No Title? Here's how you MIGHT get one

[Kim H]

This is my first discussion post and I hope this helps someone else out there who either looking for a trailer or trying to title their's

 

First I live in South Carolina and depending on who you talk to at the DMV you may get a different answer.  The rules are changing nationally and it appears that most states are requiring a title for all trailers regardless of the weight.  This was not the case last year but this year I'm told by 5 individuals at the DMV that it is required. 

 

If you don't have a title for your trailer or the one that you want to buy.  Here's what you might be able to do.  Unfortunately it appears it will not work for us in SC

If you have not title on the unit, don't assume it was lost.  I found out that alot of vintage trailers before 1975 did never had a title from the mfg.  What started this search for information... A 1970 Serro Scotty that did not have a title.  After talking to quite a few people, I was told that an MSO may be acquired from the mfg and that with the bill of sale can be used to get a new title.  Obviously some of you won't have this option because the mfg is out of business.  An MSO is the Manufactures Origination paperwork.  You contact the Manufacturer (if they are still around) and they can print this for you UNLESS the trailer never had a title as in this case.

Armed with the information about the MSO, I contacted Serro Scotty.  They were really nice and said this is a very common problem.  He informed me that he was unable to process the MSO request because until the mid 70s they were not required to have titles and therefore there was no way to do an MSO.  But,  he could print (and fax to your DMV) a letter on Serro Scotty letterhead that states clearly that that year moded did not have a title. He said most DMV's will use this in place of a MSO.  (I found out later that SC will not.)

So... SC is as backward as I thought with procedures and no understanding the real world.  UGH!

A couple of hours on the phone and I found out some good inormation.  Now, I believe he named off 4 or 5 states that he new would accept an MSO and bill of sale as proof of ownership and use that to process the paperwork for the new title.

 

I hope this research helps at least one of you in your search. 

 

We are still looking for our vintage trailer and hope to acquire one in the next few months. 

[Tim & Peggy Kearns]

I've got a 15' camper (the blue one in my photos) that I got with only a bill of sale, no title. To make things worse there is no V.I.N. number, no ID tags and no mnufacturers info anywhere on her. So, residing in Pa.(short for pain in ........) can anyone tell me how to get plates for this ol'girl?

[Ernest Lingerfelt]

I have a 20' 1973 Open Road camper and i have the title but the chain of ownership was broken so the state of Georgia DMV told me i have to get a title bond and its going to cost me $100.00 to acuire one from an insurence co. here

[darrell coons]

I just purchased a 14' Kit trailer w/o a title (was going to just move it to our hunting camp and park it) but decided I want to license it..thats a no go w/o title in TN..I was going to go through a place in Maine (the only one I could find) but it would cost me 400.00..hate to spend that on an 800.00 camper..and 45-90 days to get it done..what are the states that will accept a MSO?..there used to be places that sold used titles for sale years ago..I remember my friend getting one for a 34 kit car,,cant find anything on those places now
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