How to Sell an RV Without a Title (Explained)

Have you ever wondered how to sell an RV without a title? Well, look no more. We´ve got you covered.

While Recreational Vehicles (RVs) are perfect for revolutionizing travel, if you are done with life on the road, or if you are looking to upgrade your rig, you may want to look at selling your camper.

Selling an RV without a title is possible, but it will cause more hassle and can take extra organization.

So, how to sell an RV without a title? If you have lost the title to your RV, don´t worry, simply follow the steps below:

Get a title through your local DMV.
To obtain the title, you need the certificate of origin
You need to provide a bill of sale
and a certificate of inspection.

Once you have a replacement title or a bonded title, you can sell your RV and upgrade to a new rig or find your next adventure.

Table of Contents

What is a Title for a Vehicle?

👉 A title is a document that proves ownership of a vehicle. It contains crucial information like the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

You will need to have it to formally transfer ownership of your RV to the buyer. The title makes it possible for the owner to register and license the vehicle, while legally proving that they own it.

👉 The VIN is the most important part of the title. The VIN can be found on the door or the dashboard of the vehicle. It is a specific number that corresponds to unique vehicles and can help identify your vehicle.

The title will also usually include the make, model, and year of the vehicle. It also must include the owner(s)’s names and address(es). This is important for designating who owns the RV.

👉 When you sell an RV, you will need to fill out a title transfer to legally transfer ownership from one person to another. It will need to be signed by the seller and the buyer.

It also needs to include information like addresses of the seller and buyer, the purchase price, and the date of purchase. When using a title transfer, you will have to see if your state requires title transfers to be notarized.

What if You Do Not Have the Title?

Although titles are needed to transfer the ownership of recreational vehicles, sometimes you may not have a title.

The title may have been lost, stolen, or destroyed by fire or water. Luckily, there are still many ways to handle this problem and legally transfer ownership of your RV.

You can fill out a title application and use a bill of sale to help sell a camper legally.

Ways to get a new title without having the old title >> Check out the video below:

Title Application

A title application is one of the easiest ways to obtain a title to sell your camper. Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the best place to start to gather a title application.

You can download a title application from the DMV’s website, or you can visit the DMV in person.

👉 You will need several other important documents to fill out the title application. Hopefully, you have retained at least a few of these documents.

These documents include a certificate of origin (from the camper’s manufacturer), certificate of inspection, and bill of sale (from whomever you purchased the camper).

👉 There will likely be a fee to fill out a title application. You will want to be sure to save money for that or work out a deal with the buyer to work out payment of the title application fees.

👉 Once the title application is completed and mailed, the DMV will check to see if they can issue a title. They will ensure that the vehicle has not been stolen and that there are no pending legal issues associated with your title.

They will also do an investigation to make sure that your camper is legal by all state requirements. This will likely include weight checks, safety inspections, and emissions tests.

👉 If you pass those tests, you can move on to the next step of the title acquisition process.

Take the application for the title, bill of sale, certificate of origin, your driver’s license, and the certificate of inspection to the DMV.

Because each state’s DMV has unique requirements for their registration process, always confirm with the DMV before you leave to confirm that you have all of the required documentation.

Bill of Sale

A bill of sale is a document that verifies the sale of a vehicle between two owners. You will need it to certify the purchase between two owners.

Bill of sales examples are available online. You can also create your own if you want to keep everything in your hands.

If you create your own, there is specific information you will want to include to make the transition as painless as possible.

Date of Sale– This is for the day the sale is finalized. If you are discussing the sale for several days, be sure to include the final date of the transaction.
Price- Include the total price paid to buy the camper.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)- If you do not know where to find the vehicle identification number of your vehicle, check on the inside of the door or the dashboard.
Names- You need to include the names of both the buyer and the seller. Include full names and be sure to have the names written in print in addition to the signature.
Taxes- Include any pertinent tax information for the recreational vehicle.
Signatures– You will need the signatures of the buyer and the seller. In most cases, you will also need the signature of a notary and/or witness.
Additional Information- Check with your local DMV (either by calling or confirming on the DMV’s website) if they require any additional information.

