Trailer Registration

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GLTHFJ60

GLTHFJ60

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I'm looking at getting another military trailer to help with my upcoming move, and to help with stuff at the house once the move is complete (hauling wood, hauling mulch and dirt, eventually pavers, etc.)

In my search, I've found that a bunch of trailers are being sold without titles. Not sure if that's a problem or not. What I've found out through research is that in NC, any trailer that hauls something needs to be registered, so the pig cooker doesn't, but a military trailer, and car haulers, do.

My questions:
1. Has anyone on here obtained a title for a trailer they've either built or bought?
2. Was it a difficult process or no?
3. Do we have a "home made" trailer registration provision in this state?

Trailers without titles are much cheaper, so that's a plus, as long as it's not too hard to get it titled :D

Thanks guys!

Trailer registration has to follow the same process as vehicle registration:
http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/title/

NC4X4 discussion:
http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/trailers-titles-requirements.54630/
 
Johnny

Can't help you with the process but you are right to want a title. I have moved several times overt the years and having a title makes the process easier at the very least and possible at the worst. Thee are several states that require titles on trailers and if you try to move in without an existing trailer, it is easier and more cost efficient to sell what you have and buy new. Additionally, having a title will be the "ultimate" proof you paid sales taxes. I had one trailer that did not have a title and needed up paying sales tax for a second time when I moved to (I believe) Tennessee because I had no title and had lost my receipt ... Had my cancelled check to prove price paid ...

I did get a title on a homemade trailer in Georgia a couple decades ago. It was fairly easy there ... Get an inspection by the local Sheriff, pay a VIN fee (about $30 at that time), rivet the provided VIN tag to the trailer frame, then go get a title and registration.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
 
Through recent events I learned that if you buy an item that is supposed to be titled it is 100% illegal to buy that item without title in hand. The seller or current owner absolutely must obtain a legal title before they can sell that item. A sales receipt is not going to keep you out of jail if that trailer comes up stolen on a cops computer.
 
elkaholic said:
Johnny

Can't help you with the process but you are right to want a title. I have moved several times overt the years and having a title makes the process easier at the very least and possible at the worst. Thee are several states that require titles on trailers and if you try to move in without an existing trailer, it is easier and more cost efficient to sell what you have and buy new. Additionally, having a title will be the "ultimate" proof you paid sales taxes. I had one trailer that did not have a title and needed up paying sales tax for a second time when I moved to (I believe) Tennessee because I had no title and had lost my receipt ... Had my cancelled check to prove price paid ...

I did get a title on a homemade trailer in Georgia a couple decades ago. It was fairly easy there ... Get an inspection by the local Sheriff, pay a VIN fee (about $30 at that time), rivet the provided VIN tag to the trailer frame, then go get a title and registration.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
Click to expand...

Definitely, good point. If I end up getting a trailer that doesn't have a title, I'll be sure to get it titled before I move anywhere.

Did they have to go through a theft check process as well as getting the VIN number?

Burt88 said:
Through recent events I learned that if you buy an item that is supposed to be titled it is 100% illegal to buy that item without title in hand. The seller or current owner absolutely must obtain a legal title before they can sell that item. A sales receipt is not going to keep you out of jail if that trailer comes up stolen on a cops computer.
Click to expand...

Good point. This is true for cars absolutely, but with trailers, I'm pretty sure you can give the DMV receipts for a tub, axle and frame, then they can title it as a "home made trailer". At least, that's what I understand is the case.

Care to elaborate your scenario a little more?
 
All I can say is that if the trailer has been titled before then the seller needs to go through the process of obtaining a clean title. If that previously titled trailer is sold without the title then, not only is the transaction illegal, but the buyer is in possession thus if it comes up stolen, or even presumed by law enforcement to be stolen, then you go to jail and have to iron out the details with the DA that you are innocent. But you still have to be processed like a felon and the trailer gets impounded. Lets just say I'll never do any favors using someone elses trailer again, unless I know exactly where all the paperwork is on that trailer and it is tagged properly.
A home made trailer is a different scenario. None of the parts have ever been titled so it's a new trailer with it's first title.
 
One issue is that many neighboring states does not require a title for this type of trailer, thus, they can be sold legally without one. Bringing the trailer across the border and getting a legal title, going through a title search and such can take time.

