running a trailer to see if its stolen..

[systemnt]

looking at buying another atv trailer.. this one has plates..no serial stamped that I can find..and no title (seller claims it was purchased from someone else, and was registered as home made - trailer is well
Is there someone/somewhere I can run the plate that's on it..see if its stolen or legitimately registered to a homemade trailer ?

[bwssr]

Dmv

[systemnt]

no go.. lady who answered said she could not run a plate for me and it would have to be done by an officer.. (didn't make any sense to me..but ..didn't expect much from the DMV..)

[iamntxhunter]

I would tell them it doesnt have any plates and it is homemade. You should get a new set of plates and if all goes well at that poing I would engrave a serial number somewhere on it that is out of sight. I wouldn't want to buy stolen equipment but when you buy used there is a reasonable point in which you should have to go to make sure it is legit. By the way did you ask if there was a local officer there or perhaps a trooper that could help you out. If you did and she said no then I would go with the above mentioned process.

[systemnt]

I don't want to buy it if its stolen..or theres a chance its stolen...
at the least i want to make sure the plates on it aren't stolen...

I didn't ask if there was an officer there that could help.. her tone kind of lead me to believe that this wasn't something they do as part of normal operations...

[Speedgoat]

I don't want to buy it if its stolen..or theres a chance its stolen...
at the least i want to make sure the plates on it aren't stolen...

Just drop the plates in a blue US mail box and roll on with the trailer

[DUCKORBLEED]

looking at buying another atv trailer.. this one has plates..no serial stamped that I can find..and no title (seller claims it was purchased from someone else, and was registered as home made - trailer is well
Is there someone/somewhere I can run the plate that's on it..see if its stolen or legitimately registered to a homemade trailer ?

did you crawl underneath it and look for a stamp?

[systemnt]

did you crawl underneath it and look for a stamp?

yeh i did.. the axle has been replaced (actually a couple inches wider than it should be).. and there is no stamping anywhere (unless its under the boards -which are all new).. that I can find.. the front tongue section is definitely grafted from another trailer.. no markings on it whatsoever as far as identification numbers/stamps.

I've had and registered a homemade trailer before..so I know the process in getting the tags.. i just want to make sure that the tags that are on this one..belong to it..and are not stolen from somewhere else in order for this guy to be able to make a sale, or that the trailer itself is stolen..

[OldRiverRat]

i understand your point but honestly if you don't buy it someone else will and it will be re-registered as homemade. These trailers are the last things that law dogs want to be worried about, thats why they make it so easy to register as homemade. People pop these things out like cookies and its just too difficult to keep up with them and not worth the time and effort.

[bigbird]

What size is it .I had my 16' stolen

[systemnt]

i understand your point but honestly if you don't buy it someone else will and it will be re-registered as homemade. These trailers are the last things that law dogs want to be worried about, thats why they make it so easy to register as homemade. People pop these things out like cookies and its just too difficult to keep up with them and not worth the time and effort.

your probably right to a point but I've had stuff stolen and don't want to be even remotely responsible for being part of the reason things like this do get stolen... if someone else gets its..and doesn't care..they have to live with that.

Coming opening weekend..all the way through the end of the season.. the highways we travel to our leases are littered with DPS/Sherrif's stopping trailers with ATV's running checks on trailers and ATVS... actually a pretty common occurence....

just trying to do the right thing... i'll probably pass on it..

[systemnt]

What size is it .I had my 16' stolen

just a little 4x6 atv trailer

[Olphart]

If you know a local cop, ask him/her to run it. If the cop finds that the LP or trailer is stolen, be ready to tell him where it is located. Otherwise, you'll probably have to go to your tax office (I think) and pay $5 or so to have them run it.

On a side note, you are doing the RIGHT thing.

[donfish84]

I know here in corpus if a law man runs the plates and it comes back stolen they are obligated to act. So Better have a bill of sale and as many names and facts you can. I just purchased a 16' homemade trailer with an expired plate and was told all homemade trailers must be "titled" with a stamped serial number. Even for Farm tags. Gave me a packet of papers and sent me on my way. First stop is the impound lot to have an officer check and make sure it isn't stolen. Also have to have a printed picture of the trailer. Don't quote me but think two pics. Then to a state inspection place for trailers to have it looked over. After that they will give me the plates.

[systemnt]

great info.. thanks!