We all have specific names for our assets to personalize them such as our homes, cars, yachts, etc. Hence, it shouldn’t be surprising if campers had titles either. However, titles for campers are just a bit more complicated than being a name set by their owners as they come with legal repercussions.
To get a title for your desired camper that currently has no title. What you need to do is apply for a title in your local state DMV office with the proper documents. These include title application, bill of sale, certificate of inspection, driver’s license, and Lien status update.
Buying a camper without a title is pretty much digging your own grave, however, it doesn’t mean you have to be trapped. You can still pretty much reverse the damage by registering for a new title for your camper through a straightforward process. In this article, I’ll be discussing how this can be done and why it needs to be done. So, I hope to see you all stay till the end!
Why Do I Need a Title for My Camper?
The reason you need to have a Title for your Camper is a bit more complicated than just giving them a personified identity. If a camper has no title, then it technically has no evidence of ownership. A camper that has no owner might potentially get you a trip straight to jail in suspicion of it being stolen. You may also face severe penalties and fines for not having a title.
Just like you have legal papers to justify that you own certain assets like cars, houses, etc. You are also advised to have legal documents that stand as proof that you own your camper. Different states have their very own rules and regulations for RVs. Some states specifically ask that you do have a legal allowance for your camper through a title.
Not having a title will make you unable to get insurance on your camper or even get a registered legitimate license plate. Without all these, you will have to face legal authorities and have your camper confiscated under the hands of the law.
Hence, if your camper title gets stolen, broken, lost, or has an ownership complexity, you are advised to get it updated or make a new one. This must be done according to the law regulations of the current state you’re staying in.
Some of the states that require your camper to have a title are: Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.
Should I Buy a Camper Without a Title?
Got a nice looking, perfectly conditioned and shaped camper that’s on sale at a great price? You click on it, contact the dealer, buy it from him and later find out it has no title. Well, as great as it may seem at first, the afterthought of realizing your camper has no title can be devastating.
Buying a camper with no title from a fraud or scammer can put you in grave trouble as they can report their camper as stolen after selling it to you. You may be investigated by the police and be charged with fines if it comes to that.
Even if you buy a camper with a title from a second-hand private seller, you are still advised to update the title to avoid falling victim to scams.
Even if you do decide to get one, make sure the seller provides you with valid paperwork and documents. You will be urgently required to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to transfer the title from the previous owner with valid documents. If you want to avoid all this hassle, then just simply don’t buy a used camper from a private seller.
Only try buying a camper without a title from trusted RV dealerships, close friends or relatives while making sure all the documents are given. However, doing so will require you to do further work down the line as discussed below.
How to Get a Title for My Camper Without Title?
Well, let’s just say you did end up buying a camper that has no title, you will feel anxious and lost. However, I advise you not to lose all hope just yet. I understand how tempting a great sale is, and thus, I will go out of my way to guide you into how you can turn the tide around.
Getting a title for your camper is no biggie if you take the right steps. There are two ways you can register a title for a camper that has none. You can either go straight to your local state DMV and hand-in the mandatory papers and fee or simply mail them the appropriate documentation and fee. The latter depends on which state you are from.
If you want to update your title from the private seller or the dealership you bought it from, simply ask them for all the legal paperwork. After verifying all the necessary documents, you can simply go to your local DMV or the DMV office they registered the title from to legalize the ownership transfer.
What Do I Need to Get a Title for My Camper?
Well, let’s just jump straight onto the necessary prerequisites that you will be expected to have to apply for a new camper title.
You are expected to have the following forms or documents:
- An application of Title
- Your Driver’s license
- The Bill of Sale
- Certificate of Inspection (Either from DOT or RV dealership)
- Documents highlighting the Lien status
You will pretty much only need a copy of your driver’s license that can be mailed to stand as enough evidence. The lien status document will be sent to the local DMV office to update the transfer of ownership by the lienholder (private seller or dealerships) once the finances for the camper is paid.
Now, I’ll discuss the more complicated process of title application, bill of sale, and certificate of inspection. I will be stating what they are and what you will be expected to know or fill up.
Title Application
The application you will be required to fill-up either through your state’s DMV website or by paper in their local office to apply for your camper’s title. Here’s a brief overview of what you are expected to do.
- Fill in all the necessary details on the application form or paper (TOD, VIN, Personal Information, Vehicle Information, and Specifications)
- Gather important documents such as valid notary stamp, Lien status document, Current tax status.
- The application fees (specified in form according to vehicle information)
- Mail them or hand-in the papers directly to your local DMV office.
Bill of Sale
A bill of sale must be valid and acceptable according to a state DMV’s laws and regulations. In easy words, it is a legal document that certifies the sale of a camper from one party to another in exchange for money. This is usually needed if a title-less camper is bought from a private seller or dealership.
A bill of sale form usually requires the following:
- Price and date of the sale.
- Personal data and contact information of both buyer and seller (number, address, name, etc.)
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Additional Vehicle info (whether it needs inspection, manufacture year, model, etc.)
- The tax status documents of the camper from the previous owner.
- Signatures of both Buyer and Seller notarized by unbiased witnesses.
Certification of Inspection
This legal document will be required by DOT rather than your local DMV. This is needed to confirm that your camper meets the recommended safety standards to operate. This certification is usually granted under the inspection of DOT or perhaps from your local RV dealership who are also certified to carry out inspection.
The inspection process varies depending on the variations of state laws and several conditions. Some common inspection elements include:
- Whether lights are working or not (taillights, headlights, brake lights, etc.)
- Whether the Wheels and Tires are in safe conditions.
- If the side and rear reflectors are functional or not.
- The condition of the breaks in the camper.
- Whether the license plate is visible or not.
Conclusion
Buying a camper without a title will not come easy and packs a lot of hassle. However, the price and effort must be paid and given for the sake of something bigger, safety and assurance. Doing just that will save you from being scammed or end up in legal problems.
Thus, I hope you consider getting a title for your camper as fast as you possibly can under the given circumstances. Now that you know what you have to do to get your camper a title, I hope you will have no reason to be anxious about it anymore. Wish you all the best in your ventures ahead and thanks for reading!
