Registration Blues

[Papaspence]

Hello All,
I have recently purchased an 84 M25 and it came with the original MacGregor Trailer. The previous owner had lost the title to the boat and had never registered the trailer. He called me today to say that he had received the replacement title from the state of PA, but had no title or registration for the trailer. I went to get the serial number off the trailer and can't find one anywhere! It appears that there were two plates on the tongue, but they are gone. I can register the trailer with a bill of sale, but I need to get a serial number from somewhere. Anyone got any ideas? I am going to email MacGregor with the boat number and see if they have a serial number for the trailer that was sold with this boat, but I don't know if that is going to fly. Anyone know of a hidden location for the trailer serial #?????

Thanks

Stephen

[dlandersson]

Get a real Mac 25 trailer serial number and change it slightly (change a last number 4 to 6, etc.). Engrave the number and register it.

Hello All,
I have recently purchased an 84 M25 and it came with the original MacGregor Trailer. The previous owner had lost the title to the boat and had never registered the trailer. He called me today to say that he had received the replacement title from the state of PA, but had no title or registration for the trailer. I went to get the serial number off the trailer and can't find one anywhere! It appears that there were two plates on the tongue, but they are gone. I can register the trailer with a bill of sale, but I need to get a serial number from somewhere. Anyone got any ideas? I am going to email MacGregor with the boat number and see if they have a serial number for the trailer that was sold with this boat, but I don't know if that is going to fly. Anyone know of a hidden location for the trailer serial #?????

Thanks

Stephen

[K9Kampers]

Use the serial # from a $20 bill. Palm same bill to the reg clerk.

[Russ]

Yea, make one up.

Oh wait, this is New Jersey. I had a trailer for my Force 5 that I tried to register in NJ. What a PITA. I think in the end I ended up calling it "homemade" and made up a serial number. Took about 4-5 trips to the DMV.

[RobertB]

While making up a serial number may be expedient, it can also be viewed as fraud. Your plan to attempt to find the original serial number is a good one - but not sure how successful you will be. If this does not work, I suggest you work with NJ motor vehicles - your problem cannot be unique. Worst case, if you can show documentation that the trailer has been inspected by a qualified inspector, is safe, judged to be suitable for the load, and definitely does not have a serial number - you may be able to register it as a home built.

[SeaGriff]

If you register it as home built most jurisdictions will assign a serial #
and provide a sticker to go on the tongue.

[kevinnem]

I had this issue with a Yamaha motor bike I bought " there system" was not accepting the format of the number I was giving them. So I brought them the bike, and brought them outside and said, okay, fine, what number do you want to use?

I would toss them onous on them to find one, you claim there isn't one - then it is there job to prove you wrong. Can you have the boat trailer in the parking lot when you do this?

[dlandersson]

Actually no - that would leave the clerk open to disciplinary actions - possibly firing - what if later it turned out to be stolen? He/she doesn't know you from Adam.

Just tell them it's home built and ask for a serial number.

While making up a serial number may be expedient, it can also be viewed as fraud. Your plan to attempt to find the original serial number is a good one - but not sure how successful you will be. If this does not work, I suggest you work with NJ motor vehicles - your problem cannot be unique. Worst case, if you can show documentation that the trailer has been inspected by a qualified inspector, is safe, judged to be suitable for the load, and definitely does not have a serial number - you may be able to register it as a home built.

[Russ]

Can you have the boat trailer in the parking lot when you do this?

Having lived in NJ for most of my life, this will result in receiving a citation for a non-registered trailer and they still will require you to produce the title and docs. You won't be allowed to move an unregistered vehicle and they will tow it to an impound. Nobody at the DMV will even want to walk to the parking lot to see your trailer anyway. That would look too much like work.

It seems as though there was a plate with a serial number once on the trailer that has since been removed or fell off.
The clerks at the DMV generally don't understand anything like this because it's "out of script" from what they are used to dealing with.
It's been many years, but I think I wrote up some piece of paper that stated that my trailer was homemade and roadworthy. I may have had to have it notarized or some such thing and bring it to the DMV.
Go down there and see what they say. If you can do it in the same day, you may be able to find the same clerk who gives you instructions and will remember what they told you to bring back.
It's a small boat trailer, but they will treat it like you have an 40' Airstream.

