Question about titles and tags

[HMK]

If I buy a TD from out of state that doesn't have title or tag? What can I do to tow it home legally?

[MtnDon]

No title? How's that going to work?

Haul it on a flatbed trailer.

[KennethW]

You might have X number of days to get it titled from the date of purchase. Using your bill of sale.

[tony.latham]

It depends on the laws of the state you buy it in and the same with the state you haul it to. I wouldn't be tooooo concerned about the state I was picking it up at, but would make sure I had my ducks in a row for titleing needs in the state that I lived in. I'd go talk to the people that title, assuming it's mandatory in your state for a teardrop, and ask them what sort of documents they need. Perhaps just a bill of sale. Dunno.

I'm currently building a teardrop cabin in Idaho for my sister and bro' in law and they are building the chassis. I'm assuming they will get the chassis licensed as a utility trailer (in Utah) for the trip up and down, and get it titled (and replated) when they get home. I'll give them a notarized affidavit and reciepts documenting the build to help them through the titling process.

Tony

[Redneck Teepee]

Not sure from what state to what state, but to be safe rent trailer to haul it on. Here in California no tags on anything is money in the bank to the CHP. I purchased my trailer in Az. but it was already vin. tagged and licensed in Az....they kept the plates and issued me a 90 day Az. permit which was recognized by California and I towed it home....but remember the trailer already had a Az. vin # attached to it. I had no issues registering it in Ca.

[HMK]

It would be Oklahoma to Texas. I will do some checking at the dmv.

[MtnDon]

I did not research in detail but it appears both OK and TX have exemptions for titles and registrations of small, non-travel trailer trailers, under 4000 lbs I think it was.

[doug hodder]

Some states will issue a temporary transportation permit, no charge. I just got one today and I can fill in the use date on it. Tape it in the window or on the back, or you could do like me and take a plate off one of my other trailers and drag it home. Just don't do anything to draw attention. I took an unlicensed or titled tear from Ca. to Minden Ne and back with a plate off my utility trailer. Doug

[d120]

Im in California,and thats how I did it.....But I suppose I drew attention(haha)...When I finaly went to court,the Judge told me if I ever got caught doing it again,that he had made a notation ,and I would go straight to jail

[HMK]

Yeah, notice I said legally.

[Backroads4me]

Here in Wisconsin, I wasn't required to register and plate my TD, but I did it anyway. Cost $90, and some time at the local DMV (of which the folks there obviously haven't seen many TDs)----with a $15 renewal fee each year. It's my TD, and Bob's truck pulling it, so for insurance and estate planning information, we keep everything distinctly separate and paid for (and no, we aren't). Most of the surrounding states I checked don't require TD plates either, but I figure we're covered in case we decide to take a longer trip to or through one that isn't.

[HMK]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went to the dmv and left even more puzzled than when I went in. She gave me a form and told me to be sure and get it signed by the builder. She couldn't promise I wouldn't get a ticket if I towed it home. Too much hassle for me. Sheeesk. Everything always has to be a hassle.

[Marie]

I'm in CA & purchased a teardrop in OR last summer. DMV told me that I had 30 days after purchase to get it registered, that I could drive it home & use the purchase invoice to show when that 30 days started. We drove it down the cost over 7 days & had no problems. We did register it right after we got home as we had another trip planned. Took it into DMV got the inspection, filled out the paper work, paid our money & received the plate & registration papers in the mail about a week later.
Good luck.

[bobhenry]

Perhaps you gave them too much of the story. Simply ask for plates for an old home built utility trailer.

Even here in Indiana land of taxes they can be decent about home built trailers. I was asked to stop by the police station and get a police report that it was definatly home built and wasn't stolen. Then I was to take the police report to the BMV for plates.
No problem. I have 5 trailers I tow with regularly and one plate. The registration says red home built trailer so each trailer has a red frame

I think most every state give you 5 days to plate ANY vehicle otherwise we couldn't buy a new car here in the U.S.

[mikerueve]

It wasn't difficult in Alabama. I had the certificate of origin from Northern tools though. My builder gave me two bills of sale. One for the trailer only, and one for the teardrop.
I took them to the license office and was out in five minutes.