Trailer Vin Location?

oldfielder · #1 03-24-2010, 06:43 PM

So my PIA DMV says I need an "etching" of the trailer vin for the used trailer that came with a skiff I picked up, as I don't have a regi. from the guy. Does anyone know where the heck a trailer company might stamp the vin on a trailer so I can do a pencil rubbing of it.
If I can't find it, I'll have to go the homemade route, but I need to get the boat off of it to get the unladen weight in order to go that route and I'm just not ready to take the boat off right now.
I love my state govt.!

Fr. Frank · #2 03-24-2010, 07:50 PM

Trailer VIN # are stamped into a metal plate or metal decal forward of the axle, usually on the tongue of the trailer near the coupler.

MasterBaiter · #3 03-24-2010, 10:34 PM

The VIN may also be stamped right in the metal. Check the tongue and the side rails (frame rails whatever they are called) near where they meet the tongue. It should be there look hard.

SeaPlusPlus · #4 03-24-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

If I can't find it, I'll have to go the homemade route, but I need to get the boat off of it to get the unladen weight in order to go that route and I'm just not ready to take the boat off right now.
I love my state govt.!

That's the route I had to go as I couldn't find one on mine. When it came to those questions (weight, max load weight, weight with boat, etc) at DMV I informed the lady I didn't know, to which she responded I just need numbers to type into the computer, guesstimated and got a VIN for it.

oldfielder · #5 03-25-2010, 06:59 AM

The way they acted at my dmv you'd think I was registering a handgun. I've looked and all I can find so far is a sticker near the tongue that looks like it may have once had the vin on it. We'll see.

uncleboo · #6 03-25-2010, 08:55 AM

Some states require the number stamped on the axle as well, usually just inside of the spring. I've seen trailer axles with ID plates on them. You might try looking there, unless it's corroded.

bigeasy1 · #7 03-25-2010, 01:26 PM

It should be on the trailers "port side" near the tounge,but most likely has either worn off or missing.For the life of me,I can't figure out why these trailer companies make the cheezy aluminum foil serial number stickers.They never last.

I bought my boat and trailer in NY and had the same problem registering the trailer.
I live in Massachusetts,and My Insurance co,and State DMV both needed a serial number.

Simple solution,I went into my garage cut a piece of 1/8" aluminum into a 3x5" plate and took my letter and number stamps,and made up a long serial number.I came up with the number out of the blue.
I riveted it to the trailer frame.The DMV & Ins.co accepted it.

I said it was a 1985 Shoreline trailer(they're out of business)

oldfielder · #8 03-25-2010, 03:12 PM

There's thought. I have the vin number-they just want an etching. I actually have a copy of the certificate of origin, but the sobs wont take it. Now I just need someone to engrave the numbers into something for me. I never thought of that. So many things to McGuiver with a boat.

asdfhood · #9 03-25-2010, 03:59 PM

I copied this form Classicmako.com, Michigan Dave's postThanks to member Makoboat1 for finding this site, it looks like a awesome way to reproduce those faded HIN and Capacity plates, as well as trailer serial number plates.

http://www.machineplatesonline.com/Home.html

Fr. Frank · #10 03-25-2010, 04:37 PM

The other thing you can do, which I did, is to take a high-resolution digital photo of the serial number plate, showing that it is not possible to get an etching off of it. My Magic Trail metallic decal was illegible from age and scraping against something. I brought my bill of sale, a copy of the previous owner's registration, the digital photo, AND I towed my trailer to the Tag office in case they wanted to inspect it themselves. They were happy with the digital photo and the old registration.

However, I have had one of their brighter employees come out and actually spend an hour with a piece of paper and a pencil trying to get an etching off another trailer plate that no longer had any numbers to etch from. She finally gave up, called the super, who immediately (like 3 seconds flat) said "Just give him the new registration, we ain't got time for all that"