Many of us want to own a trailer for obvious reasons. It could really come in handy in out-of-town camping, vacations, hunting, fishing trips, and also for moving things around. Make sure that when you purchase your vehicle, you get a bill of sale for trailer. This is a document that authenticates your sale and makes the buyer the new owner of the trailer.

Bills of Sale for Trailer












What is a bill of sale for trailer?

The bill of sale for trailer contains a paper transcript that illustrates the details concerning the sale of a non-powered trailer used to tow or in tow of another vehicle. The travel trailer bill of sale provides material facts regarding the seller, buyer, the trailer, the sale date, and signature to authenticate the purchase. You can also use this as proof of ownership for various purposes.

Camper Bills Of Sale











Do you need a bill of sale for a trailer?

It’s a sound business decision to take the required steps in securing a trailer or camper bill of sale when transferring it to a new owner even if it’s not a requirement in the state where you live. But in most states, the travel trailer bill of sale is still a requirement to legally show the vehicle changing ownership and all other details involved.

Some states still mandate the trailer purchase agreement to get signified on the bill of sale for your trailer. There are two main reasons why you should get a trailer or camper bill of sale when you intend to purchase or sell such a vehicle:

  • These vehicles are quite expensive
    Whether you plan to buy or sell the trailer, you should have proof of the transaction in case another party makes a claim against ownership or if someone gets injured in the trailer after selling it. This makes the document a simple form of insurance.
  • It is a requirement
    The state where you live in may require that you register your trailer with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You need an official bill of sale for trailer when applying for registration as proof of ownership.

Having in your possession a properly executed trailer purchase agreement or bill of sale protects you from future issues and allows the buyer to register the trailer without issues.
How do you write a bill of sale for a trailer?

The rules on how to write a travel trailer bill of sale vary in every state. You can obtain this document from your local DMV, from the tax assessor-collector’s office in your county or you can even write your own document. If you choose to write your own template, make sure to include the key elements:

  • The complete name and address of the seller.
  • The complete name and address of the buyer.
  • A comprehensive description of the trailer including identification numbers, serial numbers, model, make, size, design, color, any distinguishing marks, faults or features.
  • The vehicle identification number (VIN) of the trailer and its license plate number.
  • Any special conditions made as part of the sale.
  • The transaction date.
  • The complete name of the previous owner who sold the trailer to you.
  • The amount the buyer paid for the trailer.
  • The payment method.
  • Any other agreements like the due dates for payments, interest rates, and late payments.

Travel Trailer Bills Of Sale











Can I get a trailer title with a bill of sale?

Before the buyer can use the trailer on public roads, they need to have it registered first in their state of residence. How to do this particular process depends on the state’s policy although most states require that they complete the process within 30 days after purchasing the trailer.

You need to produce for the procedure the trailer camper bill of sale, a signed-over title, a registration application that you accomplished and signed, valid identification, and the proper payment of taxes and fees.

It may also be a requirement to provide active liability insurance for the trailer along with the previous registration of the trailer. For the exact details, you can contact your local state transportation agency or DMV.

Steps for selling a trailer

A Bill of Sale for trailer is a document that contains transaction details that took place between a buyer and a seller for used or new trailers. Trailers are often used to transfer vehicles, boats, items or other equipment. The process of purchasing a trailer is fairly straightforward. Consider this short guide below if you plan to sell your trailer:

  • Determine the type of trailer
    The price of trailers may range from just a couple of hundred dollars to thousands depending on the type and there are many to choose from. The most common types are:
    Hauling Trailers
    Flatbed Trailers
    Dry-Van or Enclosed Trailers
    Vehicle Carrying Trailers
    Once you have decided on the type of trailer, it’s recommended to get the length, number of axels, maximum weight, year, and any other specifics that may benefit the buyer.
  • Determine the selling price of the trailer
    Unlike traditional vehicles, trailers come in unique sizes and shapes. The price of each trailer is mainly determined by the type instead of the manufacturer. It’s recommended to view comparables to what others offer so you can offer a competitive price.
  • Create a listing for the trailer
    The seller must first clean the trailer of any debris then paint over the rust spots that exist before making a listing. A cleaned and retouched trailer looks better in pictures when posted online. It’s better to use online and offline options when listing the trailer for sale.
  • Meet with interested buyers
    You can now agree to meet prospective buyers in the hopes that you can sell it for your asking price. When dealing with prospective buyers, make sure that they’re qualified by merely asking them what they plan to use the trailer for and if they have the money to purchase it. Most money lenders won’t provide a loan for just a trailer unless another vehicle is part of the sale.
  • Negotiate the selling price
    Negotiations for the price usually depend on the documentation you have for the trailer. Aside from the title, if you can provide the receipts showing that important spare parts such as the tires and axels were recently replaced or repaired, there will be a better chance that you will get close to your asking price.
    On the other hand, in the absence of documentation, the buyer may see your trailer as a high-risk investment and may ask for a big discount in order to feel motivated to buy.
  • Complete the bill of sale for trailer
    To ensure that both parties are the persons who they claim to be, it’s recommended to present government-issued identifications to each other. Use the instructions provided on a bill of sale template to enter the details of the purchase correctly.
  • Register with or notify the state
    In the case of a used trailer, the buyer has to get the title cleared then transferred before submitting the application for registration. Most states give a time frame between 5 to 30 days for the trailer to get registered. Failure to comply means it isn’t illegal to operate the trailer on the road.
    To ensure that the registration gets completed within the given timeframe, submit all the requirements which include the title, registration application, bill of sale, sales tax, and other pertinent documents to the licensing office in your locale. After this, the sale is now complete and both parties shall have no obligations to one another unless you included such in the bill of sale.

Trailer Purchase Agreements













Can I write my own bill of sale for a car?

To summarize, a car or camper bill of sale is a document that confirms that you have sold your car. This document will also provide basic information about the vehicle and the terms of the sale. Although it’s not required in some states, it’s best to create one as it can help prevent confusion or misunderstanding.

Some states don’t offer a downloadable car bill of sale form but you might find a free online template that you can use. You also have the option to write one yourself. If you opt to do this, make sure that your bill of sale for a car includes the following:

  • The date when you sold the car.
  • A comprehensive description of the vehicle including its make, model, year, current mileage, Vehicle identification number (VIN), and license plate number.
  • The agreed-upon selling price. If the car is a partial or complete gift, you should still make a bill of sale for it. Indicate that the car is a partial or complete gift and indicate the lowered price if you charged any amount of money for it.
  • Information about the warranties of the car. You can assume most private party sales to be “as is,” meaning that they don’t have any warranties. But if you made a different agreement, place all of the details in the bill of sale.
  • The complete names and addresses of the buyer and seller. Also, include both signatures. Above the signature, include a statement that indicates the accuracy of the information in the document.