I'm curious to know if states really investigate titles or ownership records - and if insurance companies actually do share "salvage" identities.
I only know about the "Maine issue" above because I know someone in FLorida who has "transferred" in this way several times - none of his trailers were worth insuring. He was buying trailers cheaply (I assume) because potential sellers and buyers were concerned about "title". All he seemed to need was a bill of sale from ANYONE. His trailers probably weren't salvage titles(although I would say they were pretty terrible). I know FEMA trailers have many disclosures and rules, but does anyone know if there is a form of central registry to stop these (and salvage trailers) from being "washed"?
I bought a new boat in FLorida where I was given a title. I sold it in Maine with just a bill of sale, even though it was new enough to have had an original title or documentation from the manufacturer. I expected to hear from the state about it, but I never did. I have to wonder - what if I had stolen it?
Indiana I have titled 2 home built trailers (old travel trailers), a M416 and a 16 foot utility trailer. I had to go before the Magistrate for the 16 foot utility trailer. It was as easy as a police check, less than 100 dollars in court fees and the Magistrate said it was mine. It is pretty easy here.
There is a national data base covering stolen, totaled, junk, salvage, and flood vehicles… (vehiclehistory.gov)
There is also the National Insurance Crime Bureau data base that partners insurers and law enforcement agencies to facilitate the identification, detection and prosecution of insurance criminals… their databases include if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB members….
Washing titles has become a real safety issue and concern…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
Florida has a home built or something like that that they will give a title on.
Get on CarFax and see what they really did with the title. It had to be titled at one time.
Most states have the DMV on line now. All you have to do is enter the vin and it pops up with all the info you need to know to register it. Only requirement is that YOU are the owner of the vehicle you are inquiring about or you don't pass go and go directly to jail, or so they say!
Strange that they didn't give you a salvage title. I'm always a bit concerned when there is no title involved. You never know it really could have been stolen and with my luck I'd be in line at the DMV trying to register it and end up on the 10:00 news.
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
Here is Alabama law; most states seem to have similar laws. Looks like you bought a junk vehicle. To try and wash the title could be costly. I see in your profile you own a truck and rv repair business and are also a Good Sam and Coachnet ERS provider hope this helps you.
(1) Section 32-8-87(j), Code of Alabama 1975, as amended, prohibits the issuance of a certificate of title for any motor vehicle for which a "junk" certificate has been issued or for a vehicle which is sold "for parts only". Equivalent certificates of title from other states such as, but not limited to, a certificate of destruction, a permit to dismantle or a non-rebuildable branded title shall also be considered junk.
(2) Any motor vehicle for which a certificate has been issued by any State with the notation of junk, parts car, parts only, non-rebuildable, or bills-of-sale issued for transfer of the vehicle which contain this information shall be considered to be a "junk" vehicle and shall not be titled in this State.
(3) In addition, no certificate of title may be issued for any motor vehicle where the frame or the majority of the major component parts, as defined in Section 32-8-87, Code of Alabama 1975, were obtained from a “junk” vehicle as defined in this rule.
Also I found pre 1990 travel trailers do not need to be titled.
Good Luck
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Perhaps the easy thing to do would be to offer it up as a homebuilt that was made from some new parts and used parts from more than one original. The original VIN would not be on the "new frame" of course. An inquiry to the motor vehicle dept should answer how a homebuilt camper can be titled.
Hotrods and other cars such as custom-framed kitcars are done this way. The on-highway vehicle must pass a safety inspection and a new title is issued. In my state (ND) the inspection on cars is done by a Highway Patrol officer.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to trace stolen auto parts and no doubt some are incorporated this way.
Wes
...
Days spent camping are not subtracted from one's total.
- 2000 Excursion V-10 - 2004 Cougar Keystone M-294 RLS, 6140# tare
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...
Wes Tausend writes "Perhaps the easy thing to do would be to offer it up as a homebuilt that was made from some new parts and used parts from more than one original. The original VIN would not be on the "new frame" of course. An inquiry to the motor vehicle dept should answer how a homebuilt camper can be titled.
Hotrods and other cars such as custom-framed kitcars are done this way. The on-highway vehicle must pass a safety inspection and a new title is issued. In my state (ND) the inspection on cars is done by a Highway Patrol officer.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to trace stolen auto parts and no doubt some are incorporated this way.
Wes"
PA does allow for "homebuilt" trailers, basically it is a trailer which can not be identified as a "manufactured" trailer (IE any and all markings which could identify the original manufacturer must be completely gone). The title will have "special construction" on it.
However PA DOES require PROOF of where all the major components came from (IE Bill of Sale for axles, frame and so on). This required proof is to help reduce FRAUD. PA also requires FOUR photos and a mechanics inspection of the trailer BEFORE any title will be given.
To me it seems like the OP's intention may have been more on the side of "flipping" the trailer for a profit than for personal use. To me that would seem like an attempt to wash the title and would be plain wrong to do.
The OP needs to answer the question of how would THEY like to find out that the "perfect" trailer they bought was SCRAPPED and the title was washed to pad the sale price?
I know myself I would be highly upset if I unknowingly purchased a trailer in "good faith" and later found out that it was not as advertised.
I urge the OP to reconsider washing the title with intent to sell, if you wish to use for PERSONAL USE then it would be a bit more acceptable.
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