Buying Trailer Out Of State With Bill Of Sale?

[Dale Moser]

I need to buy a little utility trailer (3500lb), and the things have gotten stupid high. I can save $1k by driving a couple hours, which I'm glad to do, but that looks most likely like going to Oklahoma, and the ones I've seen listed mention only a bill of sale.

I feel like I should probably know better than to fool with it, but has anyone had any luck getting registration in Texas with no more than a bill of sale? Is there any means of protection, or finding out ahead of time if the thing is stolen? I keep some copys of a Bill of sale form we use for stuff like this pretty often, but is one any more solid than another?

[bbqfan5909]

Will have to register as home build I believe. Highly suggest calling local DMV to see what the process is.

[Austin]

I know my parents did it with a little trailer that my dad inherited from his uncle. I will ask them about the process. They got it done but it was a bit of a PIA from what I remember. As was said I believe it was treated as home built and had to be inspected first

[kae006]

Not much help, but trailers of that size don't even have titles in many states (MN included). Here we would just get a BOS and the previous owner's registration paperwork if lucky.

[Quackerbox]

each county is gonna be different. Montgomery wants list of material and inspection prior to. Another county I have trailers in doesnt want anything. If used, prior plate number should help. If new, bill of sell and VIN should get it.

[Dale Moser]

Not much help, but trailers of that size don't even have titles in many states (MN included). Here we would just get a BOS and the previous owner's registration paperwork if lucky.

According to Grok, that is the case in Oklahoma as well. I think I'll drop in to the tag office in my county and ask them what I may be getting into. They are usually very helpful.


I have been through the "home built" trailer process with a trailer that I built. They issued me a VIN to attach to it, but if the trailer already had a VIN, I believe that would cause further issues.

It seems that even little trailers have a VIN, which is my biggest concern....trying to get plates, the VIN comes up hot, and I'm out the cash with no trailer...

[PoppinPiggies]

Just pull it as is and if you ever get pulled over say you are borrowing it from a friend in Oklahoma.... how will they know? I've talked to a few state troopers about this and most have told me they avoid pulling over trailers unless its an obvious violation like lights out since there are so many different rules for farm vs private vs commercial

[60 Deluxe]

Call and see if they have a certificate of origin to go with that bill of sale. I bought an Oklahoma built trailer (WW) about twenty five years ago and they handed me the equivalent of a Texas 130U form and a certificate of origin. I took both to the county and got my tags with no problem. Even Harbor Freight will supply a Certificate of Origin on the little trailers kits in a box. I've done that too.

[Hoggslayer]

Trailers need Registration and Plates? Hmm...

[BrandonH]

but if the trailer already had a VIN, I believe that would cause further issues.

Nothing a cordless grinder can't fix: )

[Bucknaked]

According to Grok, that is the case in Oklahoma as well. I think I'll drop in to the tag office in my county and ask them what I may be getting into. They are usually very helpful.


I have been through the "home built" trailer process with a trailer that I built. They issued me a VIN to attach to it, but if the trailer already had a VIN, I believe that would cause further issues.

It seems that even little trailers have a VIN, which is my biggest concern....trying to get plates, the VIN comes up hot, and I'm out the cash with no trailer...

Let us know Dale! There have been so many trailer deals in our classifieds in The last two years that couldn’t get registered ! I think the whole Home made trailer even with a list of materials used is gone now too.


Also you may edit your OP within the last two years

[Dale Moser]

Talked to a girl at the tag office and she gave me a form with the necessary info highlighted, very helpful.

Basically, if it was never titled, I need the bill of sale, VIN, mfg, year model, primary color, and an empty weight ticket.

If it has been previously titled in Texas, there could be other issues.

[easeup]

I bought a horse trailer once that was registered in OK with current OK plates. But I was lucky because the seller had a title maybe because he had a bank note on it. had no issue flipping over to TX. just getting the bank to release their hold on it.

[brushtrooper]

Trailers in Tx under 4500 GVWR do not require a title. That said, if buying used I'd go to your local registration office to see what they require for a used/out of state trailer

[manwitaplan]

Trailers in Tx under 4500 GVWR do not require a title. That said, if buying used I'd go to your local registration office to see what they require for a used/out of state trailer

Yeah I was given a. 5x8 trailer from a buddy with a BOS. Walked into tax office and gave them everything and got a new plate and tag. Crazy easy.