The bill of sale can be used to help obtain a title or to obtain a bonded title. Make sure that you and the buyer both maintain copies of the bill of sale, in case there are ever disputes or questions about the transactions.

Certificate of Origin from Manufacturer

👉 Another crucial document if you do not have the title is the certificate of origin from the manufacturer.

A similar document that you may have instead is the manufacturer statement of origin. It is given from the manufacturer to the original purchaser.

👉 If you originally purchased the RV, you will likely still have the certificate of origin, and you can then more easily sell the camper.

A certificate of origin allows the DMV to certify the original specifications of the camper.

👉 If you do not have the certificate of ownership, you can contact the dealership where you got your RV and ask for a copy.

When you contact the dealership, be prepared to provide the vehicle identification number, year, make model, vehicle description, and a bill of sale (if you bought the RV used rather than new from a dealership).

If you purchased your RV used, you may not know who originally sold it. Luckily, this information is easily found on sites like Carfax.com.

👉 In some cases, even after doing this work, you may find that the dealership does not have a copy of the certificate of origin.

While this will require more work, hope is not lost! You can contact the original manufacturer to see if they have a copy.

You can also contact the DMV where the RV was first registered, and they may have a copy of the certificate of origin.

The certificate of origin is a crucial document if you are going to sell your RV without a title or attempt to obtain a title to sell your RV.

If you do not have it, luckily there are still plenty of ways to obtain the certificate of origin.

Certificate of Inspection

👉 A certificate of inspection is also needed to request a new title. This is likely not a document you already have in your possession.

You obtain a certificate of inspection after the Department of Transportation (DOT) inspects your vehicle as part of the title application process.

Each state may have its unique specifications for the inspection. You will need to make sure that your RV is in working order and meets all safety conditions.

You can expect the inspector to look at the wheels, brakes, reflectors, taillights, headlights, and tires of the RV.

Make sure your reflectors are intact, your wheels are sturdy, your tires have strong tread, and that your headlights and taillights are complete and in working order.

👉 The inspector will also make sure your license is visible and up to date. Make sure mud and dirt are not covering your license plate.

You will also want to ensure that the numbers and letters are still visible. There should also be a white light highlighting the rear license plate. Make sure that light is not burned out.

Constructed RVs and Scrap Titles

Another reason that your RV may not have a title may be that you built your RV or you modified a van into a camper van.

In this case, you cannot have a certificate of origin or a bill of sale, because the camper was made by you, not by an RV manufacturer.

If you need a title for an RV you built that you want to sell, you can obtain a scrap title from the DMV.

Check online or call your local DMV to see if they require any particular documents to obtain a scrap title.

You will likely need the year of the vehicle, weight, and length. They may also want other specifications like the current odometer reading.

Bonded Titles

Bonded titles are titles that you can obtain for an extra price (bond) to ensure that the vehicle belongs to you.

They are not easy to attain and they cost extra, so it is worthwhile to explore all other options before seeking to obtain a bonded title.

👉 You will need to prove that you own the vehicle to attain a bonded title. You should track down a bill of sale or proof that it was given as a gift.

To apply for a bonded title, you will need to purchase a lost title bond. You can occasionally work out a compromise with the buyer to make a deal for who will pay for the title bond.

👉 You will also need to fill out the paperwork with requirements similar to those for the standard title application. You will then head to the DMV with your bond and bond title application to get your bonded title.

Conclusion

If you have lost the title to your RV, it is still possible to legally sell your camper. Obtaining a title through your local DMV will make it easier to sell your RV.

Buyers will not be scared away by the lack of title and you will be able to more easily avoid any future legal troubles.

You will need several documents to attain a title. Those documents will include a certificate of origin, a bill of sale, and a certificate of inspection.