1.) Buy something with paper real cheap, put the VIN on your trailer and scrap the cheap one?
2.) I need to prove ownership on a trailer that was never registered or Titled. It is factory made and has a VIN, can I go to the manufacturer and track down the first owner, then go through the lineage?
Thanks.
In Michigan you fill out an affidavit stating that you "built" the trailer. Everyone at the DMV knows its a lie but that's the way it works. You also need a weight certificate.
When I lived in NY, I recall my rusty old boat trailer had more value in the papers then the actual trailer. That's all I got.
Might also want to consider this:
https://www.mainetrailerregistrations.com/
Thanks Fox, I've heard stories about the Maine registration but never actually seen it.
I have a valid plate registered to me that is good until next April, I have a little time.
Dan
In Georgia if it doesn't have a VIN you would get paperwork and a TIN (trailer ID #) plate from the tag office, permanently mount the TIN plate to the trailer, Get it "inspected" by the sheriff's dept of said county, then take the signed paperwork back to the tag office and pay for a tag. I've done it on both boat trailers so far. Both were obviously not homebuilt, but since the manufacturers didn't issue a VIN, that was how it was handled.
If it HAS a factory issued VIN, I would guess you would take in the bill of sale showing that VIN and they'd run it through the system to make sure it wasn't stolen, then issue you a tag. But I've never done that.
OTOH, if the factory VIN tag fell off before you got to the office, well, I guess you'd just go through the homebuilt process.
TBH, I think most tag departments are pretty lenient about trailers. They know they are a shambles for recordkeeping.
In Ohio you can get it registered as a home built by taking a weight slip into the DMV and they give you a plate.
Be careful. In SC option #1 is a crime with serious consequences. We also don't need tags for small trailers. We can also get a title and tag by going the homemade route.
I would title it through Maine or Michigan. Not sure if Michigan has residency requirements or not, but Maine definitely does not. We've done MIchigan in the past because Grandpa had a place there.
What state? In FL I've done the homemade option a few times.
Maine is the way to go. I used http://www.mbi-trailers.com/ and the process was stupid simple and cheap. I've been to Maine, but never lived there.
Of course, if you should try to sell that trailer, you're going to run into buyers who want paperwork...
edited to add: for smaller trailers, Maine doesn't even do titles. Even easier.
I registered mine in Maine as a "homebuilt" easy peasy
You may be able to get a duplicate certificate of origin through the manufacturer.
I would start with your insurance agent. They should be familiar with the local DMV and know the best approach to register it with minimal hassle.
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