No title for trailer - attempt dealing with DMV or buy $500 titled trailer?

[Jason0352]

I just bought a 1988 Four Winns 18' Freedom Bowrider with the original Four Winns trailer. The seller did not have a title for the trailer and I don't know how to go about applying for a new one. I read some horror stories online and I'm almost at the point of just buying a boat trailer that's titled and "donating" the untitled one.

Disclaimer: I live in PA where they require your trailer to be titled for it to be road legal.

If after I call the notary office tomorrow and decide it would be easier to just go ahead and buy a titled boat trailer what should I look for? This one has caught my eye and I'm pretty sure it would hold my boat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0448466813&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If any other PA residents have experience dealing with lost/no title trailer applications I would love to hear your input as well.

Thanks

 

[SpeedySteve]

Re: No title for trailer - attempt dealing with DMV or buy $500 titled trailer?

I heard of someone one time in Texas running into the same thing. The lady at the DMV directing folks to the proper line asked that person what they needed and was told to say, "tell em the trailer is homemade!". But but, and she said, " they don't care as lone as they get the money for the trailer! Just tell em it is homemade I am telling you!". So that person steps up to the line and says I have a trailer I need to get a title on, oh and it is homemade. Bout a week later in comes the title.

True Story!
Don't ask how I know.
SS

 

[Jason0352]

Re: No title for trailer - attempt dealing with DMV or buy $500 titled trailer?

I've heard of that but, PA requires you to document everything in terms of receipts, directions on how you built it, etc.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: No title for trailer - attempt dealing with DMV or buy $500 titled trailer?

Yep in ohio, all you have to do is show a certified weight ticket and give the trailer a name, I bough my 90 Chaparral and the guy lost the trailer title, I just got it weighed and called it a Chaparral trailer, thats what now says on the registration.

 

[bwoodtx]

Re: No title for trailer - attempt dealing with DMV or buy $500 titled trailer?

Was the boat titled in the same state you live in? I bought a boat last summer out of state. Alabama didn't require a title for the trailer. I'm in Texas and had to apply for a trailer title. I ended up calling the department in Alabama that deals in titles and she faxed me a letter saying they didn't title trailers. I paid the fee and got the trailer titled. I have to say it was a frustrating 3 month process to get it all the paperwork and registration completed for the boat, motor, and trailer. Took way longer than it should have!
Good luck!