Ok. Trailer time!

[liquidlabfx]

Last hurdle on my boating journey is getting the existing trailer titled. "No title" Illinois located. Or just get a new trailer. I reached out to a few dealers near me. No trailers for a 14 foot boat. They all are much bigger. So my question is. Look for a used trailer with title. Use any "real" titling company. Or just buy new. But what should I realistically be looking to spend on a bunk style. Nothing crazy. Single axle. Again. Located in Illinois.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Does yer state allow "Homemade" registrations,..??

All of my wagons have "Homemade" registrations,....

 

[Lou C]

What does your state DMV require?
In NYS trailers have a registration & this is used to transfer ownership they do not have titles. Boats have both registration & titles and for the boat the title is used to transfer ownership. Small boats have only a registration no title; and outboard motors have a title. Confusing ain’t it.
My old trailer isn’t listed as a homebuilt because it has an official VIN but it’s been rebuilt several times over the years to the point where the only remaining original parts are the frame rails, winch post & crossmembers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Wisconsin does not have trailer titles for trailers under 3000#. do you have a family member north of you?

 

[tpenfield]

As the others have stated, you should probably research and exhaust all options on getting what you have properly registered/titled.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'm in Illinois, too. When I was first looking to buy a boat, we found one that came from Wisconsin, where a trailer title is not required. In Illinois, a title is required and after a lot of reading and research, I decided it wasn't worth the effort to buy an untitled boat. There are options (e.g., trying to register is as homemade; registering it in a state with lax regulations and no title requirements), but all of those sounded like a massive pain in the neck to me.

In my opinion, it's much easier to buy a different, titled trailer than jump through all those hoops.

 

[briangcc]

What does your state DMV require?
In NYS trailers have a registration & this is used to transfer ownership they do not have titles. Boats have both registration & titles and for the boat the title is used to transfer ownership. Small boats have only a registration no title; and outboard motors have a title. Confusing ain’t it.
My old trailer isn’t listed as a homebuilt because it has an official VIN but it’s been rebuilt several times over the years to the point where the only remaining original parts are the frame rails, winch post & crossmembers.

Just going to correct this a touch. My tandem trailer with brakes under the FourWinns had BOTH a registration and title. The registration was NOT transferable.

My current trailer under the Chap is transferable registration. This is a single axle trailer with brakes.

So it depends. This is in NY....other states may vary.

 

[liquidlabfx]

Ayuh,.... Does yer state allow "Homemade" registrations,..??

All of my wagons have "Homemade" registrations,....

Yes I believe they do. I don't know if it's a pita to do or not?

 

[liquidlabfx]

Wisconsin does not have trailer titles for trailers under 3000#. do you have a family member north of you?

Well no. But Wisconsin did allow me to register the boat in my name and renew it immediately right on there website. I called first and for once in my life. Something actually worked out! Lol.

 

[Lou C]

Just going to correct this a touch. My tandem trailer with brakes under the FourWinns had BOTH a registration and title. The registration was NOT transferable.

My current trailer under the Chap is transferable registration. This is a single axle trailer with brakes.

So it depends. This is in NY....other states may vary.

I'm looking at my current trailer reg for NY State and it says transferable, this is also a single axle trailer, so maybe it depends on the # of axles. Owned it 20 years never had a title, and I've renewed the reg every year.
When I started driving 51 yeas ago, cars didn't have titles either, you transferred the ownership with the registration.

 

[airshot]

Last hurdle on my boating journey is getting the existing trailer titled. "No title" Illinois located. Or just get a new trailer. I reached out to a few dealers near me. No trailers for a 14 foot boat. They all are much bigger. So my question is. Look for a used trailer with title. Use any "real" titling company. Or just buy new. But what should I realistically be looking to spend on a bunk style. Nothing crazy. Single axle. Again. Located in Illinois.

What does it take to get a title ?? Vin numbers can easily be changed with some simple hand stamps. Create your own vin # and call it homade. Not recomending criminal activity but when your states rediculous laws leave you no choice ????

 

[liquidlabfx]

I'm in Illinois, too. When I was first looking to buy a boat, we found one that came from Wisconsin, where a trailer title is not required. In Illinois, a title is required and after a lot of reading and research, I decided it wasn't worth the effort to buy an untitled boat. There are options (e.g., trying to register is as homemade; registering it in a state with lax regulations and no title requirements), but all of those sounded like a massive pain in the neck to me.

In my opinion, it's much easier to buy a different, titled trailer than jump through all those hoops.

I agree. What I'm thinking of doing is buying a 4x8 harbor freight trailer. Approx capacity is 1700 lbs. And lopping off the long tongue on the old trailer. Having it professionally welded and some gussets. And that then can be titled in Illinois.

 

[Lou C]

I recall reading if you want to do that in NY, you have to provide receipts for materials, if not, there may be "a guy" who can get it done, for a price, lol.
Mine is now like grandfather's axe. Same trailer but....
2nd axle, 3rd set of springs 4th set of brakes, 2nd set of roller bars, and rollers, 2nd tongue, nearly every fastener has been changed
BUT IT'S THE SAME TRAILER.....

 

[roscoe]

If you buy a new trailer, even from another state, it will come with a manufacturers certificate of origin, which is all you need to get it titled and registered in Illinois.

Try fleet farm. 14’ bunk trailer for $1250.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't know where you are in Illinois, but I've dealt with these guys before and they were good to do business with:

R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Rentals, Parts and Service

Might be easier to get a used trailer that going the HF route...

 

[matt167]

I paid $850 for a 2020 Venture VB1300 new from a dealer I think it was early 2021 when I got it. I can’t remember but I couldn’t repair the trailer I had for much less than it cost.

Vermont would register a small trailer on a bill of sale

 

[Bondo]

Yes I believe they do. I don't know if it's a pita to do or not?

Ayuh,..... Up here in Maine, I walked into my town office, presented my NY trailer registrations, 'n received my Maine trailer registrations,...
All "Homemade",.....

In NYS, I'd go to the Dmv with my checkbook, 'n a certified weight slip(empty), for the trailer, 'n for the fee, walk out with my "Homemade" trailer registration,....
Did many, many wagons that way,.....

Was told by the town clerk here in Maine, it's the same process as NY, except they go on "Declared Weight", rather than a weight slip,....
So you need virtually nothin' but the fee,....

 

[Lou C]

Hey Bondo,
So in NY you didn’t have to provide receipts for a home built just a weight slip in NY? At this point my old trailer is more home built than the Load Rite sticker & Vin on the frame rail…

 

[liquidlabfx]

Well since I didn't want to delay the boating process. God knows I'm installing nearly everything new but hidden from most keen eyes. Soooo I found this guy at my local fleet farm. Great price. On sale and easy to title. I can always worry about the current trailer at a later date. Along with with original 68 mercury.

 

[ScottinAZ]

here in AZ, you can apply for a bonded title if the original is lost and/or the previous owner is no longer living. You buy the bond insurance, they issue title in your name, and if nobody contests it in a certain time frame, you can drop the bond. perhaps your state offers a similar process.

Bonded Title | Department of Transportation

The bond covers any prior owner and lien holder and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or mobile home or person acquiring any security interest in it and their respective successor’s interest.

azdot.gov