mr_andyj wrote:
same question could apply to buying a used washer/dryer or a used lawn mower. None of these are vehicles either.
Unless you are in a State where the TC is considered a vehicle and has to have a tag there is not a lot you can do, but also not a lot that can be done if it is stolen unless the owner actually sees it and starts legal process. Then he will need proof that it was his.
Not sure if you are worried about the morality of buying stolen, or of the possibility you lose it.
I understand that it is not really that much different than buying a washer/dryer as far as if stolen...other than a used washer/dryer is probably under $300-$500 and isn't out on the road. I certainly wouldn't buy anything I knew was stolen no matter how good a deal it was. BUT, a TC could be $10K or much more...and that is a LOT of money to put at risk...not to mention that when you are using it, it is out there for anyone to recognize and say...hey, that's my trailer. Heck, if someone stole MY TC, I'd sure as hell keep an eye out for it. My point is what I can do to best protect against being out a lot of money I personally can't afford to put at risk or to find out if there is/isn't a way to access stolen property records to bounce the serial number against it. Or maybe I should just buy only from an original owner or require a paper trail from initial purchase to current owner. Granted, there can be things hidden that you can't always guarantee against, but I will do as much as possible to level that playing field.
