Buying a trailer from TN with no title

csanderlin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2009
Location
mocksville
I am looking at a trailer from TN which they are not required to have a title in the state . Anyone run into the this before

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
My understanding is that certain trailers are not required to be registered or tagged in TN, but if its a nice factory built trailer it should have a paper trail somewhere.

I jumped through a bunch of hoops to register my home built car trailer in TN. I mainly did it so I could get a tag and not get hassled crossing into Virginia. The paperwork was the biggest pain in the rear as it seems they wanted different things every time I talked to the county clerk. When the DOT officer came to inspect the trailer it was the easiest part. He checked it over all the lights, checked the brakes by having me pull it a few feet with the brakes energized, and looked at the tires.

After all the crap I went through there is no way I would buy a trailer without a title unless it still had the MSO and I could use it to get a title. I don't know how hard it is to get a title in NC without a MSO or a current title so you would have to decide how much you are willing to put up with.
 
While not required I have always got a tag and title for my trailers in TN. One of mine was stolen and I really hope someone tries to get a tag for it in the future, lol.
 
Long story short - I bought an m100 in NC, no title, no bill of sale, no data plates, nothing. (It had been in Saudi Arabia for a long time)

I went to the tag office, told them the situation, and they said they could register it as a homemade trailer.

They gave me a "vin" number that had to be stamped on the tongue and axle, and then I had to get a State Trooper to inspect it.

Was not too big of a hassle, but getting someone helpful at the tag office is key.

My trailer is titled as a 1952 home-made trailer, I can run a 1952 tag like a classic car, and I couldn't be happier with how it worked out.
 
Yeah this one is a 25-foot gooseneck

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
thecj3man said:
My understanding is that certain trailers are not required to be registered or tagged in TN, but if its a nice factory built trailer it should have a paper trail somewhere.

I jumped through a bunch of hoops to register my home built car trailer in TN. I mainly did it so I could get a tag and not get hassled crossing into Virginia. The paperwork was the biggest pain in the rear as it seems they wanted different things every time I talked to the county clerk. When the DOT officer came to inspect the trailer it was the easiest part. He checked it over all the lights, checked the brakes by having me pull it a few feet with the brakes energized, and looked at the tires.

After all the crap I went through there is no way I would buy a trailer without a title unless it still had the MSO and I could use it to get a title. I don't know how hard it is to get a title in NC without a MSO or a current title so you would have to decide how much you are willing to put up with.
Click to expand...
Its my understanding you can pull anywhere in TN w/o a tag but need one for out of state.Ive pulled a bunch thru VA,the Carolinas and OH w/o a tag w no problems....Yet.
 
Yea I don't want to get pulled for something stupid like tag

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
csanderlin said:
Yeah this one is a 25-foot gooseneck

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It would be hard for me to say about a trailer like that. It could be 100% legit and they never titled it. My pap has a 24' Hurst gooseneck and he refuses to get a tag for it because he doesn't want to pay the tax or the $95 for a permanent trailer tag. That's ok for him because he never goes further than Greeneville or Bristol.
 
Yea true

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
1-tonmudder said:
Its my understanding you can pull anywhere in TN w/o a tag but need one for out of state.Ive pulled a bunch thru VA,the Carolinas and OH w/o a tag w no problems....Yet.
Click to expand...

That is my understanding as well.

We pulled trailers for years without issue going into Virginia and North Carolina. But one faithful day a few years ago my dad and uncle got stopped between Abingdon and the state line with a new lawn tractor they bought new in Abingdon. I don't recall the exact fine, but they were pretty pissed off by the whole ordeal.
 
thecj3man said:
It would be hard for me to say about a trailer like that. It could be 100% legit and they never titled it. My pap has a 24' Hurst gooseneck and he refuses to get a tag for it because he doesn't want to pay the tax or the $95 for a permanent trailer tag. That's ok for him because he never goes further than Greeneville or Bristol.
Click to expand...
I have a 20 foot car trailer that the owner never titled.I have the MSO for it but it's in the original purchasers name,who is deceased,and I bought it off a person who got it to settle a debt.So basically I cant get a title because its in the orig owners name and he never paid the tax on it.
 
thecj3man said:
That is my understanding as well.

We pulled trailers for years without issue going into Virginia and North Carolina. But one faithful day a few years ago my dad and uncle got stopped between Abingdon and the state line with a new lawn tractor they bought new in Abingdon. I don't recall the exact fine, but they were pretty pissed off by the whole ordeal.
Click to expand...
Yeah it just takes that one guy.I got stopped 8/10 years ago on Int 81 outside of fall branch w a load of axle in the bed of the truck.He stopped me because I had my website address on the back window w/o a commercial tag.Since I was using the truck for business I had to have a commercial tag,or so he said.Got a commercial tag and they dropped the ticket.
 
I bought an enclosed trailer from a Georgia resident about 4 years ago. He was the original buyer. He did have a certificate of origin in his name from the trailer manufacturer, but no title.. We did a bill of sale between us. I went to the DMV with all my paperwork. All they needed was the bill of sale. Walked out with tag and registration, but the NC title took about 4 months to show up.
 
ncpartsguy said:
Long story short - I bought an m100 in NC, no title, no bill of sale, no data plates, nothing. (It had been in Saudi Arabia for a long time)

I went to the tag office, told them the situation, and they said they could register it as a homemade trailer.

They gave me a "vin" number that had to be stamped on the tongue and axle, and then I had to get a State Trooper to inspect it.

Was not too big of a hassle, but getting someone helpful at the tag office is key.

My trailer is titled as a 1952 home-made trailer, I can run a 1952 tag like a classic car, and I couldn't be happier with how it worked out.
Click to expand...
How long ago was this?

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk
 
Blue CJ said:
I bought an enclosed trailer from a Georgia resident about 4 years ago. He was the original buyer. He did have a certificate of origin in his name from the trailer manufacturer, but no title.. We did a bill of sale between us. I went to the DMV with all my paperwork. All they needed was the bill of sale. Walked out with tag and registration, but the NC title took about 4 months to show up.
Click to expand...

fordwheelinman said:
How long ago was this?
Click to expand...

This was my experience as well this spring at the DMV in Kannapolis. Came in with my Certificate of origin and they wanted a bill of sale or a receipt. Came back with the receipt and was all set. Took less than a month to get the title back.
 
CarolinaHD said:
This was my experience as well this spring at the DMV in Kannapolis. Came in with my Certificate of origin and they wanted a bill of sale or a receipt. Came back with the receipt and was all set. Took less than a month to get the title back.
Click to expand...
I dont have a certificate of origin. I have a trailer frame.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk
 
Bought my boat in 2013. From Alabama and no title on the trailer. It was zero hassle getting it titled and tagged
 
I have been pulling my car trailer and 30 ft gooseneck around for 20 years with no title or tags. It has been in at least 15 + different states and no problems. I was in nc with it 7 days ago.
 
Back
Top