I'm looking at an old Airstream for restoration. When Mrs. Camping and I retire we want to keep camping but we'll be ready to put the tents in storage!
Airstream is in Oklahoma and they don't have a title. The current owner bought property and the Airstream was on it so he's never had a title. I plan on getting a bill of sale of course but not sure how easy it's going to be to title it. It will be years before I can finish a restoration and it gets on the road but I don't want to throw money and time at it and then be up a creek.

Questions -
Is there a way to have the VIN looked up to make sure it's not stolen before I spend money, drag it home and then fill out the law enforcement VTR-60-A form?
Any idea what a surety bond costs for the title?
What else do I need to be looking at for the legal side of this project?

Gone Camping said:

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I'm looking at an old Airstream for restoration. When Mrs. Camping and I retire we want to keep camping but we'll be ready to put the tents in storage!
Airstream is in Oklahoma and they don't have a title. The current owner bought property and the Airstream was on it so he's never had a title. I plan on getting a bill of sale of course but not sure how easy it's going to be to title it. It will be years before I can finish a restoration and it gets on the road but I don't want to throw money and time at it and then be up a creek.

Questions -
Is there a way to have the VIN looked up to make sure it's not stolen before I spend money, drag it home and then fill out the law enforcement VTR-60-A form?
Any idea what a surety bond costs for the title?
What else do I need to be looking at for the legal side of this project?

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Go by or call one of the Oklahoma tag agencies. If it was ever plated/registered in Oklahoma then they'll be able to pull up the VIN and give you the information you need.. May even give you the name of who had the title last..

You should be able to get a bonded title, and in turn a standard title. I did it on a bike and it was simple.

In fact, I need to do it on another bike but don't know where to go to get one.

Old (vintage) travel trailers never had vin numbers. However, there should be a serial number on the side of the Airstream. Often the serial number was stamped on top of the tongue as well.

You'll need to consult to dmv there in Oklahoma, as well as where you plan to title it. As mentioned, it may be easier to get bonded title. What year is the trailer? If there's a license plate or old registration, hopefully that information will still be on record.

This process varies by state. When I lived in Oregon, I could send a release of interest letter to the address of the last registered owner of the trailer. When it returned as unable to deliver, I could apply for a title in Oregon.

Pro tip.. Go find a very small dmv with a friendly person behind the counter to help you out. This process can be tough in a busy dmv with unhelpful employees.

What year is the Airstream? Got pics? I like the really old ones.

marcel ledbetter said:

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Old (vintage) travel trailers never had vin numbers. However, there should be a serial number on the side of the Airstream. Often the serial number was stamped on top of the tongue as well.

You'll need to consult to dmv there in Oklahoma, as well as where you plan to title it. As mentioned, it may be easier to get bonded title. What year is the trailer? If there's a license plate or old registration, hopefully that information will still be on record.

This process varies by state. When I lived in Oregon, I could send a release of interest letter to the address of the last registered owner of the trailer. When it returned as unable to deliver, I could apply for a title in Oregon.

Pro tip.. Go find a very small dmv with a friendly person behind the counter to help you out. This process can be tough in a busy dmv with unhelpful employees.

What year is the Airstream? Got pics? I like the really old ones.

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Can't post a pic but it's a 75, built in '74. Sovereign 31, mid bath, with the vista windows so lots of natural light (and probably leaks) in the bedroom and living areas. Straight body and the interior is still there but rough. Not saving the interior but glad it's there to use as templates for rebuild.

I have the serial number and I talked to OK DMV and they said it was last titled in '98 but I'd have to file paperwork to get who the owner was. They did look and said it's not showing up in the national database as stolen so that makes me feel better about the required Texas Law Enforcement Identification Inspection back here.

I guess we'll go see what it looks like in person and see if we can make a deal!

Good luck! When you work out a time frame and budget for the rebuild, multiply time four. I'm speaking from experience. They can be fun projects.

If you don't get any luck with OK, you can get a title from Vermont relatively easy.