illinois trailer issue~ again

[cturboaddict]

Ive read through most of the posts on trailers with no title issues in illinois, but none really pertained to me... So ill ask and see what you guys have to say, as i couldnt didnt call DMV with it being Vets Day

BTW~HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ANYONE THAT IS ONE! Thank you for your service......

Anyhow, heres my dilemma... I purchased a boat a couple months ago in illinois. The title that was given to me for the boat was signed, but was also filled out on the back to a different person that apparently purchased the boat at some time. They never had sent the title in to have it switched to their name and the boat ended up going through at least two other people that never titled it before i got it... Anyhow the BOAT issue is okay as far as i know for now. I had to contact this older gentleman that the boat was still titled to and he signed a power of attorney form that released the boat to me and off went my paperwork for the boat along with taxes paid....

Now, im stuck with figuring out what to do with the trailer as it had NO paperwork with it at all. I can still read the VIN number off of the trailer and I called DMV to see what i could do. I told them the VIN number and they told me it was a 1972 EZ loader. Which is correct. They asked me if i had the title to surrender and i told them NO. They then asked me if i knew who the owner of the trailer was... I asked if it was the last know name that i had of the owner of the boat. They said NO. I asked if it was the names that were signed on the back of the original title that i had. They said NO. I asked if it was the name of the person that I bought the boat from. They said NO. I only know of one other person that it could be, the person that i bought the boat from, bought the boat from a friend. I contacted the person i bought the boat from and he told me that his friend didnt have a title for it, but would contact him to see what he said.. SO IM WAITING right now.
Figured if i could get that name i could have a duplicate sent to them and then signed to me..... But i have a feeling that wont work figuring that a few people had their hands on this boat and never titled the boat nor trailer.

I called to ask them what i could do if i coudnt get anyone that was on the title.. They said i could apply for a bonded title or a court ordered title in front of a judge. I would have to have the trailer appraised for a fee from a trailer dealer, then call an insurance company to put a 3year assurity bond for 1.5 times the appraisal on the trailer. Then send that paperwork to them for the bonded....

So, i called DMV back while waiting to explore another dimension. HOMEMADE trailer Titles.... (i told them that i had a friend making me a trailer) Found out there are new laws with them and everything has to go through the Illinois Secretary of State Police to get one.. I have to complete a form they would send me, along with an Affirmation of Homemade trailer letter, a statement of construction letter, PICTURES of all sides-tounge-lights-safety chains-wheels-license plate brackets, and send them $95. Then i would have to wait for an approval then pay the necessary fees to get tags and registration....They wont tell me the name on their records as its a violation of their privacy policy...

Im confused on what to do, as i dont have a bunch of money around to go buy another trailer with a title and just scrap the one i have. Im pissed at the same time as they wont tell me who it is, as they can just get another title and sign it. I mean, the trailer is 40 years old and its obviously not a homemade trailer. I can visibly see the VIN on it, but all DMV wants to do is hunt down whomever it was that hasnt titled it and hit them with past TAXES on it. All i want to do is once finished with my resto, GO BOATING and not lose my boat or get a ticket or tow in the process.

DOWN ON MY TRAILER LUCK in ILLINOIS,
Jersey

 

[sschefer]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

If I was you, I'd find a legal trailer on craigslist and put it under the boat then take the one you have and scrap it.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

I called to ask them what i could do if i coudnt get anyone that was on the title.. They said i could apply for a bonded title or a court ordered title in front of a judge. I would have to have the trailer appraised for a fee from a trailer dealer, then call an insurance company to put a 3year assurity bond for 1.5 times the appraisal on the trailer. Then send that paperwork to them for the bonded....

I suspect that this is your best bet. Go with the appraisal and insurance. This is going to be cheaper than the fine and legal hassle when you get caught falsifying the title for the "homemade" or tampering with the vin number, and it sounds like they may visually check the trailer. Once you start down that road there would be no going back.

Even trying to sell it for scrap may require a title with your name on it to prove your authority to sell it. Scrap yards have come under more stringent scrutiny due to metal theft being so prevalent.

 

[mfgniagara]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Don't these states who title boat trailers realize that most states have no boat trailer titles? I keep reading all these horror stories about states with title requirements and am glad I live in a state that don't title trailers under 2500lbs and has no problem calling an unknown trailer homemade.

The main reason to get a tag on a trailer is so you can ID the owner or driver on the road. If they think for a minute it has anything to do with controlling theft, take a look at the non title states.

