Do you have to let the repo guy in your yard to take the property?

Well, that's a matter of interpretation. The lender has the right in most states to self-help in recovering secured property. In the vast majority of matters, the borrower signed a right to cure, or there was a right to cure clause in the loan contract. This is your permission as the borrower for the lender to send someone to pick up your vehicle when you default on the contract. When you are one day late with your payment, you defaulted on the contract.

You can refuse to turn over the vehicle, but in many states you can be arrested for hindering a lender in recovery. Even in those states that do not have these laws, the lender can secure a replevin that orders you to surrender the vehicle. In the event you refuse to honor a replevin, you go to jail for contempt of court.

I guess it depends more on how much difficulty you want in your life. Think about too what you would want to happen if you loaned something to someone and they did not return it.