theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Aug 8, 2018 19:02:46 GMT -8
There is a lot of talk on the boards about titles. You get lots of advice from folks from nearly every state about what you should or should not do with trailers regarding a title. But do you know the laws in your own state regarding titles? And would it maybe be prudent to make a listing of title laws as they vary by state? We've seen folks saying to completely pass on a trailer without a title, we've seen folks who've said they didn't have that difficult a time getting a title, etc. In my state (Maine), titles are not issues for vintage campers, period. I've emailed the Secretary of State and they won't issue one even if requested. So this concerns me when I get ready to sell my camper. People are so hung up on getting or having a title (sometimes warranted, sometimes not) that they may just completely pass because I cannot provide a title. However, do you know what the laws in your state are regarding buying a vintage from a non-title state? I'm very curious what each state say about buying a camper from out of state, from a state that doesn't provide a title. Anyone want to chime in and list their state if you KNOW the laws? Or is anyone willing to reach out to the DMV or Secretary of State or whatever state agency makes those decisions for your state and find out?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2018 19:44:27 GMT -8
I know the title rules in my state but honestly there are too many unique situations and variables and frankly, too many states to try to list the DMV's rules here. The best place for anyone who has a title question to go is to their own title office. Anytime I have seen discussions like this it becomes clogged with hearsay which isn't supportable when you're standing in front of the clerk at the DMV telling you otherwise. Don't mean to Pooh Pooh your idea but title questions always turn into arguments.
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Aug 9, 2018 5:39:55 GMT -8
I rely on the state statutes available online, directly from the state government's site. As far as I know, every US state has their laws listed online. I've received different (sometimes flat-out incorrect) answers from people behind the counter at the DMV or tax collector office (in my state the tax collector can also issue titles/registrations). I went so far as to print out laws from their own .gov website to show them.
I used to be responsible for all vehicle/trailer/vessel registrations and titles for a large state agency, so have lots of experience in this area. But it doesn't take much to find out what the laws and requirements are.
When I bought my trailer it came with a title, but it turned out to be for a completely different trailer. No worries, I just needed proof of weight, and in Florida if it's under 2,000 lbs I can register it as "homemade", which I'm perfectly comfortable with.
I bought an old motorcycle from Georgia, with no title. Maine doesn't require titles for vehicles older than 15 years (I think), and they don't require residency to title a motorcycle. Florida will title a motorcycle from a different state that doesn't require a title. So, sent bill of sale to Maine, got a registration, took the registration and bill of sale to Florida office, got a title.
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Post by danrhodes on Aug 9, 2018 5:44:21 GMT -8
I have posted several times here how I went about getting PTI registration in California, but the DMV has helpfully reorganized their site to make all the links invalid. In fact, I'm having trouble even finding the relevant code again. Thanks Jerry Brown.
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Aug 9, 2018 5:53:59 GMT -8
I rely on the state statutes available online, directly from the state government's site. As far as I know, every US state has their laws listed online. I've received different (sometimes flat-out incorrect) answers from people behind the counter at the DMV or tax collector office (in my state the tax collector can also issue titles/registrations). I went so far as to print out laws from their own .gov website to show them. I used to be responsible for all vehicle/trailer/vessel registrations and titles for a large state agency, so have lots of experience in this area. But it doesn't take much to find out what the laws and requirements are. This was kind of my point... sometimes even the DMV clerks don't know all the rules. I relied solely on the State's laws, available online, then followed up with an email to clarify. I think people get scared to buy something without a title, for fear of never being able to get it legal in their state. Sometimes, it's a non-issue, and sometimes you have a harder time buying a trailer with an incorrect title. |
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charliemyers
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Post by charliemyers on Aug 11, 2018 18:09:33 GMT -8
I can’t say that I know all of the title laws for WV, but apparently I know enough. I’ve titled two that were purchased in-state that did not have a title, and I’ve titled one that came from a state that did not require it to be titled. I have documented all of the forms that are necessary, and the process has not failed me yet.
In WV the key seems to be proving the seller’s ownership and right to sell. Also I’ve managed to find the absolute BEST DMV office in the universe.
This office turns the image of the DMV upside down.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Aug 12, 2018 4:10:53 GMT -8
NC is an odd state when you don’t have a title. If you buy in-state they make it really hard to retitle a camper. But they have agreements with some states to accept a bill of sale (or two owners back) and issue a title without an inspection.
What states can I buy an untitled camper and retitle it with very little effort here? Who knows! Nobody at DMV will give me a list and it’s not online.
As for buying an untitled camper, if it’s a late 50s that’s savable I’ll consider it IF the price is incredibly low. Really low. I mean really, truly low.
“I’ve managed to find the absolute BEST DMV office in the universe.”
The key to it all.
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Poquito
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Post by Poquito on Aug 27, 2018 13:06:25 GMT -8
True story: I met a cute young couple with a small fiberglass camper (just a bed basically) that they had gussied up. It was given to them with no title. So wanting to do the right thing they called the local judge to see what they could do, the judge said "go see Glorida (name made up because I don't remember the name) and she'll take care of it." Well, Gloria, who worked at their local DMV, gave them the "trailer" registration. This is not the same as a camper registration and if something happened to their little camper, who knows how it would get worked out. So anyway, they went with it. They did try to do the right thing but even the local judge knew it was too much of a pain in the ass in FL to get it done properly. Florida - FLHSMV website: www.flhsmv.gov/ where information is very hard to find. You have to do a word search and hopefully it will pop up. If you still can't find the information, you call the local DMV and they will actually walk you through and help you find it buried in the website. No joke. Also, I would read the FL Statutes and take a copy of the statute that you are trying to follow with you. Poquito |
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