Buying Trailers With Expired Registrations?

[dulouz]

I have been looking for used trailers on craigslist and there are a lot out there that have expired registrations and they all say to register it as home made? Is this something they are saying just to sell it, or is it something that is a viable solution?

[Jim McC]

I don't see why it's a problem to buy a trailer with expired registration. I assume you mean an expired license plate? Because plates cannot be transfered to you anyway. You have to apply for a new one(if required by your state). Here in WI. we don't have to register a trailer unless it weighs over 3,000 lbs.

As far as registering it as home-made, I don't know what that's about.

To be sure, you should call your DMV and ask.

[Shane Procell]

I know in Florida it is easy to register as "Home Made". It does not matter who built the trailer. My trailer was a REPO, I bought off craigs list. Went to register, but I had no registration. They would do nothing with the Bill of sale without a current registration. My buddy who build trailers told me to go have it weighed at a certified weigh station, which I did. I took the weigh "certificate" to the tag agency and told her it was a home made trailer and gave her the certified weigh certificate. It was a piece of cake. Now my rergistration say "Home Made". Good luck.

[Fishing Rhino]

I don't know about that. Aren't you concerned that if you are stopped by a cop, or involved in an accident, they may discover it isn't homemade? Sounds to me like you may be opening a nasty can of worms.

There aren't many "homemade" trailers that look like name brand boat trailers. If you cannot get a clean title, or an acceptable bill of sale, the trailer is not legally yours, no matter what you call it.

[Bassin_0502]

At least in Delaware there is a distinction between 'registration' and 'title'. Trailers are required to have a title just like motor vehicles and the title defines the owner for legal purposes. When you purchase or sell a trailer, the title is transferred (at which point the new owner will re-title it in their name and pay whatever the state transfer tax is). Registration simply defines whether the trailer can be used on the roads, ie has insurance, passes inspection etc. I don't believe that Titles expire, but registrations do.

Buying a trailer without a title can be a real problem, expired registration is not. As far as the home-made, some Motor Vehicle Departments will be more lenient than others. Most would look on the axle (or other frame member) and look for a Vehicle ID number stamped. Technically if there is a Title out there somewhere with that number then 'they' own that trailer, not you. A big bag of worms, that could be a real hassle.

Good luck

[Team_Dougherty]

At least in Delaware there is a distinction between 'registration' and 'title'. Trailers are required to have a title just like motor vehicles and the title defines the owner for legal purposes. When you purchase or sell a trailer, the title is transferred (at which point the new owner will re-title it in their name and pay whatever the state transfer tax is). Registration simply defines whether the trailer can be used on the roads, ie has insurance, passes inspection etc. I don't believe that Titles expire, but registrations do.

Buying a trailer without a title can be a real problem, expired registration is not. As far as the home-made, some Motor Vehicle Departments will be more lenient than others. Most would look on the axle (or other frame member) and look for a Vehicle ID number stamped. Technically if there is a Title out there somewhere with that number then 'they' own that trailer, not you. A big bag of worms, that could be a real hassle.

Good luck

This is how PA does it as well. The title shows who owns the trailer. You should never buy a trailer with out a title, EVER. The registration just shows who the trailer is registered to. This can be different than the owner. Just like leased cars. You can buy a trailer with no or expired registration. The title is what you need.

A homemade or kit trailer, Harbor Freight, is a little tough in PA. Pictures need to be taken, it needs to be weighed, taken to an inspection station and paperwork filled out. It can be done though.

[Shane Procell]

Florida does not Title trailers under 2000#'s. But all trailers must have a registration to get a tag.

[Al Wolbach]

Tennessee does not title boat trailers nor require a registration or a license plate...........Al

[dulouz]

Wow, I didn't realize there was so much variation. I talked to a marina in Wisconsin, they don't require titles. The guy thought that it was a hassel that Iowa does and told me that 90% of Iowa's boat trailers were falsely registered as home made. Who knows if that is accurate.