Hung up Paul Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 I'm a Virginia resident looking to buy a 14ft jon that's in Maryland. The guy doesn't have a title for the trailer. I called the Virginia DMV and they said I need a title. It doesn't look like the seller wants to go through the trouble of getting a title for it, so I guess I'll have to do it myself. But can I, as a VA resident, get a title in Maryland? Anyone run into this situation before? Quote
Team_Dougherty Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 Check to see if your state will allow the titling of home made trailers. If it does buy it. Take it home a register it as home made. In PA, where I live, this is a very easy and common practice. Edit to add After a quick search Virgina does. here is the form. http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/vsa22.pdf Quote
tntitans21399 Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 I know here in TN you just need a bill of sale, but when I was talking to a guy when I bought a boat in IN he said if you have to get a title for the boat trailer to just go to a local police department and they will come out look it and stamp it or something and then you can title it. So you might want to see if you can do something like that with your local police station. I would also call your local boat sales centers and see what they do in the case. I would also call you local Wildlife, or whatever authority, (in tennessee TWRA) that monitors your local lakes, and ask them. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 10, 2008 Super User Posted January 10, 2008 If you cannot get a certificate of orgin or a title, you can register it as a homemade and get a serial number from DMV and that number has to be witnessed by a police officer when it is installed. It has to be installed so that it cannot be removed. I used rivets to do one. You will still need the bill of sale to indicate the cost for tax purposes. Quote
Hung up Paul Posted January 12, 2008 Author Posted January 12, 2008 Well I went to the DMV today to try to get a temporary trip tag to bring the boat home. They wouldn't give me one without title information from the seller. I told the woman that the guy didn't have a title and wasn't going to get one... I don't know what to do. It sounds like they would give me a hard time trying to title it in VA without the MD title. Should I risk hauling it home and dealing with it all? Here it is... http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/boa/530499860.html Quote
Team_Dougherty Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 Do you have another trailer? use the tag from that. Once you get it home. apply for the homemade trailer title posted above. I have a pop-up and two boat trailers and only one tag. i just move it to the trailer I am using at that time. Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 Do you have another trailer? use the tag from that. Once you get it home. apply for the homemade trailer title posted above.I have a pop-up and two boat trailers and only one tag. i just move it to the trailer I am using at that time. There are a few ways to "fudge" it, most illegal, like the suggestion above. I think he's looking to do this "straight up" or it would be done already. In RI, we contact the State Police and make an inspection appointment. THEY EVEN COME TO THE BOAT! They inspect and will either "pass" or "fail" you. If they pass you, they provide you with the paperwork needed to get it through the registry. Quote
Team_Dougherty Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 The only"legal" issue he has is using his other trailer tag for the trip home. What are the chances of him having any issue? Filling out the form to get a title for homemade trailer when he gets home is not a problem. That is why they have the form. Looking at the pictures there is a tag on the trailer already. How did the current owner get that? Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 The only"legal" issue he has is using his other trailer tag for the trip home.What are the chances of him having any issue? True, I know where my neighbor keeps her car key, I'm sure I could steal it without getting caught,...should I? I'm not being "over-moral" here, I'm just saying, why fudge it if you can get it done right. Looking at the pictures there is a tag on the trailer already. How did the current owner get that? Who is to say he didn't steal the trailer?? Who is to say he didn't steal the plate? Who is to say he didn't steal the trailer and put the plate from his other trailer on it? Like you said, it's easy. That's why we have these processes of documentation Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 Not busting your chops TD, just saying that getting it done legally is just as easy as fudging it. Plus, how do you insure it?? God forbid there was ever an accident........ Quote
Super User Sam Posted January 12, 2008 Super User Posted January 12, 2008 Did you ask the DMV lady that if you brought in a bill of sale would that suffice in lieu of a Maryland title? Did you call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries? Sometimes they are very helpful with problems and they can give you some insight. Driving to Baltimore or Annapolis is a pain on a good day so have you called the Maryland DMV or Game Commission and asked for their advice before going to Baltimore or Annapolis in search of the title? I am sure this goes on all over the country. What bothers me is that you need that title to prove ownership and that the trailer is not stolen. If the trailer has been stolen the authorities will take it from you and return it to the rightful owner. Please let us know what happens and what you find out. Thanks. Quote
Hung up Paul Posted January 12, 2008 Author Posted January 12, 2008 I think I'm going to wait for another boat. I was ready to go up and risk the ride home but from what the DMV woman was saying is that it would be difficult for me to get a title for it in VA for many of the reasons you guys listed. I don't think it's worth the headache. Thanks for the suggestions. Paul Quote
Team_Dougherty Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 Not busting your chops TD, just saying that getting it done legally is just as easy as fudging it. Plus, how do you insure it?? God forbid there was ever an accident........ I understand no problem. we are all adults here this is just a discussion on what he can do to solve his problem. I know my car insurance will cover any trailer I tow. While I am towing it. My home owners covers it in the garage. I have separate insurance for the boat on the water. When he files for the homemade trailer he will have a title showing he owns it. Who will ever know what the guy he buys it from did to get it. There maybe no "legal" way to get it done if the guy does not have the title for the trailer. Does Washington DC even title trailers? Just like some states do not title boats. PA does, Title boats, only over a certain length and after a certain model year. I know some states do not if the trailer is under a certain capacity. I am just offering suggestions Quote
Hung up Paul Posted January 13, 2008 Author Posted January 13, 2008 Problem solved. The guy sold the boat out from under me yesterday. He probably saved me a big hassle. On the lookout for another one. Quote
Super User Sam Posted January 13, 2008 Super User Posted January 13, 2008 Have you tried this site for boats? www.vabass.com It is the Virginia Bass Federation and they have ads for boats on the site. Quote
Hung up Paul Posted January 13, 2008 Author Posted January 13, 2008 Thanks I'll keep an eye on it, but there doesn't seem to be many cheap little jon boats posted there. I think I'll have better luck on craigslist. Quote
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