Bill of sale vs title

[Cyngbaeld]

I've been looking for a used trailer and most of them say they are "bill of sale" but don't have a title. What is with this? Don't you need a title to get tags, etc?

[Cheryl in SD]

It depends on your state. Call your local auditors or county treasurers office and ask what is required.

[Jenn]

In AL my trailer is covered by the tag on my towing vehicle so I never bothered registering it, epsecially since I take it on the public highway about four times a year.

[Alice In TX/MO]

In Texas, farm trailers don't have to have a title. You get the license plate with the bill of sale.

[cfabe]

In ohio the rule was any trailer over a certian weight needed a title, under that just had to show up with a weight slip and they'd give you plates. This is going to be a state specific rule so check locally. Perhaps even call the local DMV/BMV/secretary of state/town clerk/whoever gives the license plates.

[Wisconsin Ann]

Up here in cold wisconsin, our farm trailers don't need licenses either. Anything LARGE tho, does. (over 1ton, I think it is). ANYWAY....We bought a 10,000lb trailer, only got a bill of sale. The DMV here said I either needed a transferred title, or the guy's signature on a new title..as being the original owner...so I could get a new title.

Some states DO allow the bill of sale to be used to get a title. It's a live and learn up here. "oh yah..I built the trailer. It's legal. don't worry"

[GrannyG]

If the trailer is old, you can just sell it and give a bill of sale, they don't mess with the titles anymore. I bought one on a bill of sale from a trailer company, they told me due to the age of the trailer (it was a 12 x 60), they did not do titles anymore. I resold it after I used it for several years....again, a bill of sale, just listed the model, ID numbers, date, amount and that was all I had to do.

[Beeman]

I bought a used factory built trailer and it came with a title. Most here in TN will tell you you don't need a plate but that's not how the law reads. They just do no enforce the trailer license plate law so few register or tag their trailer.

[arabian knight]

If the trailer has no title and you are in a State that requires one then the MVD will Stamp one into the frame and make a Title for it. At least that is what the State of AZ. was going to do with a homemade trailer I bought that was made in Texas.~!
But i got a "temporary use" for one day in AZ. And I used THAT day to leave the State LOL. Of which I came back here to WI. and being a very small single axle pony trailer (miniature horses) I don't have to have plates on it here in WI.~ As in WI I believe the WT. limit for the trailer is like around 2500 pounds what the trailer weighs then you have to have plates on it. So in other words it would not bother me a bit if the trailer being sold just has a "Bill Of Sale"

[RosewoodfarmVA]

Here in Va farm trailers don't need to be registered/plated. But they do require "pleasure" trailers, like boat trailers or 4wheeler trailers to be registered. We have 3 large 16-20 ft trailers that we haul manure and hay on, several times a week, and often go long distances even into Nc a ways and have never had a problem. None of our trailers came with titles, didn't even get a bill of sale, just "here's your money:heres your trailer" sort of exchange! It depends on the state BUT I would think Texas (my grandparents are 5th generation Texan, since 1850) would not require tags as long as it's legitimate farm use.

[Home Harvest]

This doesn't apply to you, but here in PA all trailers must be titled and registered. When I moved to PA I had to get my craftsman utility trailer inspected since it was purchased as a kit, and not "professionally manufactured". In neighboring NJ they are registered, but no titles, so you can put a homemade trailer on the road.

It all depends on your state regulations.

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Jenn

In AL my trailer is covered by the tag on my towing vehicle so I never bothered registering it, epsecially since I take it on the public highway about four times a year.

Don't knowwhat kind of trailer you have but in North Alabama the state requires a tag on my 2 wheel utility trailer just bought it yesterday. We havent had it on the road in a couple of years but if we let it run out we have to pay extra to get it reinstated. David

[amwitched]

In the state of Texas, you may get away with just the license plate number to register a used trailer into your name. If it is new, the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin goes to the title office with the title application. Once the plates are issued by the tax office, the MCO is given back to the customer along with the registration. Most of the time the customer's lose the MCO or say that they never received it.

Just a note - you may need to know the weight of the trailer (empty) and the carrying capacity. Since it is used, those numbers should be in their system already. But be prepared to make something up, just in case.

[Spinner]

Here in Oklahoma we don't need a title. I'm not sure if they still do, but Arkansas used to make a title from a bill of sale.

[dragonfly1113]

I dont know what the laws are here but we had a choice to buy a bill of sale trailer cheap or pay a little more for one with a title. We chose the title. I asked why people do not have the title and this is what I was told. Trailer parks take people to court over lot rent not being paid and when it is a lot of back rent the trailer park can take possession of the trailer and sell it for the money owed. Of course the people who own it do not turn over the titles to them. That is what was told to me. I dont know if it is true or not.