Help with a salvage title situation

ExxWhy wrote:
I can't specifically speak to the laws of IN or KY, but I believe they aren't all that different from Ohio in practice. As others have said, check with your DMV.

I had a trailer I bought with a salvage title. Bought it from a company that specializes in this sort of unit, so I knew upfront. Tree limb had fallen on it and bent some trim on the slideout and punctured the roof. I made my roof repairs and added a slide topper that covered the bent trim. Took it to a state inspection station and they gave me a "rebuilt" title. Makes it legal to register and use which I did. Also made it insurable. (I have Allstate) We happily enjoyed it for a few years and eventually sold it. Had no trouble selling it, yes we were very clear about the title and the repairs. This was a trailer that was worth maybe 9,000 with a clean title, bought it for 4,000 and sold it for 4,000.(I put a couple thousand in it for tires and the inevitable upgrades.)

My point is a salvage or rebuilt title is nothing to get that exited over as long as you account for the reduced value. For a $500 trailer, it does not matter what kind of title it has. The value is in the condition and usability of the trailer at that price point. If your dad wants to use and enjoy it, then do so. Should be just some minor hoops to jump through to get the paperwork legal.