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TruckCamperNoob's avatar
TruckCamperNoob
Explorer
Sep 10, 2020

Used TC: does it have a lien?

Hi everyone,

I am attempting to buy a used TC (you may have seen my recent post about towing a boat, I am in fact trying to buy that Lance 855S). I have the deal all lined up and have agreed upon a price, and now I’m trying to figure out how the legal transfer works.

I live in a state that requires a title and registration (Idaho). The seller just moved here from California, a state that does not require either, so the only legal document they have is a bill of sale showing they bought it from a dealer in California. It’s an “installment bill of sale”, which I believe means the purchased was financed.

It appears that the seller may have to get a title and register the TC in Idaho before selling it to me, but my bigger concern is this: how do I verify the TC does not still have money owed on it (or some other lien)?

The only solution I can think of is to write a bill of sale where the seller warrants that the title is free/clear/marketable, but that’s about all I’ve got. Are there other options or ways to do a lien search / title search?

Thanks in advance!
Truck Campers

27 Replies

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  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2020
    Most of the states do not require the registration and smog and whatever to be current when selling vehicle, but all advise to ask for it.
    In the past I was buying vehicle who had lease and process was so complicated, that at the end owner decided to pay off the loan and produce clear title for the sale.
    So why not in this case ask the seller to get local title before the sale?
    Lately I was trying to buy classic Mercedes in CA who "was park for 5 years in Montana and brought to CA"
    The seller insisted there was no back fees & penalties to pay - I still passed.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Sep 10, 2020
    Easiest way is make the seller title it first.
    Or make them show you paperwork of loan payoff since you know it once had a lien on it.
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2020
    1. When were truck campers first titled in Idaho?
    Answer - January 1, 2009.
    2. What truck campers are required to be titled?
    Answer - A truck camper purchased on or after January 1, 2009 must be titled if it meets all of the following
    requirements:
    • It is at least six feet long as originally constructed;
    • It has a floor, sides, and a roof;
    • It has at least one of the following permanently installed facilities:
    o stove;
    o refrigerator or icebox;
    o self-contained toilet;
    o heater or air conditioner;
    o drinkable water supply including a faucet and sink;
    o separate 110-125 volt electrical power supply; or
    o LP-gas supply
    Pickup hoods, shells, and canopies are not considered to be truck campers for titling purposes.


    Link
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2020
    TruckCamperNoob wrote:
    So... just got off the phone with our local DMV, and they state that a Truck Camper does not need a title in the state of Idaho "because it doesn't touch the ground," even though that is in direct contradiction to their website (i.e. #2 here: https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Truck-Campers-FAQs.pdf)

    Ahh... bureaucracy.

    Even if the seller first titled it in Idaho, which according to my convo with the DMV this morning might not be possible, I don't think they'd run a lien search on it (?). I don't think they care if there is a loan on it in order to title/register it.

    Hmmm....


    I would talk to someone else..That person is not up to speed or they would not have sent me a title..Mine needs a title..LOL
  • TruckCamperNoob's avatar
    TruckCamperNoob
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2020
    So... just got off the phone with our local DMV, and they state that a Truck Camper does not need a title in the state of Idaho "because it doesn't touch the ground," even though that is in direct contradiction to their website (i.e. #2 here: https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Truck-Campers-FAQs.pdf)

    Ahh... bureaucracy.

    Even if the seller first titled it in Idaho, which according to my convo with the DMV this morning might not be possible, I don't think they'd run a lien search on it (?). I don't think they care if there is a loan on it in order to title/register it.

    Hmmm....
  • mellow's avatar
    mellow
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2020
    If he gets you a clear Idaho title (no lien) wouldn't that get you what you want so you can register it? It wouldn't hurt to put in the BOS that the TC is free and clear of any liens just in case.

    I would ask the state if you can find someone to talk to these days about how to handle this.
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2020
    I live in a state that requires a title and registration (Idaho)


    As do I..I bought my TC in Montana and they also do not require a title etc..All I got was a bill of sale I took to the DMV with my truck and camper and they did a quick vin check off the plate inside the cupboard,and I was good to go and they sent me a title and registration.

    It was quick and easy and not the mess I thought it might be...Idaho did not require titles for truck campers until something like 2009 or so,so theres a bunch out there without titles,I assume..

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