Community Forums

itsmeje816 · 05-02-2011, 03:54 PM

Hello everyone, im a new member here so please bear with me if im in the wrong spot.
We have a great neighbor who just gave us a 22' Coachman Cadet TT, he had previously bought it not knowing the person he got it from just used it as a hunting camper and never registered it and didnt have a title, so he never registered it and it just sat in his yard. That was about 2 or so years ago.
Well he knew i was looking for a fixer upper so offered to give it to me about a week ago.
Problem, there are no identifiying marks on this thing ANYWHERE. Cant find a vin#, serial#, i dont even know what year it is. It does have a little plate on the inside that says 22' coachman cadet but thats ALL it says.
So how am i supposed to get this thing registered? Im not putting money into it unless i can register it.
Any ideas would be great, I have a few pictures i will post as soon as i find out how too.

Paul R. Haller · 05-02-2011, 04:16 PM

Fist of all, let me welcome you here at IRV@.com. There are many knowledgeable people here willing to help.

I do not know what state you are in but if in California the unpaid registration fees and fines add up yearly. I can tell you from experience that when you take the paperwork down to the DMV the repayment of the fees are often way, way more then the sale price. Perhaps in other states no title simply is a signature on a slip of paper saying that you swear it was not driven on any public road, but here... If you do not have a planned non op in advance the registering person is responsible for all fees + late fees accumulated through the years the car, trailer, or motorhome was not driven.
Talk to your own DMV before proceeding.
-Paul R. Haller-

itsmeje816 · 05-02-2011, 06:40 PM

That is definitly something we will have to think about, but first i have to figure out how to register it without vin # or any number for that matter.
We did start tearing it apart, because well when ISNT tearing stuff up fun, and found some random numbers under the dinette table and under the kitchen countertop, but no idea what they are.

Mekanic · 05-02-2011, 06:45 PM

I bet it has a vin you just haven't found it yet. it is usually on the tounge some where.

itsmeje816 · 05-03-2011, 04:56 AM

We looked on the tongue and frame a few times and dont see anything, but there is alot of rust and old paint so im going to try and gently peel it off and see it i can find it under all the gunk.

wingnut60 · 05-05-2011, 07:33 AM

Most states will assign a VIN to a unit if you complete the correct paperwork--probably will need a weight slip. Why don't you tell them it is a "shop-built" unit--that happens all the time and they give you a VIN.
Joe

Randy the sly old fox · 05-05-2011, 09:31 AM

It looks like the Cadet line started back in the 70's and returned again in the 90's as a hybred. I presume that yours is of the 70's vintage. There should be some sort of number stamped on the frame - it is possible that someone might have applied enough paint to fill them in. The only other ID would be found on a builders plate that is riveted to the body (and therefore removable). In most states you must license TTs and even park models - even if just used as a hunting shack. However after this many years, you are probably better off starting from scratch and call it a home built unit - if your DMV will let you.

itsmeje816 · 05-06-2011, 07:16 AM

We are actually going to the DMV today to talk to them about it. There is enough works thats needs to be done that by the time we are finished it will homebuilt anyway.
We have gutted it and for the most part the bones of the trailer are good except for in the back where the bathroom is. There was a leak that wasnt caught so we have to fix that.
We have plans to just make it a basic camper with no bathroom or kitchen except a sink, fridge, and microwave, so that it fits 2 adults and 3 kids comfortably. We always use the bathhouse at campgrounds anyway and cook outside.

Senior Chief · 05-06-2011, 07:20 AM

Ditto the recommendation you title it as home-built. In farming country, half the trailers you see on the roads were built in some old boy's shop. Its nothing new.

You will have to get it weighed.

Ray,IN · 05-06-2011, 07:23 PM

I would follow Paul's advice and phone your DMV with your questions. You don't need to volunteer your name or personal information for answers about state laws.
If it was a commercially made travel trailer it WILL have a VIN# stamped into the frame somewhere around the tongue area.
I suggest posting your question on our vintage RV forum. I know there are owners who have bought a long-sitting travel trailer without a title, rebuilt it, and licensed/registered it after the rebuild.

QuietWater · 05-06-2011, 07:37 PM

Does it look like this?

itsmeje816 · 05-07-2011, 06:26 AM

We went to the DMV and i believe going the Homebuilt trailer route will be easier than i thought. I finally got this picture loaded for you to see her. Apparently all my pictures have to be resized.

Mekanic · 05-12-2011, 06:11 PM

my 07 hughes utility trailer only had a Vin Decal that fell off on the way home (the day i bought it!!) I stenciled it on stainless plate and riveted to the frame on mine.