any legal eagles out there {{{UPDATE===UPDATE}}}}

How much is owed on a 14 year old trailer?

Do the deal at his finance company. That way you make sure the rig is paid off.

Talk to a escrow company

Admin

Moved from ATC

I'm sure they're fine people but do you trust them $6000 worth, or whatever you settled on?

I would get the name of the facility holding the title, call them and ask them how to proceed so you can get the title transferred back to the owners. I would not give anyone $6000 cash and trust that everything gets done correctly. Maybe a wire transfer to the holding facility, or cashier's check. Talk to your financial institution and see how they suggest your proceed.

Is there a local branch of that finance company? If so, do the transaction in their office. Or, look up the lender online and call them to verify how they want to handle the transaction. They may want you to do an electronic funds transfer to them instead of paying the seller. Having the title sent from the lender direct to you is fine, IF you know where to reach the seller so he can sign it for transfer. Without the seller's signature, you probably will not be allowed to transfer it to your name.
You will want to make every effort to protect yourself. It is quite possible that you will wind up with a trailer and just a Bill Of Sale, no title, or a title with a lien on it.
Perhaps I am just paranoid, but unless I could be absolutely sure that the transaction will go well, I would walk away.