Help Titling VA Trailer

[LarryJ]

Yeah, I did it.  Bought a small damaged trailer a couple years ago that didn't have a title, but did have a Virginia VIN tag.  I replaced the tongue, lights, boat supports, wheels and brought it back to life.  Tried several times to get it titled through VA DMV but they won't allow it.  The guy I bought it from got it as payment for electrical work, so it wasn't titled.  Not sure the previous owner had it titled.  My latest application to DMV included Affidavit in Lieu of Title Certificate notorized by my insurance agent and bill of sale.  Bill of sale didn't include make or VIN number.  I wrote VIN number on it per directions from DMV Supervisor at local office.  Then sent everything to Richmond.  They returned it saying " Seller must title before selling vehicle/trailer to individual."  Can't figure out how to contact him or even how he'd be able to title it.  I plan to sell boat and trailer, so want the title beforehand.  Suggestions?

Edited January 24 by LarryJ

[BlueHwy]

I have not done this in VA, but you can title a 'homemade' trailer. See:

 

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/vsa22.pdf

https://select.dmv.virginia.gov/select/help/vlic/vlic3235.pdf

 

I will observe that what you bought a couple of years ago wasn't a damaged trailer, but rather parts for building your homemade trailer.

[JAL]

It absolutely amazes me the number of used trailers that individuals try to sell without a title...

 

Life lesson - do not purchase or trade for a trailer without a title... there's a reason they don't have a title.

[charlietuna]

I had similar problems, but did a meticulous job showing "before" pictures (showing the trailer as rusted junk) and "after" pictures, the reconstruction and the receipts for the components to rebuild the trailer. The frame was so old the VIN was not readable even with the density gun over the VIN stamping. Got a home-made VIN restamped on and a new title. I heard VA is the worst state of the three in Delmarva.

 

Try some old-fashioned networking to find out who the last registered owner was based on VIN. VA won't do it for you. I just did a search, and there are a number of services that can search VINs, but I don't know if they work for trailers. If you know someone in a boat dealership or VA MVA, they might be able to do it for you. Then reach out to the owner, pay to get the trailer retitled and turned over.

[MDsurffishing]

try asking a local trailer shop, Can't remember all the details but years ago I had to tag a boat trailer that didn't have a VIN so I had a local trophy shop make up a VIN tag and titled it that way

[LarryJ]

55 mins ago, MDsurffishing said:

try asking a local trailer shop, Can't remember all the details but years ago I had to tag a boat trailer that didn't have a VIN so I had a local trophy shop make up a VIN tag and titled it that way

Thanks for the suggestion but the trailer has a VIN number.  I believe there in lies the problem.

[MDsurffishing]

If you have a grinder there is no VIN

[dena]

On 1/28/2023 at 0:43 AM, MDsurffishing said:

If you have a grinder there is no VIN

That is what I was thinking.

Just tell them it is a new trailer you just made, a home made trailer, that has never been titled.