If one were to build a "military style" trailer from parts, one can call it a "home made" trailer, getting a new VIN, getting it inspected (=time) and all is good. The NCDMV doesn't use the military ID as the VIN unless its titled that way already. Thus, if one were to legally buy a military trailer from SC, bring it to NC, going to DMV to get it titled, one must stamp the new VIN in two specific locations (axle and tongue), take it for inspection NC state police and NCDMV, pay the fees, all is good.

Hope that makes some sense, at least those are the hoops I jumped through...
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
Did they have to go through a theft check process as well as getting the VIN number? Good point.
Click to expand...

I did not in Georgia, but it was a homage trailer with no markings, and I do not know how a theft check would have been done.

I have found it is almost always easier to have a title and furthermore, when I have lived in states that did not require a title for a trailer (or older vehicle) they were always willing to issue one if I was willing to pay. Going through that process made it possible for me to sell a Pinzgauer I owned about 10 years ago.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
 
Military trailers, when bought at auction, don't have titles, so I can see how a trailer would be purchased in NC, legally, and never had a title. However, proving that said trailer hadn't been sold a couple of times before is another challenge.

Thanks for the advice gents. I'll keep my eye out for one that's already got a trailer to avoid dmv headaches. I'm currently working through that to get my cruiser registration switched to diesel :mad:
 
Keep in mind that if the trailer was never titled then registering it would be pretty straighforward, so have the seller do it and tell them you'll pay full asking price haha.
 
Listen here ya Tom Selleck wanna be! If you sell that trailer without giving me a price and a shot at it I will hunt you down!
The only reason terry is moving to Hi is so he dress like Magnum PI. Haha

Meatball
 
lt1fire said:
Johnny to add to this.... as i'm looking at trailers right now also

http://www.ask.com/question/what-do-i-need-to-register-a-trailer-without-a-title-in-north-carolina


not sure how accurate it is though
Click to expand...

I ended up buying a trailer that had a title already. The seller had their signature notarized before we met up, so it was a piece of cake transaction, no problems. Thanks for the help Mike :D

Now to figure out how to sleep in / on it!

IMAG0292.jpg
 
That trailer is sweet. Needs a hoist though, or a loading dock. Little bit high for hand loading heavy items, just an afterthought. As for sleeping, I'd suggest a sturdy frame and RTT setup. That way you don't have to reconfigure mid excursion. With your luck on tires lately you'll have to pack two spare tires as well as spare parts and tools in there. And a grill, cornhole board, picinic table, kegerator, propane/diesel heater, and a 15x30 ez-up garage for that catastrophe that will happen in the middle of nowhere on a cold rainy day.
 
Burt88 said:
That trailer is sweet. Needs a hoist though, or a loading dock. Little bit high for hand loading heavy items, just an afterthought. As for sleeping, I'd suggest a sturdy frame and RTT setup. That way you don't have to reconfigure mid excursion. With your luck on tires lately you'll have to pack two spare tires as well as spare parts and tools in there. And a grill, cornhole board, picinic table, kegerator, propane/diesel heater, and a 15x30 ez-up garage for that catastrophe that will happen in the middle of nowhere on a cold rainy day.
Click to expand...

What, dumping the 2F short block into the trailer off of that board isn't what we planned to do?

I'm thinking a frame that drops down into the bed side holes, with a flip up top, so you can sleep up there. Maybe a little heater, maybe a little AC unit or fan at least. That way I can redesign Moonshine's interior to eliminate the permanent sleeping platform, integrate a spare tire, etc.

A new EZ-UP is definitely in the works, along with an intercooler and a bigger turbo.

JohnVee said:
Johnny,
You DID look at msontag's trailer at Logan's Run, right... That'll get you in the right direction.
--john
Click to expand...

I did! That's kinda the direction I want to go, but without as "much" :D This trailer won't be dedicated to camping, so whatever I do will have to leave the trailer unmodified, so I can revert the changes (easily) to be able to load trees, mulch, rock, etc.
 
I need to come see that bad boy!
 
mtweller said:
I need to come see that bad boy!
Click to expand...

Can't see much of it with it stuffed in my garage, lol.

alk747triodad said:
Nice trailer JC!

Is that an M1101? I saw one for sale recently and took some pics.

Check out what the gubment probably paid for them. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Mine is a M101A3, the predecessor to the M1101.

I can't believe that price! $9k?!? That's nuts. They don't sell for anywhere near that now a days.
 
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