 

[cturboaddict]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

I suspect that this is your best bet. Go with the appraisal and insurance. This is going to be cheaper than the fine and legal hassle when you get caught falsifying the title for the "homemade" or tampering with the vin number, and it sounds like they may visually check the trailer. Once you start down that road there would be no going back.

Even trying to sell it for scrap may require a title with your name on it to prove your authority to sell it. Scrap yards have come under more stringent scrutiny due to metal theft being so prevalent.

Yes, i was a bit worried about the falsification of the title with it being homemade. They require pictures (yes, im sure you could take pictures of a different trailer and send it to them), but if they ever came to look at it, you would know for sure its not homemade. Its an EZLOADER with rollers... and its 40 years old. YOU CAN TELL...

Im not sure on the scrap with a title issue, but i guess i would have to worry about that at the time. Ive got a friend in missouri who builds BBQ trailers that would want it to tear into peices anyhow.

 

[cturboaddict]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Don't these states who title boat trailers realize that most states have no boat trailer titles? I keep reading all these horror stories about states with title requirements and am glad I live in a state that don't title trailers under 2500lbs and has no problem calling an unknown trailer homemade.

The main reason to get a tag on a trailer is so you can ID the owner or driver on the road. If they think for a minute it has anything to do with controlling theft, take a look at the non title states.

Aint that the truth... But the worst part is-the VIN is on the trailer, and it is titled in Illinois to someone?

 

[sschefer]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Like I said, stop overthinking it and stressing over it. There's no risk in destroying it. Jeeze, nobody knows who owns it!

Just burn the VIN number or cut it out and keep it for a soveiner. You can probably find a legal trailer for about 200.00. If DMV ever ask's just tell them it was destroyed. It happens every day.

 

[geeco1]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Do you have a policeman friend. I would think that they would be able to look up the last registered owner of the trailer.

I too live in Illinois, not too far from you. As you probably know, we run into the same issues with O/B motors because Illinois doesn't title the motor but Missouri does.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Don't these states who title boat trailers realize that most states have no boat trailer titles? I keep reading all these horror stories about states with title requirements and am glad I live in a state that don't title trailers under 2500lbs and has no problem calling an unknown trailer homemade.

Youre talking about Illinois. Last two govs indicted and 15 mil in the red. Its a huuuuuge run around in Il to get boat and trailer titled. When i purchased my first boat the seller didnt title it. I explained to him what the ramifications were to him if he didnt title it (not going to be able to sell boat and trailer in IL) Fortunately, he knew the guy he purchasd from and the old owner signed off on the boat and trailer title. Then.......I had to fill out a tax form and pay the juice back to the state of Illinois! Go Illini!

 

[jayhanig]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

I suspect that this is your best bet. Go with the appraisal and insurance. This is going to be cheaper than the fine and legal hassle when you get caught falsifying the title for the "homemade" or tampering with the vin number, and it sounds like they may visually check the trailer. Once you start down that road there would be no going back.

I'd go with either this or SSchefer's advice to look on Craigslist for a cheap replacement trailer that can be titled.

You should learn a good lesson from this experience. The trailer title is as important as the boat's and motor's (if an OB). Inability to produce one ought to be a deal breaker unless the price is such that you can afford to replace the trailer with one that is legal.

 

[Cannondale]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

You should learn a good lesson from this experience. The trailer title is as important as the boat's and motor's (if an OB). Inability to produce one ought to be a deal breaker unless the price is such that you can afford to replace the trailer with one that is legal.

But, again, the title issue is only appropriate for states that do indeed title trailers.....or boats or OB's.

Georgia, for instance, only registers trailers. There is no title to be had for them. And you can register a trailer with nothing more than a bill of sale.

Boats......again, no titles. If you have a title, you surrender it when registering it in GA. But you better have either a notarized or witnessed bill of sale when you go to register it. Been there, done that a few times. On my current boat, the seller never registered it, so his bill of sale ended up being useless to me as the boat was registered to the owner prior to the guy I bought it from.

Thankfully, the GA DNR was kind enough to provide the name of the last known registered owner and a phone call solved it....got a bill of sale from him and all was taken care of.

OB's in GA have no title nor registration at all.

So depends on state.....and I can see serious potential problems when selling boats/OB's/trailers from one state to another. Wish there was an organized, consistent regulation covering all states with boats like there is with cars and trucks. Then again, in GA, if a vehicle is over 17 years old, you don't need a title for that, either....just a bill of sale.

