Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

[Godfirst]

Bought a used boat and trailer live in Ca from a outside resident met the selller half way a few hundred miles made the purchase when got home noticed no title for trailer just the boat, called the seller and he said the trailer was never registered and thats the way he bought it but was very courtious so I said that was your resposibility he said sory but the trailer was from alaska supposely and needed no titile. The next day I callled the Utah state dmv the sellers locations they could not help me for anything I suggested a lost or bonded title they said no cause I'am not a resident even after talking to a supervisor, so I called the local Ca dmv and they gave me the ring around and said not there responsibility since last registered in Utah on record 20 years ago and can't help end of deal but call Sacramento and see what bthey say after about a month of trying to get through the worker said nothing they can do but its a pile of parts or sell it back to someone in Utah, my question trying to do something legal and they don't care even after proven its not stolen, any suggestions?? yea heard of the home made perspective but here in Ca you need several forms and have to go to the highway patrol to get it check off really stuck here.......

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Its one of those things you have to deal with and work through. With out the proper paper work, it is what it is.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

GF -

You posted this a while ago . . . (right?) Same answer as before. Unless you can trace back and actually get the proper documentation, the agencies are not going to do anything. Lesson learned for the future, perhaps

 

[lrak]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Following the "right" route probably won't work here. It is much easier to use a legal loophole. I'd suggest you find someone trustworthy in a state that does not title trailers under a certain weight or vehicles over 20 years old or ... something that excludes your trailer from title. Sell them the trailer for $100. Have them register the trailer and sell it back to you for $200 a month later. You then have the previous owners registration as well as a bill of sale from a non-title state. The DMV has to accept that as proof of ownership.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

^^^^ Good idea . . .

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

(didn't see any federal government in your post... Registration is entirely a local/state matter, and you are dealing with the fun of every state having their own system! Not like it would be better if it were run at the federal level, then you would have one large headache instead of 4 smaller ones!)

Anyway, I agree, going through the system the normal way is going to be painful... I've done it. This is certainly one of those times where you use the loopholes of the system against itself. I'd give the Maine DMV a call, they are more than happy to register anything resembling a trailer. (I'm normally against going around local registration, as it is taking money away from your roads and giving them to a different state, but this is the exception.)

http://www.mainetrailerregistrations.com/

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Last time I had to get the authorities to sign off on an inspection, my local town marshal was able to sign on the forms--not the Highway Patrol. There's some way to get this done within California if you found someone inside the government that actually cared about his job.

I too was a victim of the DMV when I bought a car from a Marin County dealer and drop shipped it back East. California was hitting me up for a 9.25% sales tax, despite what the state law (online) said. I had to petition a variance from the Board of Equalization.

How about titling it all in Oregon? Last time I was in Los Angeles, I was bowled over by how many CA vehicles were running cheaper Oregon license plates. Everyone in California has a relative or brother in law living up there for the simple life--and lower cost of living.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

If you explained it over the phone like you did in your first post, no wonder. Take a breath, man. Only Faulkner can write like that.

I often say there are no rules that pertain to every boat situation except one. Now I think there is another one, and that is, never buy a boat/trailer you are going to use unless it has a title.

 

[murrayfish]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Put new lights and paint on it and tell them you built it and need a title. You will need a CHP inspection signed off for safety also.
That is how I have worked around this in the past.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Perhaps a bill of sale from the seller with a letter stating that the trailer was from a state that didn't require registration would work. California has to have a plan for someone who moves in from outta' state with an unregistered trailer, don't they?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Perhaps a bill of sale from the seller with a letter stating that the trailer was from a state that didn't require registration would work. California has to have a plan for someone who moves in from outta' state with an unregistered trailer, don't they?

Nope. Other states don't.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

I had a similar problem with a trailer I bought with no VIN on it. I had someone suggest to me that I should go to Harbor Freight and buy one of their cheap trailers and use the title and VIN from it. I didn't have to do that though, CT. seems to have laxed up on there rigidness reguarding missing VINs since it seems to be a common problem. Ended up filling out a bunch of paperwork swearing I didn't steal it, had it inspected by DMV and they assigned a new VIN.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

I agree with Murrayfish. Mine was from Wi, no title or registration and MN requires one. It took two visits to the DMV. First trip I acted dumb and asked a lot of questions. Second trip I declared it "home built" and my official serial number is now 867-5309. I could probably have gotten by with a bill of sale but this way was more fun and easier. Doing it in person will likely get you further than phone work.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Hey thanks bamaman1 above for the info I agree the real issue is these DMV workers don't want to do their jobs, Yea and I do have a relative in Oregon your theory is right... lol
take care

 

[Godfirst]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Thanks for all the imput,

As to the poster above I said I called Sacramento's main office for licensing and registration and was told from a bueracratic typical worker that they can not help, the real issue is they have the power to call these agencies to overide them and actually have them help someone without an attitude and do a lost or bonded title and that requires alittle effort on the dmv agencies to mail letters to the last known register if no reply and new title is issued. So Ca redlands dmv and utah dmv won't do there jobs end of story and Imm pis......

 

[Charlie in TX]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

buy something like Heavy Duty Utility Trailer - 870 Lb. Capacity . It will come with a certificate of origination. Take that to DMV and get a plate. Sell the Harbor Freight trailer on craigslist.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

I'm in California, I went the "home built" way with my trailer. I did not have to have the CHP inspect it. I made an appointment, went down to the DMV, a DMV employee "inspected" my rusty old "home built trailer" put a sticker on the toungue with a Vin# then I payed them their money & was done.
IMO I don't think the DMV people care, they just want their $.

Good luck.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: Trailer registration problems and the federal government makes it worse

Wind dog,
Thats not my understanding go to the Ca website requires chp inspection and two forms, would like to do this legal and the govenment is making this undoable.