bought a Shasta in WA...need to get it to CA

[brendaleeoc]

Hi Experts!

I (impulsively) bought a '61 Shasta located in WA. I live in So California. I need to get it here, and the owners do not have the original title. It does have the original plate on it. They said something about having applied for it, but it taking 3 years to come through? I need to move it down here, have I just made a giant mistake?

I am scared that I am facing a nightmare of paperwork...can anyone offer a bit of advice? Or possible a stiff drink? LOL

Thanks so much!
Brenda

[Redwings]

I have purchased two trailers without titles and have had varying successes. One was easily re-titled--the other was not so easy.

Titles can be squishy issues. Check with your state office of DMV and see what they require for titling a trailer without a title from out of state. I'm in MT and it can be done fairly easy here with a "bonded title". This means we have to purchase a surety bond naming the state as insured in case a previous owner comes forward.

One thing I do recommend is getting a notarized bill of sale from the person you purchased it from. Do this BEFORE or WHEN you pick up the trailer. They have little motivation to do it after you drive away with it.

Any other advice from other members?

Oh, and congratulations!!! And welcome to the forum!!!

[Gone Kayaking]

My experience in California was that the original tag, and a bill of sale (notarized as redwings suggests) along with a missing title application should be okay. There are also registration services that will help you handle this stuff for a fee. I had an Oregon plate, bill of sale, and several expired registration slips from the previous owner--barely raised an eyebrow.

Seems like there are severeal existing threads on working CA DMV suggest your review.

[Hamlet]

If you have AAA, they may be able to help you with this. In WA, they AAA doesn't do registration stuff, but in CA they used to. May still. Good luck!

And, Brenda, sorry to say, you can't just come on here and say you bought a '61 Shasta and NOT post at least one picture, or give us all the scoop on how you found it, where it is, how you're getting it back, etc, etc. We love the stories and the pictures about everyone else's trailers as much as we love to brag about our own! ;D

[boandsusan]

Pics! Pics! Pics! lol. Welcome to the forum Brenda. As far as the title and registration etc, where there`s a will, there`s a way! You just have to find it. Good luck.

[brendaleeoc]

HI everyone!

I am unsure how to post a pic here....wow, I AM a newbie. LOL

[mindy]

I live in Washington and purchased a trailer from Michigan without a title too.

I just had it inspected by the State Patrol and they gave me a new VIN and a registration. I am also waiting 3 years before I get the title.

I agree that with the other comments...you should get a bill of sale from the previous owners to take to the DMV with you. I researched on our state's DMV website and it explained what you will need before you get a title and registration.

Also, do you have a way of transporting or are you driving up to get it? Where is it located? I live on the west side of the state and if you need any help, let me know.

Mindy

[vikx]

Washington's law, as I understand it, is that the purchaser must try to contact the last owner of record. The VIN # must be visible. (stamped on the tongue, frame, etc and pictures to prove it) Also, the letter of intent must be returned as un-deliverable or you provide the response to the DOL. You can apply for an "abandoned" trailer title. If the original owner turns up and wants the trailer back, they may or may not have to pay for repairs already done, but they are the owner of record. You could lose...

[brendaleeoc]

HI Experts!

Thanks for all the responses! I thankfully have a friend who knows tons about vintage RV's agree to go up and fetch it for me....man, I got lucky there!

The CA DMV said I could get a temp moving permit for it from WA..hopefully that will at least let me get it here. The owners said they have already applied for the new title and that it takes 3 years.

Confusing! LOL

[brendaleeoc]

www.flickr.com/photos/27481918@N06/7544798066/

can't get a pic to post, but there is a link. Thought I would name her Penny...because she looks like she's not worth much more than that right now...

[LittleVintageTrailer]

Brenda, is that the same Shasta Compact as this one??

vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=trailersforsale&action=display&thread=5735

[brendaleeoc]

That looks like the same one. Now I am sad and scared after reading that thread...
I probably did overpay. I am lucky that I have a good friend who is willing to help me ...who knows, maybe I made a stupid decision.
Wouldn't be the first time however!

[WingedWonder]

Don't be sad! I bashed on the price at first but it did come down. I got a great deal on my compact so I am always falsely using it as point of reference. Canned hams are popular and bring a good price. Lately I have been looking at getting a 60's muscle car...oh my Shastas are bargains!!

[Gone Kayaking]

Brendaleeoc
I paid way way way too much for mine, and bought it at a distance like you...and have spent thousands more to restore it, but found this forum incredibly helpful to that whole process. I have learned a lot and try to pay it forward. A year from now (or less hopefully) when you've brought your baby back to it's glory, this part of it will be a distant memory.

[LittleVintageTrailer]

So sorry! I didn't post it to make you feel bad! For a second I wasn't sure if that was the same one as I thought that one was in OR and this one WA, so was trying to figure out if someone bought it and then right away was re-selling it. Don't feel bad for what you paid. I KNOW what I paid for mine may not be what others would pay but can you really put a price on something that makes you oh so happy?

[schweetcruisers]

I bet if you ask everyone on this forum at least 2/3 of us would say they over paid. I paid $700.00 for mine and all I ended up with was a frame with a matching title and huge pile of rubble that used to be a Shasta!!

I am resisting the urge to add up my receipts.

[LittleVintageTrailer]

Schweetcruisers, oh yes adding up receipts is ill advised. It's too depressing LOL! I have an idea of how much I have into the Compact and let's just say we are nearing, if not already at...the 9-10k mark with everything I've had done to it and all the accessories I've bought for it.

[brendaleeoc]

Aw, thanks you guys...I am hoping it will all turn out okay...if it is too much work for me, then I guess I will move it on to the next owner and just chalk it up to one of those things in life. You win some, you lose some. I didn't figure on making any money on it, ever, anyway...so I guess it will be a real exercise in how much can I do without spending too much!

[missblossom]

As long as you love it, that's all that counts.

[brendaleeoc]

Well as it turns out...didn't take the Shasta...too much of a project. I'm sad. I really want one.
Anyone come across one of the early compacts that isn't a basket case let me know!! I'm in CA.
:0(