Titling a home built or non-titled trailer in Alabama?

TacomaJD · Mar 20, 2015

I reckon I've got my rig and trailer sold to a man from Minnesota. He's supposed to be visiting his family in Augusta, GA here in a couple weeks and going to the Masters. He wanted to buy my trailer too, so he wouldn't have to fool with bringing one down and storing it somewhere for the 6 weeks he will be down here, before he goes back to MN, picking my rig up on the way back home.

I got to thinking and forgot that I bought my trailer new unregistered. As in I gave them $1,800 cash for it and done no paperwork. I have never noticed a vin or any sort of identification/branding on it.

Are any of you familiar with the process of getting a title on something like this? Do I just go to the courthouse and tell them my dad built the trailer and that I need to get it titled? :dunno:

poolman · Mar 20, 2015

Everyone here is bummed that your selling your rig so no help here! :wtflol:

And to answer your question I have no idea in Alabama? :dunno:

grcthird · Mar 20, 2015

Vin should be stamped, welded, whatever on the A between the hitch and floor.

InittowiniT · Mar 20, 2015

Normally Vin is under the tounge somewhere on front.

TacomaJD · Mar 20, 2015

grcthird said:
Vin should be stamped, welded, whatever on the A between the hitch and floor.

I've got a big storage box on there....maybe why I never noticed it lol

muddinmetal · Mar 20, 2015

Tell the dmv you made it yourself & give them a serial # with 12 #s oer so and you'll be fine

TacomaJD · Mar 20, 2015

muddinmetal said:
Tell the dmv you made it yourself & give them a serial # with 12 #s oer so and you'll be fine

If it's that simple, that'll be awesome.

broncomike · Mar 20, 2015

Tell them it was built before 1973 . Good luck.

highrange · Mar 20, 2015

broncomike said:
Tell them it was built before 1973 . Good luck.

this if you have any issues

TheViking · Mar 20, 2015

So the little Indian princess is knocked up and now your selling your stuff is basically what your saying....

al1tonyota · Mar 20, 2015

My dads car hauler I used to pull was "built" by my grandad in 75' vin is 11111L tag cost $15 a year.

RustyC · Mar 20, 2015

I build mine at home as well. Give the courthouse a vin I stamped in. Issued a tag without any issue at all. Just one of the benefits of living in St. Clair Co. Alabama.

351yj · Mar 22, 2015

jackson co will give you no problems at all... i told them my trailer didn't have a vin # .... they said to just make one up and put it on the trailer later so i gave them my phone # as the vin and rolled out with a tag... no problem

Shortbus · Mar 22, 2015

Why are you wanting to get a title?

The only trailer titles I have are for goose neck trailers. The homemade required form mailed to Montgomery and I received the title and a stamped VIN plate in couple weeks. Took the title to court house to get the licence plate.

For a bumper pull utility trailer you don't need a title in AL. Only a number to put on license receipt, be it factory VIN or a made up number. The stamp on tongue is to help find if it's stolen.

yankster · Mar 22, 2015

Shortbus said:
Why are you wanting to get a title?

The only trailer titles I have are for goose neck trailers. The homemade required form mailed to Montgomery and I received the title and a stamped VIN plate in couple weeks. Took the title to court house to get the licence plate.

For a bumper pull utility trailer you don't need a title in AL. Only a number to put on license receipt, be it factory VIN or a made up number. The stamp on tongue is to help find if it's stolen.

Most other states will pull you over instantly if there's no plate on a trailer. Doesn't matter what kind of trailer. After the third time of me explaining to a trooper plates aren't needed in TN and them calling the state to verify I eventually put a plate on it to be left alone.

RustyC · Mar 22, 2015

Just renewed the trailer tag this week. Grand total of $14.00 for the year, well worth being hassled about not having a tag.

Shortbus · Mar 22, 2015

AL also requires a plate on trailers.

The title on a bumper pull trailer has nothing to do with the license plate or "tag" in AL

I've got plates on bumper pull trailers as well and have never got a title. I don't know if you even can title it here. All I've done was take bill of sale and certificate of origin to court house.
I guess question to OP would be do you have plates on it now?

GT_Buggy · Mar 22, 2015

Does anyone have any suggestions for ga? I bought a 35' gooseneck 3 years ago from someone in Alabama with no title. Went to ga dmv and they basically said they will not tag it with out a title so I never tagged. Never been pulled over but still don't want to give them a reason to ever hassle me.

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mckeddie · Mar 22, 2015

Have a buddy in Alabama get a title for it, then have them give it to you.

Ohio doesn't have titles either, we just use a weight slip. Sold my old trailer to a guy in Indiana, and it took us a year to get him a title to be able to plate it. It was a nightmare.