Can't Find the VIN Number on the Trailer to Register?

[Cyndivg11]

I just bought a 1972 trillium trailer with plans to restore it.
I have the title. The previous owner does not know where the vin number is. I bought it in NJ, I live in PA. Driving back I got a warning from the PA state police- I have to register it in 10 days. The notary/registration people need me to rub off the vin number on the trailer with pencil. I can't find it. Can anyone tell me where to look?
Thanks,
Cyndi

[Raya]

I know it was (at least on a 1976 Trillium 1300) on a piece of paper on the backside of the closet door. I didn't ever see it anywhere on the frame, although that does not mean it wasn't there somewhere. I had no reason to look since the paper inside the door was clearly original, and no-one asked to see anything else.

I haven't found a number on the Boler frame either, by the by. It's on a "metal" (actually more like a thick foil) plate on the side of the fiberglass shell, and then also on a factory paper label inside the (in this case kitchen) cupboard doors.

I think some people have found numbers on the frame though. Not sure if they're on all the trailers, under the paint, or if only some have them.

Raya

[Ian Harrad]

I just bought a 1972 trillium trailer with plans to restore it.
I have the title. The previous owner does not know where the vin number is. I bought it in NJ, I live in PA. Driving back I got a warning from the PA state police- I have to register it in 10 days. The notary/registration people need me to rub off the vin number on the trailer with pencil. I can't find it. Can anyone tell me where to look?
Thanks,
Cyndi

Hi Cyndi, I have a 78 trillium 4500, I ground down the entire frame and came across the vin. # stamped in to the frame on the tongue of the trailer . On the top side of the frame rail right side looking at the window. could not see it before I took all the paint off. in front of the propane tank holder. hope that helps, but they may have put it on either side . But I'm sure you will find it along the top rail . Ian.

[Cyndivg11]

I know it was (at least on a 1976 Trillium 1300) on a piece of paper on the backside of the closet door. I didn't ever see it anywhere on the frame, although that does not mean it wasn't there somewhere. I had no reason to look since the paper inside the door was clearly original, and no-one asked to see anything else.

I haven't found a number on the Boler frame either, by the by. It's on a "metal" (actually more like a thick foil) plate on the side of the fiberglass shell, and then also on a factory paper label inside the (in this case kitchen) cupboard doors.

I think some people have found numbers on the frame though. Not sure if they're on all the trailers, under the paint, or if only some have them.

Raya

Thanks for the reply- actually Trillium called me back in about 3 minutes after I left a message...they informed me they didn't put them on in 1978- but like you said, there on a piece of paper on the exterior above the left exterior light and inside the closet. I have to fill out a 'special' form, take the trailer to a 'special' inspection station...I think what I'll do is take the form to the State police barracks and show them it's a longer process...maybe they'll give me an extension before they issue me afine. Thanks!

[Ian Harrad]

Thanks for the reply- actually Trillium called me back in about 3 minutes after I left a message...they informed me they didn't put them on in 1978- but like you said, there on a piece of paper on the exterior above the left exterior light and inside the closet. I have to fill out a 'special' form, take the trailer to a 'special' inspection station...I think what I'll do is take the form to the State police barracks and show them it's a longer process...maybe they'll give me an extension before they issue me afine. Thanks!

Hi Cyndi, I know there is one stamped on my frame rail and it is a 78. Its not a plate but stamped into the metal rail as well as the paper inside the closet. Hope all works out for you. You could always stamp your own onto the frame. Its your trailer. Ian.

[Roy in TO]

Cyndi,
Does one of the pieces of paper have the serial #?
If so a picture of that should do the same thing as a pencil trace.
It seems odd that you need to do that all that if you have a title.
Does the title not have the VIN on it?
Back in 78 it probably was not the 13 or so digit numbers they use now.

[Frederick L. Simson]

I haven't found a number on the Boler frame either, by the by. It's on a "metal" ([b]actually more like a thick foil) plate on the side of the fiberglass shell

This is also how Fiber Stream did it. Mine is located beside the front (amber) driver's side running light.
The thick foil was run through a Typewriter to add the numbers before it was applied to the trailer's shell.
17-digit VIN's (Vehicle Identification Numbers) were invented for Travel Trailers in 1980 or 1982.
Previous to that, they were called Serial Numbers and the process was much simpler for the manufacturers.

Since mine did not have a tongue-stamped number, I added this myself.

[Raya]

Since mine did not have a tongue-stamped number, I added this myself.

That's a good idea The foil one on my Boler is almost illegible after all these years, so that would not be a bad idea for me either. How did you go about it? Did you stamp right into the frame? Or on a plate that you then attached? What tools did you use?



Raya

[Donna D.]

Metal stamping tool, cheap solution for putting VIN on the frame: 36 Piece 1/8" Steel Letter/Number Stamping Set

[Frederick L. Simson]

Metal stamping tool, cheap solution for putting VIN on the frame: 36 Piece 1/8" Steel Letter/Number Stamping Set

Yes, My work owns that set, and I used it to stamp the number directly onto the tongue frame.
Use a hammer with some heft to it, a carpenter's hammer is too wimpy.
(Don't ask me how I know this.)

[georgia g]

We have a 73 Trillium and the vin # is on the tongue. Not into the metal but raised and quite large. Even with all the old paint on ours I can see it. Good luck. georgia g

[Georgana D]

Pa is a goofy state in regard to VIN and registration. One Scamp from Mass and one from NJ .
We had to take the trailers to the tag place and they had to come out and visually match the numbers. They were so shallow that we ended up applying for new plates to pop rivet onto the frames. The local police sent out an officer to visually check the numbers again.
It ended up costing a few extra bucks but in the end we have clear VIN #'s.
You may want to consider doing it in case the paper gets damaged.
Good luck,
G