Legal to tow a salvage title fifth wheel?

[jdurango]

I'm considering purchasing a TX salvage title trailer for camping/living. I'm aware of the implications, pitfalls, insurance issues, potential land mines and major risk that this entails.

My main concern is being able to legally tow it through different states. If the tow vehicle is legal with a clean title and fully insured, but the trailer itself is marked as salvage, am I still legit? Does it vary by state? I'd like to potentially do a lot of traveling in it (once deemed safe of course)....would I need to contact the DMV for every state I might travel through? I've searched far and wide and can't find a definitive answer on this. It gets brought up but then the conversation goes off-topic to insurance coverage and other risks....or people start talking about motorhomes/RV's. I'm specifically asking about the legality of a salvage trailer/fifth wheel being towed by a clean, insured and capable tow vehicle.

Can anyone give a definitive answer? Thanks!

 

[Back2PA]

Once you have a valid registration you should be legal in all states.

 

[NY_Dutch]

What Scott said...

 

[Isaac-1]

I agree, however the ability to get a valid registration is going to vary by state, and may be impossible in some states.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Salvage title has nothing to do with the roadworthiness of a trailer.  If Texas deems it worthy of a license plate and current registration, you're good to go.

The only way you'll get in trouble is if it is structurally deficient - parts falling off that could create a road hazard, etc. just like any other vehicle.

I bought a salvage title Arctic Fox travel trailer 20 years ago in Arizona and registered it in California, where they inspected the usual items before issuing a license plate and registration.  I moved to WA several years later and when I registered it there it came back with a clean title - WA doesn't issue salvage titles to trailers.

It's still on the road, I gave it to my niece and her family last year.  They use it as a guest room and have it stocked and ready to go as a bugout shelter in case a CA wildfire threatens their home.

 

[mel s]

I'm considering purchasing a TX salvage title trailer for camping/living. I'm aware of the implications, pitfalls, insurance issues, potential land mines and major risk that this entails.
My main concern is being able to legally tow it through different states. If the tow vehicle is legal with a clean title and fully insured, but the trailer itself is marked as salvage, am I still legit? Does it vary by state? I'd like to potentially do a lot of traveling in it (once deemed safe of course)....would I need to contact the DMV for every state I might travel through? I've searched far and wide and can't find a definitive answer on this. It gets brought up but then the conversation goes off-topic to insurance coverage and other risks....or people start talking about motorhomes/RV's. I'm specifically asking about the legality of a salvage trailer/fifth wheel being towed by a clean, insured and capable tow vehicle.
Can anyone give a definitive answer? Thanks!

jdurango
IF you can get it legally registered in the state in which you reside you can legally tow it in all other states, without contacting the DMV of any state you might travel through.

 

[scottydl]

From a law enforcement perspective, there is generally no quick knowledge available on what kind of title a vehicle has. Not that it would matter, as others have suggested your legal traveling permission (nationwide) is based on valid registration. Get that, and you're good to go.

A "salvage" or "junk" title is more in place as documentation to protect future buyers, providing awareness that the vehicle may have structural issues and likely has very little resale value.

 

[jdurango]

Salvage title has nothing to do with the roadworthiness of a trailer.  If Texas deems it worthy of a license plate and current registration, you're good to go.

The only way you'll get in trouble is if it is structurally deficient - parts falling off that could create a road hazard, etc. just like any other vehicle.

I bought a salvage title Arctic Fox travel trailer 20 years ago in Arizona and registered it in California, where they inspected the usual items before issuing a license plate and registration.  I moved to WA several years later and when I registered it there it came back with a clean title - WA doesn't issue salvage titles to trailers.

It's still on the road, I gave it to my niece and her family last year.  They use it as a guest room and have it stocked and ready to go as a bugout shelter in case a CA wildfire threatens their home.

Wow, thanks everyone for the great replies! Well this is great news! Not only could I tow it home without getting the title rebuilt, but home for me is WA state (I live in Seattle). Does that mean WA would issue me a clean title??? Obviously there would still be a big ding in the vehicle VIN records, but technically, if I'm understanding correctly, the title would be technically "clean" or "cleanish" or maybe rebuilt? Thanks!

 

[Isaac-1]

This is the thing where every state is different, some state it is relatively trivial to register a salvage title vehicle, other states require special inspections before registering, and a few make it impossible to register a vehicle that has ever been titled as salvage regardless of its physical condition. 

 

[TheBar]

What Lou said about his experience in WA was a long time ago. Call your DMV and find out if you can get a title or even tow it home.

 

[grashley]

If you can get a tag - even temporary tag, you can tow in any state.  Once you get it home, you can work on a permanent tag.

Why is it a salvage title?  What will need fixed?

 

[jdurango]

Thanks everyone! I'll call the WA state DMV on Monday! I'm already looking forward to that SWEEEEEET hold music and excellent level of friendly customer service!

The trailer has damage to some exterior panels, the door/frame, rear bumper and one arm of the awning. It looks like it was side swiped or scraped along a guard rail. The frame and drive train appears to be completely unscathed along with any lights tail lights or turn signals....all electronics should be good. if not, as a genuine Seattle hipster, I've restored a fair bit of vintage pro audio equipment, tape machines, mixing consoles, etc. so vehicle wiring is a piece of cake.

I'll update this with info from WA DMV in case future persons are wondering the same thing. Thanks again everyone! 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

This isn't an official site but it has summary info on salvaged vehicle titles in Washington state.  Basically Washington does not issue "salvage" (branded) titles but will issue a clean one if the vehicle is certified as repaired to roadworthy condition. Just how to do that can get complex, but maybe not too difficult for a trailer with no damage to its running gear.

https://www.dmv.org/wa-washington/salvaged-vehicles.php
I believe the page below is official, but do your own research to be sure:
http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/docs/inspection_guides/rebuilt_salvage_vehicle_inspection_guide.pdf