got duped. need help

[Txpilot83]

I think in Texas you can claim a trailer as being "home built" and get it registered that way without a bill of sale or vin plate. Im not sure if other states do the same thing but it may be worth looking into if you can get your hands on that original trailer.

Another option is to but a license plate from another boat trailer on yours for the trip. My family collectively owns about 4 boat trailers and 3 jet ski trailers and we only register one. When we need to take one on a public road we just use the one license plate we have. Never have had any issues whatsoever.

Good luck.

[AirTool]

I think in Texas you can claim a trailer as being "home built" and get it registered that way without a bill of sale or vin plate. Im not sure if other states do the same thing but it may be worth looking into if you can get your hands on that original trailer. Good luck.

I thought of that, too. But I'm not sure that can be done if there is a vin proving it is not homebuilt or a vin and it was previously titled?

But I will say that I've been in line next to someone who titled a "home built" and there were no questions asked.

[bradfrd]

air tool, the boat is in fort worth tx. you gentlemen seem to know what you are talking about. They sent me a picture of the vin plate and i have attached it so you can take a look. all of the tombstone data is there but none of the trailer specific info seems to be there. Any thoughts?

[gride]

out of curiousity, and feel free to curse at me if i missed it above, but did the boat show the trailer in the pics(not one of the lot things that aren't real trailers)

[SkiTundra]

air tool, the boat is in fort worth tx. you gentlemen seem to know what you are talking about. They sent me a picture of the vin plate and i have attached it so you can take a look. all of the tombstone data is there but none of the trailer specific info seems to be there. Any thoughts?

Do you know if the VIN is naturally worn off or appears intentional? From the pic I'd guess natural, but hard to tell. Wonder if you can get a hold of the trailer mfr and/or orig selling dealer to see if they can look up the VIN from the hull ID and at least give you the VIN so you can check title? Maybe even issue a new VIN plate?

[bradfrd]

ride, it was and is sitting on a nautique tandom trailer, they even went so far as to disclose tire tread depth and overall trailer conditon. attached is one of the pictures from the condition report. why they would do this when there was no intention of selling the trailer is beyond me. Tundra, agreed, it is hard to tell with the plate and great idea with trying to match it from the hull id. selling dealer will be hard. due to the privacy act they cant tell me any info about the previous owner so the detective route will be hard.

[TRST]

Texas has become more strict on homemade trailers. They want to do a visual inspection.

[gride]

wow! talk about bait and switch. you could probably get out of it, but not until you spend cash on lawyers and waste your time/patience. you'll get it figured out, but when you pick it up make sure to verbally smack down the salesman. i would just talk and talk and talk and talk some more until the guy possibly realizes he needs to be a better person; but that ain't going to happen so maybe hold your breath. whichever one feels better.
p.s. i freaking love that boat. even though it's a japanese sun it still looks america. have fun.

[Chexi]

All I can say is Texas has something called the deceptive trade practices act and i think attorneys fees are included in recovery.

[shag]

I don't think you would get by with a 'home built' request. Also, by stating trailer condition and tread depth on tires, wouldn't that implicate that the trailer was included? Maybe just an attorney consult might help. On the other hand, without seeing closer pics, I am not super impressed with that trailer. I know you just want something to get it home though. I would think you should be able to get the manufacturer of the trailer (if still in business) and get the vin number. I some of the old correct craft trailer had a tag like that, and it would fade. I don't think there is any funny business with someone trying to obscure the VIN. they would have just removed the whole plate/sticker.
good luck! At least you have a Nautique!

[Quinner]

Boat is an Air, NOT a Pro Air, no strakes on the hull.

[Chexi]

Did the bank / repo auction list this boat as a pro air? If so, there is your way out, because Quinner is absolutely correct, that boat is not a Pro Air.

[natedog]

in texas you can go to your tax/title office and request a previous owners name with the vin for 3 dollars. i did this 2 years ago for a trailer i bought with no title. the pic kinda makes it looks like a Dorsey trailer which arent in business anymore but they answer their phones bc i did that too. i bought my SS without a trailer, bought a trailer made for a SS and it had no title but as someone else stated TX law says that if the gross weight of trailer and load combined is under 4000 lbs you dont need a title to register it. And i know from experience also it is really hard title a trailer homemade now as they have gotten super strict about this.

[Lewy2001]

That looks like a DHM trailer (California Trailer Works) The VIN is also normally stamped in the trailer chassis near the hitch. Should be able to get a new VIN plate direct from California TW in Sacramento with that number.

[SkiTundra]

Call CC w/ the hull ID and they can tell you who the orig selling dealer was. Call the dealer (hopefully still in biz) and find out the VIN for the trailer. Get repo guys to now include the trailer w/ the deal as they originally implied since they now have the VIN. If the DMV won't allow them or you to register without a title, get the current listed owners name from DMV and have repo guys get a title and register it.