The VIN number for a utility trailer is usually found near the trailer tongue on the frame, however it can be found anywhere on the frame. It could also be on a sticker with the manufacturer’s name and information about the trailer model.
On a trailer, where do you look for the VIN number?
The VIN number can be found on the metal plate or on the Federal certification label for towable recreational vehicles, travel trailers, and fifth wheels. The marking is usually found towards the bottom of the sidewall on the RV’s left front corner (lower roadside).
Utility trailers have how many VIN numbers?
A trailer VIN number, like a vehicle VIN number, is a unique identifier for the trailer. All trailers that are going to be driven on the road must have a 17-digit VIN assigned to them by the NHTSA. Though all vehicles and trailers must have VINs, the information encoded inside those 17 characters differs significantly due to the obvious variations. The breakdown of a common trailer VIN number can be found below, while the breakdown of a car VIN number can be found here.
Because the letters I, O, and Q can be confused with the numerals 0 and 1, they will never appear on a trailer (or vehicle) VIN.
The following is a breakdown of a trailer’s VIN:
World Manufacturer Identifier (1-3)
The firm identity characters, also known as the World Manufacturer Identifier, are found in positions 1-3. (WMI). The trailer’s make and country of manufacture are represented by the first three characters.
The first position identifies the country in which the trailer was built. When position 1 is combined with position 11 (Plant), the real location can be pinpointed to the city and state level.
Unless the third position includes the letter “9,” all of positions 1-3 are used to identify the trailer’s manufacturer (also known as the make). Smaller firms who produce less than 1000 trailers per year and share the WMI with other small manufacturers will always have the number 9 in position 3. It is still conceivable to identify these businesses by their VINs, but it would necessitate a change in the VIN decoding framework. As a result, most trailer VIN decoding software does not support these manufactures.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (4-8)
The Vehicle Descriptor Section, which includes positions 4 through 8, is dedicated to presenting critical trailer parameters. This component varies depending on the manufacturer and kind of trailer, however certain fields, such as trailer type, length, and axle count, are necessary. The following is an example of a vehicle description section:
The characters in positions 4 and 5 are from the trailer product line. The trailer attachment type (ex. kingpin, ball, gooseneck, etc.) and trailer type (platform/flatbed, utility, dump, vehicle carrier, etc.) make up the product line.
The length of the trailer is encoded in positions 6 and 7. Despite the fact that these two characters are usually both numeric (as in the VIN example above), they do not always represent the length (45ft.). Instead, they’re just characters that represent the duration. The trailer will usually have a single length, which will be rounded to the nearest foot in most situations. However, in rare cases, such as a 2009 Wells Cargo utility trailer with a length range of 16-19ft, the manufacturer will include a length range.
The number of axles is stored in position 8. State agencies may use the axle count in tax / registration fee scenarios, or for insurance purposes.
Do utility trailers have vehicle identification numbers (VINs)?
VIN numbers have always been 17 digits long, consisting of both numbers and letters, since 1981. These numbers are listed on a little tag that is normally found on the driver’s side of the dashboard, viewable through the windshield from the outside.
VIN numbers are 11 to 17 characters long on automobiles built before 1981, and they are frequently seen on the driver’s side of the dashboard.
VIN numbers are occasionally discovered in unexpected places, such as:
- on the back side of the door frame on the driver’s side
- normally on the front of the engine block
- beneath the spare tire
The vehicle title, registration card, and insurance paperwork can all be used to locate a VIN number. The real number on the vehicle, on the other hand, is the most crucial and reliable.
VIN numbers are also found on utility trailers, campers, and boat trailers. The VIN tag is frequently seen on the side of the trailer hitch on these vehicles. On RVs, the label is normally located on the driver’s side dashboard, similar to how it is on cars. VIN tags are sometimes discovered within the trailer’s cabinet on travel trailers.
What is the location of VIN numbers?
The most frequent location for a VIN is on the dashboard of your vehicle, precisely at where the dashboard meets the edge of the driver’s side windshield. The VIN is usually fastened to a metal plate and the code displayed so that anyone looking in from the outside may read it.
How can I get a free VIN number check on a trailer?
Before you buy a used automobile, there are a number of sites you can utilize to get a free VIN check.
Simply enter your car’s digits, and these sites will perform a VIN lookup and provide you with vehicle information.
However, to get the entire picture, you should visit more than one of these websites. Continue reading to learn why.
When did VIN numbers begin to appear on trailers?
The first thing to remember is that a serial number is your Vintage Trailer’s VIN. These phrases are interchangeable, and the DMV is having a difficult time dealing with this because they aren’t used to dealing with automobiles this old. They’ll ask for the VIN and expect it to be in a current format, however serial numbers were utilized in older trailers. It’s possible that you’ll have to teach a DMV employee.
