replace the bent jack, but in the hubbub, I left without that :o
No Biggie, the check covered a totally new treated floor + new jack & labor for both.
Yes, dealer probably made $$ on the deal, but I got what I wanted.
I have lived in Pennsylvania my entire life and have never signed a title to any vehicle over to my insurance company. 
Are you referring to using a notary to transfer the title from seller to buyer, which could potentially take place at the same place you buy your insurance?
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You bought the trailer as is. The fact that it has no divider does not mean you can withhold the $ 150 you owe on the purchase price. If you don’t get the title you can’t use it (legally anyways ) once the registration expires.
You can buy a new or look for a used divider, make a divider or just do as he says and tie them like in a stock trailer.
You bought an 11 year old trailer , so I would expect some rust and I would also have it checked out by a knowledgeable person to evaluate the floor, wiring ,etc… before use.
If the previous owner didn’t use the divider it may not even have been in their mind to say anything.
I think you are making drama where it doesn’t need to be.
the divider would be the least of my worries as many horses ship in a 2 horse stock trailer (is it possible this is what this trailer is?) My concern would be 1) floorboards, 2) brakes 3) lights/electrical functioning. I hope you looked at the tires too.
Most states still require you to register trailers. Don’t be surprised if you might have to sink more $ into it if there are other items that aren’t up to snuff.
I know I sure wouldn’t buy any trailer from someone without a title, and this OP is a perfect illustration of why not.
OP, go finish paying for the trailer, or you’re a thief, and learn how to shop for trailers for next time. This was 100% preventable. Next time, post a question about how to shop instead of asking for collective permission to steal from someone.
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