Good luck.

[dlandersson]

Write it up nicely - I can send you a template if you wish. Getting it notarized cost $2 at the UPS store and makes it look official. Wear a shirt with a collar and slacks when you go in. Appearance is 90% of the battle.

Can you have the boat trailer in the parking lot when you do this?

Having lived in NJ for most of my life, this will result in receiving a citation for a non-registered trailer and they still will require you to produce the title and docs. You won't be allowed to move an unregistered vehicle and they will tow it to an impound. Nobody at the DMV will even want to walk to the parking lot to see your trailer anyway. That would look too much like work.

It seems as though there was a plate with a serial number once on the trailer that has since been removed or fell off.
The clerks at the DMV generally don't understand anything like this because it's "out of script" from what they are used to dealing with.
It's been many years, but I think I wrote up some piece of paper that stated that my trailer was homemade and roadworthy. I may have had to have it notarized or some such thing and bring it to the DMV.
Go down there and see what they say. If you can do it in the same day, you may be able to find the same clerk who gives you instructions and will remember what they told you to bring back.
It's a small boat trailer, but they will treat it like you have an 40' Airstream.

Good luck.

[Papaspence]

Thanks to All of you for your helpful all be they illegal suggestions. Because of you, I am currently residing in an 8 x 10 with some guy named, "Bubba", who says he's going to treat me, "real special"! In reality, the solution seems to have been as simple as a phone call to MacGregor. The woman there told me that if I give her the serial number of my boat, she "should" be able to give me the serial number of the trailer that was sold with it. I'll let "ya'll" know tomorrow or whenever I get paroled!!!


A. Capone

[dlandersson]

Give my regards to "Bubba" - fond memories.

Thanks to All of you for your helpful all be they illegal suggestions. Because of you, I am currently residing in an 8 x 10 with some guy named, "Bubba", who says he's going to treat me, "real special"! In reality, the solution seems to have been as simple as a phone call to MacGregor. The woman there told me that if I give her the serial number of my boat, she "should" be able to give me the serial number of the trailer that was sold with it. I'll let "ya'll" know tomorrow or whenever I get paroled!!!


A. Capone

[Catigale]

Altering a VIN or HIN plate is a stupid thing to do in most states, as is filing a false instrument for the purpose of obtaining registration documents. Read the print on what you sign before you make up a story and ask your attorney if getting on the water is worth perjury...


The value of a trailer without a serial number plate , or one that " fell off" is near zero IMHO.

Even in the People's Republic of NY, I have had no trouble registering trailers without titles by simply following the DMV rules in such cases. Leave your politics at home and be polite and firm as to how they can help you solve " our problem"

One hint in NY at least....every DMV office is equal in terms of service....there is no requirement that you visit the DMV in your "home county"....I have had easier times in the rural DMVs where the guys look you in the eye and judge your character that way....

[Papaspence]

....and the winner is, "HOMEMADE TRAILER"!!! MacGregor doesn't keep records of the trailer vins. that far back. The, "Statement of Fact" letter that they sent me was useless as it stated that the boat was originally sold with "a" trailer, but not necessarily, "this" trailer. New Jersey doesn't require any more than a bill of sale for the sale of a trailer from a "non title" state like NJ, NY, but NOT PA. PA titles trailers, so I needed the title to be transferred to me. The same title that disappeared several owners ago!! NJ DMV employee to the rescue with a, "pssst, you didn't hear this from me, but yada, yada, yada ", and 2 hours and $23.00 later, I've got a 2012 "Me" built trailer, title and reg, complete with vin that I am about to etch into the frame (Hey, somebody's got to be anal, it might as well be me")! So there you have it folks and Bubba will have to have "the other white meat" tonight!!! Thanks again for all of your assistance, but if you find yourself in a similar situation, the Home Made trailer route is quick and painless. Now let's see what else is standing between me and water!!