Selling Ontario licensed trailer in Texas

[ramsaymike]

Two years ago, we decided to leave our trailer, licensed and made in Ontario, on our owned lot in Mission Texas. We are now considering trading it in on a new unit. The dealers are saying that it will have to be registered in Tx in order for them to take it. We are now in the process of trying to determine how to do this and not making much progress. The manufacturer of the trailer is no longer in business but we see lots of them in the area. We live in Ontario and spend about 5 months in Tx. The trailer is insured by a US insurer.

Can anyone offer any suggestions or pointers (or links)?

Much appreciated....

[ramsaymike]

We did go to the DMV and got a package of instructions that we are working through now but it seems it is more for a motorized vehicle. We will keep trying at the DMV to clarify what we need to do for a trailer. I think we just need to find the right person....

[Carvin_Marvin]

How about going to the local DMV and ask them?

[ramsaymike]

Thanks for the replies. It's not practical for us to haul it back to Ontario as we sold the truck. We have started making inquiries but have not too much luck yet. We do have a TX "residence" - a lot with a coach house and the trailer. I think we just need to find the right contact. I'll post our experience.

[Parrothead_Mike]

I used to work for the Michigan Dept. of State (basically the motor vehicle dept.) and supervised northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula areas. This area dealt with Ontario titled vehicles on a daily basis. I did not work in the Sault Ste. Marie office, but know that they processed many Ontario titled vehicles regularly. My advice is that you directly contact the Texas Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Tell them what you want to do and get their input. Some states consider foreign manufactured and titled vehicles "grey market vehicles" and require additional documentation to be titled in the U.S. I would guess that this isn't the first time a Canadian wanted to sell their RV in the U.S.

[michelb]

I've never done it (only did imports from US to Canada) but I don't think it's that difficult. This link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml should provide answers for you (although I haven't read it).

A few points to keep in mind:
- I believe you need to bring it to the border to import it into the US. Ask them if you can do this at the MX/US border or if this has to be done at the CND/US border.
- You might need to have a US residence in order to do this. Furthermore, different states have different rules on who they allow to register vehicles in the state. Some only require an address, some require a DL (which I believe requires US status now).

Before you do too much, find out exactly how much the dealer is willing to give you. Because it's a Canadian unit, they might only offer significantly less than market value and it might be worth bringing it back to Canada to sell it there rather than trading it in.

Good luck.

[kaydeejay]

ramsaymike wrote:
Can anyone offer any suggestions or pointers (or links)?

Much appreciated....

Your problem is the fact the Manufacturer is out of business. You will have a hard time getting the paperwork you need to sell the trailer in the US. Not as tough as a motorized vehicle but I suspect you still need UL certification and a statement that all recalls are complete.

My 2c worth is that you would be MUCH further ahead to haul the trailer back to Ontario to sell.
Two reasons:
- You will avoid all the paperwork hassles
- Pretty sure you will get a MUCH better price for it in Canada.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.

[Francesca_Knowl]

The Ontario registration is the problem. As a rule, every such vehicle is considered an "import" if it's being sold here, and there are very specific rules about paperwork attached thereto. A buyer will be unable to license the trailer anyplace in the U.S.A. without that paperwork. That's probably why the dealer's balking.

You might get some help from a licensed "importer", though I'm not sure that's possible without a physical inspection/signoff at the border.

[Me_Again]

Ask the Mod to move this to the snowbird section!!!! Chris