Need Advice/Help Registering a Modified Popup Camper (now a utility trailer) in North Carolina

Hello.

I have had zero luck with the NC DMV or the Highway Patrol office or the Tag Office. I understand things are crazy right now with the COVID situation, but maybe some of you have been through this before and can offer advice.

I purchased a 1985 Coleman popup camper in 2016 from a private seller here in NC. The camper was titled in the owners name, and when I bough it he signed the title over to me and had it notarized. I have not had the title officially put in my name yet, I only have the original title with all our signatures on it.

Since then I scrapped the entire camper and took it down to the frame/wheels/axle. I attached boards onto it, turning it into a utility trailer for hauling my ATV and kayaks. The original VIN (when it was a camper) is still stamped on the tongue and on the axle. The DMV website has been no help at all and I can not get anyone at the DMV on the phone at any location (again I'm sure this is due to the COVID situation).

What I want to know is:

Should I remove the original VINs from the trailer and apply for new ones as if I had built the trailer from scratch?

Or should I try to get it retitled as-is and just not mention to them that it is no longer a camper (though I'm thinking this would cost me more in property taxes)?

Or should I just slap a Farm Use plate on it and hope for the best?

Have any of you ever dealt with this situation before? Thanks!

 

Leave the original VIN# as is.
Transfer the title to your name when you can(due to Covid19) and ask DMV if you can repurpose from travel trailer to utility trailer. If DMV won't repurpose trailer title you still have a title and Commissioner of Revenue can adjust tax upon visual inspection.
Farm use plates only go so far depending on location and circumstances.
The converted trailer may be worth more $ than an 1985 Coleman pop up camper in regards to tax value. Your call there. Good luck.

 

Here in Michigan it's stupid easy to get an "assembled" trailer plate and registration. Just show up to the DMV with the receipts of what you spent on putting it together. In addition our plates are permanent. 1 time fee.

If I was the former manufacturer of the trailer, I would not want my name associated with how you modified it. Strip the VIN and just go get an assembled title.

I actually "bought" my buddies trailer and registered it in my name. "I" have a permanant plated trailer in Florida, yet live in Michigan.