What Is Travel Trailers VIN Numbers?
When the Model Year of Travel Trailers is being made, they have a VIN Number.
This is just like your cars Vehicle Identification Number. The code that starts with 17T or 19T or whatever it may be for that type of trailer denotes the Model Year.
It also contains all the information about what Travel Trailer it is and who built it! Here’s an example below of my 1984 Cougar 5th wheel:
1984 Cougar – Made in California – Serial number 0117T105X174115 – Manufactured by SIMPSON DESIGN BUILDS INC.
Now you might notice this one does not have a Manufacturer Code after the model year part. That is because was made before they started using the Manufacturer Code in 1984.
The manufacturer code for Cougar was a “K.” So, you can see that a 1984 Cougar would have a 17T VIN number and the manufacturer code of K.
So, here’s a list below of what each one means:
17T – Travel Trailer – Manufactured by DOUBLE L MFG CO., GMC BUILDS or SIMPSON DESIGN BUILDS INC. (Manufacturer)
19T – Fifth Wheel – Made By GREY EAGLE MANUFACTURING INC. (Manufacturer)
26T – Park Model/Park Trailer – Manufactured By CEDAR VALLEY TRAILER CORP.(Manufacturer)
Do Travel Trailers Have VIN Numbers?
Have you ever wondered if travel trailers have VIN numbers? The answer is yes! Travel trailers also come with their unique identifiers, usually located on the front of the trailer near the door handle.
Most people are not aware of the fact that travel trailers have VIN numbers. The VIN number is a unique identifier that is used to track vehicles to ensure their safety and quality.
A VIN can be used to identify specific details about your vehicle, such as when it was manufactured or which country it was imported from.
A VIN number can be used as proof that the trailer complies with federal safety standards and was built in compliance with current building codes and regulations.
Travel trailers also require registration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There are many reasons why you should register your trailer, among them being for your protection if it has ever been stolen or broken into.
Another reason may be so that you can get an insurance quote based on how much coverage you want for your trailer if you need to buy it separately from the tow vehicle.
When you purchase a travel trailer, it is important to know if the trailer has a VIN number.
If you are buying from an individual seller, they will likely not have one. If you buy from a dealer or RV manufacturer, they should provide you with one at the time of sale.
As we head into RV season, now’s a great time to talk about these important things!
Related Article: What Is A Decal Number On A Mobile Home?
Where can I find the VIN number on a trailer?
I found mine by looking at the documentation that came with it when I bought it new. So, if you just purchased your travel trailer, look in the paperwork for all required documentation.
If you need to find the VIN number but don’t have any paperwork for it or can’t find anything, here’s how to check:
On Travel Trailers without the Manufacturer seal on the outside of them (like Ford does) then go look under where they stand inside (behind the door usually). If you still can’t see it then check behind all appliances and cabinets.
On RVs with seals like this one – Sometimes there is a code that looks like J4 then 17T then AB – The 17T is your model year and the AB is the Manufacturer Code.
Other places I have found VIN plates are on appliances like refrigerators and water heaters – look for a small white sticker with black lettering (normally).
Related Topic: Where Is The VIN Number For Mobile Home?
Where is the VIN number on a pop-up camper?
The VIN Plate of a pop-up camper is on the Frame – in the center, about 6″ wide. The VIN number can be located by looking through any window that will allow access to the inside of your RV, such as a door or rear compartment.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-digit number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles. It is also used when RVs are sold at dealerships and will usually have an “F” prefix if it’s a travel trailer or fifth wheel.
What if my trailer doesn’t have a VIN number?
This is a question that comes up pretty often, especially if you have an older travel trailer. You may be required to get a VIN inspection or decal to register your travel trailer, so it’s a good idea to look into this before buying one from somebody else.
In most cases, the rough-looking guy down by the freeway has gone through enough trouble to get his trailer registered and licensed. This means he probably took care of any issues with getting a VIN number assigned to it. So either way, it should already have one when you buy it from him but I would still ask anyway.
If you’re thinking about going through all the work of getting a VIN number for your older camper, I’ve seen that there are places to get decals for older RVs before.
If you still can’t find it then contact your local DMV or the NHTSA, they may have a record of it being registered with them even if it doesn’t have one on file yet.
Does a trailer need a VIN plate?
Travel trailers do not require a VIN number; however, if you tow it behind another vehicle you will need to get the trailer registered with the NHTSA.
There are many reasons why you should register your trailer, some of them being for your protection if it has ever been stolen or broken into.
Another reason may be so that you can get an insurance quote based on how much coverage you want for your trailer if you need to buy it separately from the tow vehicle.
A VIN is typically assigned when a travel trailer is manufactured and also when they are imported into America. This information can usually be found in the paperwork associated with your travel trailer.
Also Read: How To Evict A Mobile Home From My Land?
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a new travel trailer, it is not necessary to have a VIN number.
However, if you want to purchase an RV from someone else but still need proof of ownership, then a VIN number will be required.
We hope this article has given you some insight into the topic of VIN numbers for travel trailers.