Second, some brands, but not all, have intelligence incorporated into their serial numbers. The length of the trailer or the year it was released could be included in the serial number. You’ll see an example of this in the section below. Because the serial numbers on some vintage trailer brands are only sequential numbers, you may have to identify someone with a serial number that is similar to yours to estimate the trailer’s year of manufacture.
You’ll need to look for serial numbers, VINs, marks, equipment makes/manufacturers, and documents to figure out what kind of trailer you have. Here’s a video on how to find VINs on tongues.
On the passenger side, serial numbers are frequently found on the tongue rail. (Usually on top, however it could also be on the driver’s side or on the rail side.) To reveal the numbers, use paint stripper or sand lightly. The first two numbers could be letters that identify your make, followed by the year, length, and production number. Example: Monterey, 1957, 25 number 123, serial number (or VIN number): MR 57 25 123, Monterey, 1957, 25 number 123, Monterey, 1957, 25 number 123, Monterey, 1957, 25 number 123, Monterey, 1957,
It’s also sometimes, but not always, found inside a cabinet or an entry screen door. The VIN number is imprinted on a metal plate that can be found on the trailer tongue, frame rail leading to the hitch, or on a metal portion of the frame.
VINs were first used in the United States in 1954. There was no acknowledged standard for these numbers from 1954 to 1981, therefore different manufacturers utilized different formats. Prior to 1981, the VIN was determined by the manufacturer’s serial number.
This is not a serial number of any kind.
This is the tongue manufacturer’s patent number. Most trailer manufacturers relied on Marvel for a variety of parts. Many people mistakenly believe this is their serial number, however it isn’t.
This is a serial number, and it’s a smart one at that. The first portion, 160, denotes a length of 16’0. Keep an eye out for the punch separator. The second portion is the year’s sequential number. They probably started with 1000 trailers and this is the 25th. The punch separator is used once more. The third portion is the trailer’s year of production, which is 1967. Wouldn’t it be great if every serial number provided this level of detail?
How do you figure out what year a trailer is from?
The serial number is stamped on the A-frame on Ifor Williams, Richardson, and Rice trailers, and it is on top of the right-hand drawbar A-frame on Ifor Williams trailers. Contact the manufacturer or the National Plant & Equipment Register (TER) for trailers produced after 1995 to find out the year of manufacture.
On behalf of owners and insurers, TER maintains an international database that assists police in identifying and recovering stolen equipment.
If you’re looking at a different brand of trailer and can’t find the serial number, phone the manufacturer or TER while standing next to it to find out where it belongs. If you discover it has been removed or tampered with, don’t buy the trailer because it is likely to be stolen and confiscated if the police or an insurance company discovers its true identity.
Why is it that a VIN number isn’t found?
1) It’s possible that you mistyped the VIN. Make sure the VIN you’re using is correct. The VIN can be found on your title/registration documents or on the dashboard or driver’s side door jamb of the car. 2) There’s a chance you typed in an invalid VIN.
How does the VIN number appear?
A VIN is made up of 17 characters (including digits and capital letters) that serve as the vehicle’s unique identity. The VIN (vehicle identification number) shows the car’s unique features, specifications, and manufacturer. Recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts, and insurance coverage can all be tracked using the VIN.
A VIN number has how many digits?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began enforcing uniform vehicle identification numbers (VINs) for all road vehicles in 1954.
The VIN is sometimes misunderstood as a collection of random digits and letters. These characters, on the other hand, are highly structured codes with their own meaning. Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) are made up of 17 characters and are used on vehicles from 1981 to the present (letters and numbers). The length and format of previous VINs differed by vehicle.
The VIN is usually located on the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel, at the lower-left quadrant. By gazing through the windshield on the driver’s side of the vehicle, you can read the number.
The VIN can also be found in the following places:
- The engine block’s front. By opening the hood and gazing at the front of the engine, you should be able to detect this.
- The windshield washer fluid container is located towards the front of the car frame.
- Wheel well in the back. Attempt to gaze directly over the tire by gazing up.
- Inside the doorjamb on the driver’s side. Open the door and look beneath it for the side-view mirror, which would be hidden if the door were closed.
- Doorpost on the driver’s side. Look near the spot where the door latches, not too far from the seatbelt return, when you open the door.
- The spare tire is hidden beneath it.
The VIN’s first character identifies the nation in which the car was built. VINs with the numbers 1, 4, and 5 are made in the United States. The vehicle manufacturer uses the third number or letter to designate the type of vehicle it is: car, truck, bus, and so on. The model year is indicated by the VIN’s tenth character.
Here’s an illustration of what a VIN means: