How to buy a trailer from a private seller?

[buffalonick]

Just wondering in NYS how i go about moving a trailer once i buy it off of a private seller. If the seller is 300 miles away and i go and get it can i just have them sign the title and i can drive back on the current plates untill i get it renewed? And a utility trailer for personal use is covered under my trucks liability insurance right? Also what all do i have to get from the seller once i buy the trailer?

[punt66]

Just wondering in NYS how i go about moving a trailer once i buy it off of a private seller. If the seller is 300 miles away and i go and get it can i just have them sign the title and i can drive back on the current plates untill i get it renewed? And a utility trailer for personal use is covered under my trucks liability insurance right? Also what all do i have to get from the seller once i buy the trailer?

You cannot use plates registered to the previous owner. The legal way is to get your documents and bill of sale and register it or get a temp for transport.

[buffalonick]

Yea i searched for temporary transport info on the dmv website and couldnt find it. How do you go about getting that?

[punt66]

go to your dmv, but you need to have the bill of sale and title.

[Gregg1987]

FYI:
NYS DMV does NOT issue temp plates (yes they suck...)

i tried it once and i was told no "we do not issue temp plates in NY"


You would need the title and bill of sales in order to fully register (and get plates) THEN go back and get the trailer with Trailer plates.


You need to check with your insurance company however mine informed me that...

My trailer is only 1/2 covered under my cars insurance.
Meaning...

- If someone hits me, and causes damage to the trailer its covered under my cars insurance.

- However! if i hit someone and it causes damage to my trailer. It is NOT covered...


You have more options however...


You can get separate Trailer Insurance (in addition to your car insurance).
- This will obviously cover your trailer in all aspects just like car insurance covers your car.
(but fyi i myself priced this out and at least for me i would save money buying a NEW trailer then to pay for trailer insurance... so... NOT WORTH IT! but hey check it out for yourself maybe your company is cheaper!!! Good luck!)

Just to give you an idea of the price. The price for my trailer insurance for 1 year. would buy me a new trailer and have a few hundred dollars to spare (OBVIOUSLY not worth it.)


You can get some items covered under your liability insurance. (i have all my equipment under the same policy as my liability) however my company would not cover my trailer under that policy. for that they said to get trailer insurance which well see above comment... I'm better off just buying a new one... its cheaper!


Sorry for wall of text! but hope this helps. this is all i know on this topic. i live on Long Island, NY so i don't think the rules here would be any different from there...

Good Luck !
Gregg

[Gregg1987]

oh but punt66 is right about what he said, legal way is to get your own plates.

but lucky for punt CT does offer temp plates. NY is just mean! lol

this i know because when i tried to bring a car home from CT i used my uncle who lives there (used his address) since they offered temp plates and NY didn't ! (sneaky!) lol