Title Question - Help Asap??

[mary1960]

I've got the opportunity to pick up a shasta compact for really cheap. However, it doesn't have a title.

Is that a deal breaker? I can get a bill of sale but they've never titled it.

Help?

[joek]

I wouldn't call it a deal breaker, you'll just have to deal with some red tape but people lose titles all the time. Especially old trailers.

[mary1960]

Thanks! I might just have to go gamble on it.

[66shasta]

Hi, I just purchased a 66 with no title... I was able to register it but i did need the vin #
bill of sale and previous owners reg helps . it differs state to STATE. i LIVE IN MASS.

[safetybruce]

Mary, You might make an inquiry with your DMV and ask them if the trailer you want to purchase does not have a title, will they accept a certificate of Title Insurance from a Title Bond Agency. I had my Compact Titled by the State of Miississippi, but they required a Title Bond (insurance). It cost me $50 but was very easy to get.

[LittleVintageTrailer]

When we bought the Astroflyte from MA it only came with a bill of sale. Took that to the DMV and they said I had to have a police officer come out and verify the VIN number. Did that then went back (overall I made 3 trips back and forth to the DMV that day). Once they had the VIN everything went smooth and they handed me a new plate, registration and 7 days later I had my new title. I'd just call your DMV and ask them the process for one that only has a bill of sale.

[betsy99669]

It does very from state to state. Here in Alaska, things are very easy. Just need to present proof of purchase/ownership.

In Pennsylvania, there is NO WAY to get a replacement title unless you contact the previous owner(title holder) and they apply to the State Capital for a replacement title. LOTS and LOTS of red tape.

I know this by personal experience. I once owned an Airstream with no title. It was abandoned in a campground. It was in great shape, but I was never able to use it on the road.

I guess it also depends on how you intend to use this camper.

Good luck, Betsy

[mary1960]

Well I got it ... the dirt cheap camper was even dirt cheaper. Got it for $150. Floor is solid, paneling needs to be redone. There wasn't any current leakage around the roof vent but they had paneled around it at one time. Person that owned it prior to the person who we got it from jacked it up by flipping the springs so it looks truly idiotic so that's the first thing that's gonna be done ... getting it back to a normal level.

I'm calling her "La Petite Retreat" and she's going to be done in a French cafe/bistro theme eventually.

I'm going to the DMV tomorrow to register the LoFlyte and will find out about titling this thing. Worst case scenario, her bed turns into a lawn trailer for my husband. *lol*

[LittleVintageTrailer]

Oh neat! Now we need pictures (: What year is it?

[mary1960]

Absolutely no idea Kel ... it's one of the square boxy ones like the one you sold I believe ... no wings (not sure if there ever were any, don't recall seeing screw holes) ... beige stripe, avocado appliances (can't escape those) ... fridge instead of ice box, that lovely whitewashed paneling I love so much (gonna rip that out and put in something else .. bwahaha).

It has no cushions, missing the table but floor is solid and the inside is better than I expected. However, I got it dirt cheap simply to completely deconstruct the interior and reinsulate and repanel ... that way I won't panic if I screw something up and I'll get more comfy with tools at the same time.

Local cop seems to think there won't be a problem getting a salvage title since it's not been titled for over 7 years ... that's a good thing to hear.

I'll post pictures tomorrow when there's light. I guess it was jacked up since it was used as a hunting shack ... must be a common thing around here.

[mary1960]

PS: I think I may have found the VIN # on the tongue ... gotta sand off some paint though to make sure.

[LittleVintageTrailer]

At that price, heck ya you can do whatever you want to the interior. I would too (: I agree on that paneling. I didn't like it in ours either and had to really squash the urge to paint over it.

[betsy99669]

What a great price.!!! That is just wonderful, Mary! And it seems like a title will be easy, too. Congratulations!! You certainly have won a great prize.

Please keep us posted.
Betsy

[mary1960]

Here are pictures if anyone is interested.

www.flickr.com/photos/nebraskama/sets/72157624901293610/

[betsy99669]

La Petite Retreat is sooo cute. It's in such great shape compare to what I was thinking. You are truly blessed.

How did the title problem work out?

I'm just so happy for you.

Betsy

[mary1960]

Thanks Betsy. Got the Loflyte registered today ... we had an inactive title since the guy we bought it from never registered it so we had to pay a penalty and 2 years worth of interest on $49. Total to register it was $99 so that wasn't too bad.

For the compact, we contacted the Iowa DMV. We need to fax them a letter explaining the situation with the VIN # and they'll start doing a title search. Not sure what we do next but that's a starting point. Hopefully it was originally titled in Iowa or Nebraska, otherwise we'll have to do a state by state search.

[betsy99669]

Wow. What you saved in dollars, you are making up in labor/ title search.

It is still darling and so worth it. I am glad that you rescued "La Petite Retreat" (I love that name ).

I wish you luck and speed in getting the title.
Betsy

[mary1960]

Well it might be a moot point ... we're going to rebuild the shasta entirely ... decided that's the easiest way to go since the whole interior is a real mess. It might just qualify as a home made camper when we're done. Gonna call the DMV tomorrow and see what we need to do to title a homemade one.

Maybe I'll change her name to Shasta-No-Mor ... *lol* J/K

[LittleVintageTrailer]

I love the name too! So catchy (: Good luck with whichever direction you go regarding the title. I got ours in the mail the other day and for some reason it just tickled me to see it official titled as a 64 Shasta. It doesn't say Astroflyte on it, just camp trailer or something but that's ok. Will be interesting to see what your DMV says about homemade. Hey, if that route is easier that is what I'd do!

[safetybruce]

Mary, Thanks for the photos. I think you got a great deal. Looks like you have a lot of work and a lot of fun ahead of you. You are doing a great job of documenting the acquisition, and rebuild of this little trailer. I might add, that after seeing some terrific blogs done by members I think those with finished projects ought to consider pooling your blogs and figuring out how to create a small book. It would be interesting to see if y'all could each submit a "chapter, and possibly earn a bit of money from the effort. Again, Mary...I think you did very well in picking up this Compact. Congratulations!!

[mary1960]

Thanks Bruce! A book would be fun! I think I'll do a digital scrapbook when I'm finished with the trailer renos. You shoudl see it today ... we had a huge burst of rain and hail and it's collapsing even more ... hilarious! Couldn't do any tearing down so decided to go out to eat instead ... maybe tomorrow we'll get the walls torn down.

In any case, it's an interesting project seeing how a camper is constructed ... I've learned alot just by removing all the interior stuff.

I checked with the local cop and if we rebuild it from the ground up, we can call it a home built camper thus eliminating the need to keep searching for a title (however, if a title can be found in Iowa, then that's great). Also what I think is interesting is in Nebraska (not sure about other states) if you build a homemade camper, there's no safety inspection or anything required to title it ... I figured that would be something we'd have to look into but I guess not.

[betsy99669]

There are lots of homemade trailers of all sorts here in Alaska. No inspection is required. As long as the wheels go round and round, you can get a title... and because it's homemade, you register it only once in a lifetime-no renewal necessary.

This is the Last Frontier.

Betsy