Does the State of TN title truck campers?

[joe_julie81]

When we bought our Northstar in 2018 we, or the dealership,I can't remember, paid the sales tax to the state of TN. I assumed at that point TN generated a title and sent it to the lein holder, Bank of the West. However, we just sold it and paid off the bank who then sent us a letter of proof of the same,but no title. Instructions with the letter said to take it to the tag/title office in TN for a title. The clerk could find no record of the existence of the camper, and could not make or find a title stating that it was not a vehicle. Anyone run into this? The new owners are expecting title. Any experienced counsel in this matter would be appreciated.

[otrfun]

kohldad wrote:
. . . they may of sent in the OEM Certificate (what is used by states to issue the first title). I would think the bank may have that . . .

I've also heard this referred to as a "Certificate of Origin". Definitely make a point of getting an original copy of this document (from the dealer/owner) if you purchase a camper in a state that does not require registration/title. Down the road a Certificate of Origin makes a TC (that's never been registered/titled) a lot easier to sell if you end-up selling it to someone who lives in a state that does require a TC to be registered/titled.

[Pete_k]

mkirsch wrote:
What does "As long as we did not need a title" mean, though?

Shouldn't the TN authorities be the one to tell you if you need a title? If it were up to me I would not "need" a tile on anything. Lots of $$$ saved.

What does "As long as we did not need a title" mean, though? Thats easy to answer,
If you have a loan, that company 99% of the time. Wants a Title, thus you have to go through the DMV. They will take your $$ for the Tag and Title. Plus all Taxes due at that time.
But if you pay cash, have no loan on that camper. You can skip that part. Does that answer your question to that What Does?

[jimh406]

I had tags and title for my TC from WA, but MT doesn’t do them for TCs. Just a nuance though considering most people never move to a different state.

[ferndaleflyer]

DMV=Department of Motor Vehicles. No wheels or motor or other qualifying parts to make it a "Motor Vehicle" or trailer for that matter so why a title. If I put a cap on my pick up should I have a title for the cap?

[mkirsch]

What does "As long as we did not need a title" mean, though?

Shouldn't the TN authorities be the one to tell you if you need a title? If it were up to me I would not "need" a tile on anything. Lots of $$$ saved.

[Pete_k]

I was told, if I needed a Title. I had to pay Tn taxes and get a Tag. But if I did not need a Title. I did not need to do anything for a Truck camper. That was on our 2006 Okanagan. That we paid cash for back then. Bought in Denver Co, so nothing to do in Tn.
Fast Forward to last week. We were going to look at a 2018 used truck camper. Asked the same Question, was told again. As long as we did not need a Title. We did not need to come in. That a Bill of sale and Cert of built was all that I would need. Even tough the truck camper had a Tx Title.

[kohldad]

TN treats truck campers as cargo. They do not tax (except sales tax), issue titles, register or require tags on truck campers. Clerk won't have a record of the truck camper because they do not register it, only consider it as cargo. When the dealer sent the paperwork to the bank, they may of sent in the OEM Certificate (what is used by states to issue the first title). I would think the bank may have that.

However, since it is being sold from a state that doesn't issue title for truck campers, the best you can probably provide is a Bill of Sale. The buyer should check with his state and verify that a Bill of Sale will be sufficient for having a title issued in the buyers state IF that is required. He may just require you to have the Bill of Sale notarized or fill out another form.

[Grit_dog]

TC reg/title requirements are often confusing as are other ohvs/trailers/boats etc, in some states.
Some states will title something but not require registration, or vice versa. But generally if you have a license plate there is or should be a title.
I couldn’t find succinct information regarding TN but did you have a license plate and register it annually? According to internet info both are technically required for a TC.

PS, not beyond the capabilities of the dmv or bank to be totally wrong, so I can understand the confusion.

[joe_julie81]

Thanks, that helps a lot

[Dave_in_TN]

As of June 2019, TN had not yet adopted electronic titles. I am not aware that they have since. In my experience selling travel trailers and motor homes in TN, if there is a lien holder they hold the physical title. However, there may be a separate department at the bank that maintains them, and when you talk to loan services they may or may not be fully aware because most states have adopted the electronic titles. I would first contact Bank of the West again and tell them your state does not have electronic titles, and you want to ensure they don’t have the title anywhere, or that they aren’t in process of releasing it. In 2019 I paid off a loan with BB&T. They sent a payoff letter fairly quickly, but it took 3 weeks for them to mail the title to me.

Alternatively go back to the county clerk. It is concerning that they could not find it. Was the camper registered in their system? I’ve not owned a truck camper in TN so don’t know whether registration is required (although the link above seems to indicate it is). If the county can’t find it, is it possible to go back to the selling dealer and ask them to check their records on the titling documentation? Maybe they have some record of what was sent to TN when you purchased it.

Good luck. I know this can be frustrating.

[monkey44]

You have to request a new title and pay a fee. The bank only sends a lien release to the RMV. It stays electronic until you finalize it for yourself. Go into RMV and get your title if you want a paper document.

Have the new guy go with you, and he can pay one title fee and get it in his name instead of in yours first and then his - double fee. The title is clear as long as the bank sent the lien release to the RMV, then it's a clear electronic title in your name.

[towpro]

according to this link Tennessee does require a title.

In the world of electronic titles, I bet your bank electronically cleared a lean and your state can produce the title in a week or 2