 

[dlngr]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Go to your local automotive recycler[junkyard] and offer them $50 for a trailer title.

 

[cturboaddict]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Like I said, stop overthinking it and stressing over it. There's no risk in destroying it. Jeeze, nobody knows who owns it!

Just burn the VIN number or cut it out and keep it for a soveiner. You can probably find a legal trailer for about 200.00. If DMV ever ask's just tell them it was destroyed. It happens every day.

I think your on track with what im just going to have to do to have a legit deal. The trailer i have is 40 years old anyhow and most of the rollers are are looking like their gonna need some help when i dip this boat.

 

[cturboaddict]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Go to your local automotive recycler[junkyard] and offer them $50 for a trailer title.

Might just see what can happen with that...

 

[cturboaddict]

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Re: STUPID illinois trailer issue~ again

Do you have a policeman friend. I would think that they would be able to look up the last registered owner of the trailer.

I too live in Illinois, not too far from you. As you probably know, we run into the same issues with O/B motors because Illinois doesn't title the motor but Missouri does.

My brother is a P.O. in missouri though? Ill try and call him...
Yeah, the motor at this time isnt really a big deal to me. YET! as im going to be in the hunt for another some time down the road...

 

[garzilla]

Re: illinois trailer issue~ again

CTURBOADDICT....
I have the same problem....boat title is fine, trailer title was signed by a guy, but he moved to KY, and never titled it.....I go to the dmv...guy said "you're screwed".
"Skipping titles is illegal"...fill out power of attorney letter..blah blah blah....

Buddy of mine went to a currency exchange, said he bought a trailer from Wisconsin, and needs plates...(whip up a bill of sale having someone that "sold" you the trailer sign it ...they did everything right there for him...no questions asked.

Granted, this was a couple years ago, so maybe things have changed...but he said it was super easy.

I also asked this same question on another IL based fishing site, many responses saying this is the way to go...homebuilt trailer is kind of a PITA..

 

[109jb]

Re: illinois trailer issue~ again

CTURBOADDICT....
I have the same problem....boat title is fine, trailer title was signed by a guy, but he moved to KY, and never titled it.....I go to the dmv...guy said "you're screwed".
"Skipping titles is illegal"...fill out power of attorney letter..blah blah blah....

Buddy of mine went to a currency exchange, said he bought a trailer from Wisconsin, and needs plates...(whip up a bill of sale having someone that "sold" you the trailer sign it ...they did everything right there for him...no questions asked.

Granted, this was a couple years ago, so maybe things have changed...but he said it was super easy.

I also asked this same question on another IL based fishing site, many responses saying this is the way to go...homebuilt trailer is kind of a PITA..

My guess is that if the trailer was titled in Illinois, the application from the currency exchange will go to the Secretary of State office in Springfield and then be rejected.

 

[riptide09]

Re: illinois trailer issue~ again

I live in MA where boats longer than 14' and trailers must have titles. I went through the hassles of a boat with no title. Never again. It is amazing how many sellers can't believe it when I walk away from a deal because the paperwork is not in order.

If I was in this situation I would get a junker trailer for low $$ of Craigslist and register/title that trailer and put the plate and sticker and my current trailer. In 20+ years of boating I have never had anyone ask to see the registration etc. on my trailer if it had a current plate and sticker on it.

 

[garzilla]

Re: illinois trailer issue~ again

My guess is that if the trailer was titled in Illinois, the application from the currency exchange will go to the Secretary of State office in Springfield and then be rejected.

Why do you say that?
He (my friend) said that when his new title came, they also sent him a tag that he riveted onto the trailer.....they didn't ask for any numbers at the currency exchange at all.

One would think that illinois being as crooked and backwards, all they would care about is if you have the money, they'll transfer whatever.......i guess not on a simple boat trailer..

 

[109jb]

Re: illinois trailer issue~ again

Why do you say that?
He (my friend) said that when his new title came, they also sent him a tag that he riveted onto the trailer.....they didn't ask for any numbers at the currency exchange at all.

One would think that illinois being as crooked and backwards, all they would care about is if you have the money, they'll transfer whatever.......i guess not on a simple boat trailer..

Because when the paperwork gets to Springfield, the VIN will show up in their computers as a trailer owned by a person other than the seller listed on your fake bill of sale and on the title transfer paperwork..