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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT;finding former trailer owner

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USed trailer ow

03-22-2006 09:18:47




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Hi, I bought a used trailer at an auction and it still had an active license plate on it. I do not have any capacity info on it, etc and would like to ask the former owner a few questions...if I have the license plate, how cna I find the former owner?

Thanks!




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RN

03-22-2006 11:02:10




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
State laws vary on title requirements and license for trailers. Here in Wisconsin basic trailers under 3500lbs don't require brakes, title or plates. Illinois required me to get a plate and title at 1000 lbs. Iowa county clerk issues most license plates, but our farm trailers are exempt unless in interstate commerce-small horse trailer has a plate and brakes, big tactor and hay hauler does not. A situation with Virginia DMV they told me they didn't issue titles for small trailers and moped- tag info I gave them was munincipal issue by town. Ag trailers may be exempt up to 5000lbs. If you have a license plate, check issueing state agency, County clerk, DOT,DMV or check axle and tongue info- is this a dual axle with brakes? RN.

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Jim.UT

03-22-2006 10:54:49




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
Start with the DMV of the state that issued the license plate. They may or may not give you the name of the person registered to that plate. Most likely they won't. There's lots of privacy paranoia these days. With some states you have to deal with the individual county clerk. If that's the case and the county is a rural one (in other words, less formal), maybe you can explain the reasons for your inquiry and they might agree to contact the other person to let them know you'd like to ask some quesions. Then you'll have to hope they will call you.

While you're talking to the DMV/county people, ask them if a title was issued. If so, your auctioneer owes you a title! Maybe the auctioneer neglected to get it from the previous owner and that might be justification for finding out who the previous owner is.

When I bought my trailer at an auction, I got the original MSO that had been legally transferred a couple of times but never titled. I asked a local cop friend and he verified that my state does not require plates and a title.

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RayP(MI)

03-22-2006 10:33:14




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
Depending on your state laws, your trailer may, or may not be titled. Your secretary of state (DMV) should have trailer on record by license plate number even if it is expired. If titled, your auctioneer should have supplied you with that document, obviously not in this case... I have been able to license and title vehicles without prior title, using a bill of sale. However, that is not the problem: Check with DMV, and see if they can give you the information, or better yet, if you know anyone in law enforcement, have them run the plate on the sly!

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RickL

03-22-2006 10:18:16




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
If you bought this a t a public auction the auction company should of had the title for it in there posession. the title will give you the last owner etc since they have to sign it to sell it.



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RAB

03-22-2006 10:18:06




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
Ask the auctioneer?
RAB



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Mydeere

03-22-2006 09:55:42




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
Most Department of Motor Vehicles or what ever they call it where you are, can provide you with the registered owners info but they will probably require you to submit your request in writing. It would be easier to just give them the license plate info and ask them to tell you what weight rating the trailer was registered for.



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Coloken

03-22-2006 09:49:17




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
If it has a license you should have a title. Title will show last owner's name. Try switchboard.com



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Wayne in TX

03-22-2006 09:40:40




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
I have used a service called Publicdata.com



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Bill in TN

03-22-2006 09:25:06




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
I'm not sure but I would go (or call) to the county court clerks office in the county the tag was issued and see if they would tell me. I'm not sure if this is a privacy issue or a matter of public record. If you knew a cop he or she might be able to access the record you need via the department of safety.



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Paul L

03-22-2006 09:24:57




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
One of your friends is a cop, they can do a search. Other then that couldn't tell you how.



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Brokenwrench

03-22-2006 09:24:22




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 Re: OT;finding former trailer owner in reply to USed trailer owner, 03-22-2006 09:18:47  
If you know any cop`s, you could ask them to run the plate. That should give you the name, and address of the former owner. I don`t know if your local DMV would be much help or not. Just a suggestion Brokenwrench



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