no TITLE, no VIN#: how to approach Oregon DMV

[bbuehler]

I know all the different states ask for different items in order to license, title and register in OREGON a trailer that has no findable VIN#, no title and was abandoned in the not too distant past (maybe within the last 5-10 years).
We are having a frustrating time with DMV...I spent 1/2 hour on the phone with headquarters in Salem, and have yet to get a call back with how to get the trip permit (can't give one with no VIN#) or how to start the process of getting a title for an abandoned vehicle from Washington state (that's all we know).
I've seen quite a few threads on here discussing different approaches with Canada and different US states but can't recall if there was ever something specific from Oregon, in order that I can put both DMV and us out of our misery!
Any help is always APPRECIATED!
Thanks.
Barbara Buehler
gardencoach[at]live.com

[Donna D.]

Barbara, I've moved this topic out of General Chat and into Problem Solving.... hope we can help you find a solution.

Here's a topic specific to Oregon Titles.... from a member that purchased the trailer in Washington State without a title, you may find some tips here:
Problems with titles - what are my options?

Try this one too, it has information about a company that may be able to help you:
A Trillium with no title

Good luck... see you Soon!!

[Larry&Carrie]

Hmm-- as for a trip ticket, buy one in WA... If you go to a licensing office (auditors at the county seat or a Deputy Auditors office - most larger towns have one) in WA, you can buy a generic trip ticket even if you don't have the VIN with you -$25, also you can go to a WA state DOT office, but there you need the VIN-$15 if I remember right. Otherwise just grab a license plate off another trailer you have and use that. Just plead ignorance if stopped.... If you can find the VIN, then go to a licensing dept in WA, show them a legible picture or a rubbing of it, (this is experience talking here- my Compact JR was this way), they'll run the VIN. If it has not been licensed in the last 7 years, it will come up "No Record Found". WA state will then issue you a 24 month "Registration Only Title" in your name. (now mind you, you need to register it to a WA address tho, I think) This means that if the last owner for some reason comes up with proof of ownership, he/she can reclaim it, but has to reimburse you for the improvements. It's not insurmountable, but a pain. I did that with the Compact and its been over a year now, and no one in sight.
Hope this wasn't confusing.... Larry

[floyd]

I know all the different states ask for different items in order to license, title and register in OREGON a trailer that has no findable VIN#

starboard side top of the frame rail, just aft of the hitch. the VIN # is stamped with 1/4" welder's stamps. Gently scrape, sand or scotchbrite the area to expose the VIN.

[Dan Meyer]

1) You could always rent a flatbed trailer to get the trailer home.

2) Was there a license plate on the trailer? With that, you should be able to find all you need. What about the address where the trailer was found - there is always the chance that was where the trailer was registered, and the DMV should be able to help with that.

Also, see my web site's Scamp VIN decoding area to see a picture of a VIN, and get a better idea of where to find where the VIN gets stamped into the frame.

-- Dan Meyer

[floyd]

starboard side top of the frame rail, just aft of the hitch. the VIN # is stamped with 1/4" welder's stamps. Gently scrape, sand or scotchbrite the area to expose the VIN.

Since you are in Oregon, if you fail to get a title by conventional means, you might try telling the state government that it is a rare "spotted owl" egg, then petition them for guardianship! Tell them that it will become protective habitat for an O.W.L. (Ostentatious Western Lady) .... Hey, it's the government, the taller the story the more likely they'll believe it!

[Flygal]

It's not insurmountable, but a pain. I did that with the Compact and its been over a year now, and no one in sight.
Hope this wasn't confusing.... Larry

heeey larry you found my....what was it...compact Jr...thank goodness I've been looking all over for that

[clavo]

Oregon is very weird with low weight trailers/camper and registering them... Hoping to keep this thread with people who have solved this problem in Oregon.

So I have an almost similar situation to the original poster, but it's 2024 and this thread was started a long time ago.

I plan on moving soon and have a 13' Love Bug with Bill of Sale (and previous bill of sale). There is a faint number stamped on it. I want to say maybe 8 digits long that I assume was a VIN of sorts back in the early 1970s. No records ever show it registered or titled as neither are required here.

Has anyone recently gotten a non-titled 13' (under 1000 or 2000lbs) camper titled and registered here?

Is it true that there are 'services' that help with this?

Thanks.