Federal odometer statement

[Winepress]

I'm getting ready to trade in my current toad and was wondering about the odometer statement you have to sign when selling or trading in a vehicle. I guess it comes down to the definition of miles accrued. The odometer reading is of course different from the miles on the car. Although the engine is not running, most of the driveline, tires, and suspension is functioning as it would when driving.
I'm sure I'm not the first person to face this, I'm just not sure what to indicate on the form that says something about this thing called perjury?
What's the definition of miles?


Try and live up to your dogs opinion of you.

[CLIFFTALL]

I've never seen this topic ( doesn't mean it hasn't come up ) . I traded two toads with the base plate and aux brake on them to dealers and they never asked. They took the odometer reading for what it was.

[JiminJersey]

In NJ, the title has a section that basically says, "The odometer reading may or may not be correct as to the actual miles" and the seller signs it. The buyer can take it or leave it. Not sure about your state, it's probably state-specific. There's got to be some way for a seller to state that the odometer is/is not accurate, and the buyer to accept it or not.

[Winepress]

Here's the form. It's a federal law that applies to all 50 states.

http://www.tetonwyo.org/cc/docs/OdometerStatement.pdf

Again, I think it comes down to the definition of miles accrued. I think that if you indicate the miles are not accurate, then the resale is going to go down. On the other hand, if you indicate that the miles are accurate, you could have an issue in the future.


Try and live up to your dogs opinion of you.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Don't make this too hard. Nobody is coming after you for fraud as long as you didn't tamper with the odo. The vehicle manufacturer designed the odo so that it only counts miles when the ignition is on. If the engine isn't running, the miles don't count.

[Dr4Film]

Apples and Oranges - Driving miles with the engine running and using the transmission to go from Point A to Point B are not the same as towing miles.

That's why most people try to find a toad whose mileage doesn't accumulate when flat towed. If they can't then sometimes they tow it on a tow dolly.

I have yet to see an odometer reading on a boat trailer, 5th wheel, Tow Dolly or trailer.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Percival6]

Richard, I dont know about that last statement, we recently sold our travel trailer and about a month later the buyers call and say the (California) DMV needs us to sign the odometer section declaring the mileage for the TRAILER! We were both dumbfounded.

Apparently the clerk who initially entered the transfer checked a box that is irreversible that requires the odometer section to be filled and signed. Oh well, they only live in the town next to us and ended up making friends with the buyers and are planning to go camping with them!

Odometer reading on a trailer, who would've thought?

[Dr4Film]

Yup,

Those DMV people in California have no clue. Plus they like to play God when it comes to their job. Lived there for 16 years, glad to be done with them.

I've been an "official" Alaskan since 2010 but only spend some summers there with my kids. My next state of domicile will most likely be Florida once I find a place to "settle down".

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Winepress]

I searched everywhere trying to find the correct answer but could not find an official answer. I did find that this odometer statement is not applicable for vehicles over ten years old. Since my trade in is ten years old, it's not an issue.
However, if I were a buyer, not wanting to tow and was looking at two cars with similar mileage, but one was a toad, we'll I'm going to take the non towed one.


Try and live up to your dogs opinion of you.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by Percival6

Richard, I dont know about that last statement, we recently sold our travel trailer and about a month later the buyers call and say the (California) DMV needs us to sign the odometer section declaring the mileage for the TRAILER! We were both dumbfounded.

Apparently the clerk who initially entered the transfer checked a box that is irreversible that requires the odometer section to be filled and signed. Oh well, they only live in the town next to us and ended up making friends with the buyers and are planning to go camping with them!

Odometer reading on a trailer, who would've thought?

Actually most over the road trailers do have odometers. It's either installed in one of the wheel hubs by the manufacturer or by the owner. It helps keep track of miles towed for maintenance purposes.

Here's a link to an example:
Hubodometers - truck hubodometers - trailer hubodometers - Brake and Wheel Truck Parts - Triseal Hubodometers- tampa fl

[wa8yxm]

How old is the car? I would, personally, not count the miles it was being a trailer, Else you have the option of saying Odometer not accurate actual millage not known/

Take your pick

[Duoglide1]

I'm not sure about all states but in some that signature verification of odometer only applies to a licensed dealer.


2005 Inspire 330 Davinci, #51334. C9

[BobGed]

I have sold three previous four down towed vehicles, and while I have had to enter the odometer reading on the state issued title, I have never seen or been required to sign a federal form.

I sold all of the vehicles through private party transactions, and in each ad I stated the vehicle was setup for towing behind a vehicle, mainly in hopes that I would find some one with a coach looking for a toad. I stated the actual odometer mileage and the approximate towing miles. However all of them were sold to non-motor home buyers. I had no qualms about entering the mileage that was on the odometer.

I guess if some one were trading in their towed and were concerned the dealer wouldn't pass on that information to the next buyer, and wanted to have some sort of disclosure protection, they could put an ad on Craigslist stating the actual miles and the approximate towing miles. Then if they were ever challenged they could show a copy of the ad and say they gave the same information to the dealer.

I personally just don't think it's that big of a deal to worry about, but you never know.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

Actually most over the road trailers do have odometers. It's either installed in one of the wheel hubs by the manufacturer or by the owner. It helps keep track of miles towed for maintenance purposes.

Here's a link to an example:
Hubodometers - truck hubodometers - trailer hubodometers - Brake and Wheel Truck Parts - Triseal Hubodometers- tampa fl

I have yet to see a TT that has one and I've been RV'ing since 1957.