Finding Past Owner

Ask the dealer to contact the previous owner, and ask if they would be willing to talk to you...if they are the dealer can give them your number.

We had that happen on a previous coach...we gladly talked the new owners and were able to help them with a few things they needed to understand.

We bought our truck used, there were holes in the bed where a hitch had been installed, contacted the dealer who initially sold the truck. Advised them that we did not want to know who the previous owners were, but if they could ask them what hitch they installed that we would appreciate knowing so we could get the same hitch without drilling any new holes.

About 30 minutes later, the dealer called us back and said that they had talked with the wife and she was pretty upset, not because we had asked to contact them, but she said that she was upset as she was out of town for a week when her husband had traded the truck in on a new truck, and she had loved the truck and wish he hadn't traded it in.

Plenty paranoid people here!

Years ago, it was common practice after buying a used car,
who could afford new?,
to call the previous owner to find out what type of oil was used.

In those days, mixing or changing brands was a no no.

Chucker4 wrote:
Just wondering if it is possible to locate the past owner of a 2006 Grand Junction fifth wheel we purchased. Don't need address or anything personal. Just would like to ask them a couple questions. What is the best possible way to try and get connected with them. Anyone have any suggestions. Thank you.

Whatever county it was purchased in will have the previous owner as the transfer. If it was transferred to a dealer just look back further.

You will need the VIN and just run the check yourself or call and ask help.

rk911 wrote:

skipnchar wrote:
I think I'd be a LOT MADDER of the DMV gave out my personal information than I would be if the dealer did so. I'd be taking legal action if the DMV gave it out.

in some states vehicle registration data is public information or at least it used to be. I retired from 9-1-1 back in '05 and while we were not permitted to provide civilians with VIN or license plate data here in Illinois we did have an address for the state Secretary of State's office in springfield that would provide registration data to civilians for a small fee.

See post w/info prior to yours.

FEDERAL Statute: Driver's Privacy Protection Act - 1994

Provides / describes criteria for release of info by state DMVs.

Unless the state of IL is prepared to incur liability ("legal action") for release of information .... what "used to be" - probably - *isn't anymore"!:W

Of course - a few IL officials have been known to flaunt the law, huh?

.

In PA, the name of previous owner's appear on the title.
If I had sold the unit myself, I would explain everything I could to the new owners. If I had traded it to dealer, I would NOT appreciate the new owner contacting me. Funny thing, as many vehicles that I have had in my lifetime, I have never seen one of them on the road. If I did, I may swap some stories, if the new owner's were amiable.

A few years back we sold a big TT at a CG on a lake in our state. We had it FSBO for a season. We were not desperate to sell, just open to it should a buyer come along.

After a holiday weekend when the CG was packed an older couple strolled the CG and saw our unit and wanted to buy it. They did, and did not know anything about campers/trailers/etc.

After they bought it I spent an afternoon with them going over everything I could think of and left.

2 weeks later, out of the blue, they call and immediately stated "Hey, there is a problem with YOUR trailer so sold us." To say the least I was not happy. I quickly straightened them out and informed them that I no longer own a trailer, they do.

Long story short, they appologized and admitted it was worded improperly. They had lost power (on the weekend, no dealers open)and wanted to know if I had any ideas. Troubleshot it over the phone and got them fixed up.

It worked out fine in the end, and they never called back, but it immediately put me on the defense and uncomfortable.

Camper Mama Bear wrote:
why not ask the questions here? from what I have read people on here has, seen, heard, done just about everything. probably find someone who had a similar rig or knew someone with a similar rig. so you will probably end up getting an answer fairly close to what you would have gotten from the previous owner.

x2

Perhaps if you posted what questions you have for the prev owner it would be more clear what your intentions are.

Sorry.....Double post

When I traded in my Jayco 19BH it was in perfect shape and I told the dealer I would be more than happy to answer any questions a perspective buyer might have about the 19BH if it would help them close the sale.I also got TOP dollar on my trade and I think the fact they had all the service records for it from the day it was bought coupled with the fact I was willing to help them sell it benefited me!

If I was trading in a piece of trash that I wanted rid of I would most likely not want to talk about it.