Title, MCO and Purchase Documents

What an MCO or MSO is

A new trailer does not come with a title. It comes with a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, abbreviated MCO, also called a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or MSO. The two terms mean the same thing. It is the document the trailer manufacturer issues for each unit it builds, stating the VIN, make, model year, body type, GVWR, shipping weight and the first dealer the unit was delivered to.

The MCO is the trailer's birth certificate. It travels with the unit through the distribution chain and is signed over from dealer to buyer on the back. Until the first retail buyer registers the trailer, the MCO is the only ownership document that exists.

What a title is

A title is issued by a state motor vehicle agency after the first retail buyer presents the MCO along with the bill of sale and the state's application. The state records the owner, any lienholder, and the VIN, and issues the title in the owner's name. From that point forward the title is the document that transfers ownership when the trailer is sold used; the MCO is retired.

Some states do not title trailers at all below a certain weight, or title them only on request; they register the trailer and issue a registration card and plate instead, with the MCO or a prior bill of sale serving as proof of ownership. Other states title every trailer regardless of weight. This varies widely, so the first call is to the agency in the state where the trailer will be registered.

What you receive from AREA TRAILER SALES

For each trailer we sell, we provide the documents for that specific unit:

• The original MCO or MSO, assigned to the buyer named on the order.
• A bill of sale showing the buyer, the VIN, the purchase price and the date.
• Any manufacturer paperwork that shipped with the unit, such as the owner's manual, warranty registration card and component documentation.
• An odometer statement is not applicable to trailers, but some states require a separate weight or VIN verification form; we will complete our portion where the form allows.

The VIN on the MCO matches the VIN plate riveted to the trailer, usually on the tongue or front curbside frame rail. Check them against each other at pickup or delivery before you sign.

Registering in your state

The general steps are the same almost everywhere, but the forms, fees, inspection requirements and whether a title is issued differ by state:

• Take the MCO, bill of sale and your identification to your state's motor vehicle agency or an authorized tag service.
• Complete the state's application for title and registration.
• Pay the state's title and registration fees, as assessed by the agency.
• Receive a plate, a registration card and, where the state issues one, a title in the mail.

Some states require a physical inspection of the VIN for trailers above a weight threshold, and some require the trailer to be weighed on a certified scale for registration. Ask your agency in advance so you only make one trip.

State fees

Title and registration fees in the state where you register the trailer are handled between you and that state agency. Our listing price is the price of the trailer; delivery, where chosen, is shown separately on your order. We do not provide state-specific fee schedules, because they change and depend on your residence, the trailer's weight and how you register it.

Keeping the paperwork safe

Once the state has the MCO, it keeps it. Until then, the MCO is the only proof that the trailer is yours. Do not leave it in the trailer. Store the bill of sale and a copy of the MCO somewhere separate from the trailer, and photograph the VIN plate for your records.

Buying as a business

If the trailer will be registered to a company, order in the company name and bring the documents your state requires for business registrations, which often include proof of the entity and a signer's authority. The MCO will be assigned to the name on the order, so get that right before checkout.

Summary

New trailer, MCO. Registered trailer, title or registration card depending on the state. AREA TRAILER SALES provides the MCO and bill of sale for the unit you buy; your state agency turns those into a title and registration. Check your state's requirements before the trailer arrives.

Ready to choose a unit? Every listing in /trailers/cargo-trailers, /trailers/dump-trailers, /trailers/enclosed-car-trailers, /trailers/open-car-trailers and /trailers/equipment-trailers shows the VIN on request, or start with /find-my-trailer.