I am in the "survey" process of a 1994 H26 with trailer. The Problem: Trailer has no visible VIN# or Rating Plate/Sticker. Why this is a problem: In PA, regulation of trailers with brakes is very strict and among other things will not be able to be registered or inspected (required) unless Title paperwork matches trailer info. At the moment there is no way to prove that this trailer is actually the one that the title is representing. Current title is in CA. The question: Have any of you dealt with this issue before? If so, how did you resolve? Also, where is this information on your trailer? It looks like this trailer had a sticker on the driver side of the tongue which is all but completely worn off and no dicernable info. can be read. What I've done so far: I've contacted Hunter Marine and asked if a replacement plate/sticker could be generated (answer is pending, but didn't seem favorable). I've contacted local registration outfit and they did confirm that a match would be necessary for inspection purposes and in the event I was stopped, etc... They further suggested that I leave the trailer titled and registered in CA (I could potentially do this since I have relatives there). Any input any of you may have that could help me here would be greatly appreciated. I want to get out and sail without the worry of bad registration / tile work! Thanking you in advance! -Pat
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VIN Plate
I have a 1995 Hunter 26 and on the driver side there is a metal plate that holds all the VIN numbers and rating. The plate is attached with a couple screws. It look like at some point someone engraved the VIN number into the frame behind the wheels on the driver side. I don't know if this was the factory or it was the previous owner. Jason
I have a 1995 Hunter 26 and on the driver side there is a metal plate that holds all the VIN numbers and rating. The plate is attached with a couple screws. It look like at some point someone engraved the VIN number into the frame behind the wheels on the driver side. I don't know if this was the factory or it was the previous owner. Jason
Have a new plate made
Go to a trophy shop where they have an engraving machine and get them to make a new plate to match the title?
Go to a trophy shop where they have an engraving machine and get them to make a new plate to match the title?
Stamped on trailer frame?
Pat I have a '94 23.5 with a trailer manufactured by Hunter. My Trailer VIN is stamped into the trailer frame. My particular trailer has it stamped on the upward facing frame on the channel beam that angles away from the tongue on the driver side. Sort of on the V part of the frame if that helps any. Most trailers I've seen have the VIN stamped into the frame so that way it becomes permanent record on the trailer and is not suseptable to a sticker peeling or a stamped plate falling off. Scour that frame from front to back and top to bottom and I think you'll find it stamped into the frame. It might be covered with an old sticker or rust or gunk. Good luck.
Pat I have a '94 23.5 with a trailer manufactured by Hunter. My Trailer VIN is stamped into the trailer frame. My particular trailer has it stamped on the upward facing frame on the channel beam that angles away from the tongue on the driver side. Sort of on the V part of the frame if that helps any. Most trailers I've seen have the VIN stamped into the frame so that way it becomes permanent record on the trailer and is not suseptable to a sticker peeling or a stamped plate falling off. Scour that frame from front to back and top to bottom and I think you'll find it stamped into the frame. It might be covered with an old sticker or rust or gunk. Good luck.
PA Harassment
Do not purchase the boat until you have an answer as to the VIN from Hunter and proper documentation!! I once purchased a boat in Maryland and had it registered in Delaware, where I kept it in a marina. Since I do not own property in Delaware, I had to register the trailer in my home state of Pennsylvania. The PA Dept of Revenue conducted a brief campaign of harassment against the seller and me, looking for their 6% PA sales tax. I had to prove to them, with copies marina and storage contracts that it was indeed a 'Delaware boat' before they ceased the harassment. Get ALL of the title information before you consumate the purchase. Those people can be really nasty! Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala LEWES, DELAWARE
Do not purchase the boat until you have an answer as to the VIN from Hunter and proper documentation!! I once purchased a boat in Maryland and had it registered in Delaware, where I kept it in a marina. Since I do not own property in Delaware, I had to register the trailer in my home state of Pennsylvania. The PA Dept of Revenue conducted a brief campaign of harassment against the seller and me, looking for their 6% PA sales tax. I had to prove to them, with copies marina and storage contracts that it was indeed a 'Delaware boat' before they ceased the harassment. Get ALL of the title information before you consumate the purchase. Those people can be really nasty! Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala LEWES, DELAWARE
I also had problems registering my h26 '94 trailer
Don't hold your breath for Hunter, when I called a few years ago, the story I got was that a great flood had wiped out their records. The dealer I bought the boat and trailer from in 2000 (both '94 but probably not shipped together) is a Hunter dealer. He was not sure but thinks that he got the trailer new and it was never registered only used in the yard. Mine was stamped into the left upper foward part of the "A" frame where it bolts onto the tongue. It also has a faded sticker on the side of the left foward part of the "A" frame. A '95 trailer I saw had a metal plate screwed on with the stamped numbers ground out. It was a painful but fruitful process to get it titled and registered in N.Y. Got the weight from Hunter, had to send a photo of the stamped numbers, had to go over the numbers placing paper on them and rubbing a crayon on that, had to get letters from Hunter that their paper work was lost and from the dealer stating that it was never registered. After all that they sent me a title. Not the end as they spelled my name wrong. Called up DMV and the woman told me that 16 digit/letter VINs did not exist. I begged and pleaded, told her that it looked like an area was double stamped and that I could say a specific number was burried in that but she told me "never mind" and reissued the title. I like the idea of engraving the listed VIN. Bottom line, after dealing with the likes of DMV/IRS, keep calling till you get a sympathetic ear and that person will hopefully help. It's also possible to get a VIN assigned, usually calling it homemade, but also somewhat painful. Good luck! alan
Don't hold your breath for Hunter, when I called a few years ago, the story I got was that a great flood had wiped out their records. The dealer I bought the boat and trailer from in 2000 (both '94 but probably not shipped together) is a Hunter dealer. He was not sure but thinks that he got the trailer new and it was never registered only used in the yard. Mine was stamped into the left upper foward part of the "A" frame where it bolts onto the tongue. It also has a faded sticker on the side of the left foward part of the "A" frame. A '95 trailer I saw had a metal plate screwed on with the stamped numbers ground out. It was a painful but fruitful process to get it titled and registered in N.Y. Got the weight from Hunter, had to send a photo of the stamped numbers, had to go over the numbers placing paper on them and rubbing a crayon on that, had to get letters from Hunter that their paper work was lost and from the dealer stating that it was never registered. After all that they sent me a title. Not the end as they spelled my name wrong. Called up DMV and the woman told me that 16 digit/letter VINs did not exist. I begged and pleaded, told her that it looked like an area was double stamped and that I could say a specific number was burried in that but she told me "never mind" and reissued the title. I like the idea of engraving the listed VIN. Bottom line, after dealing with the likes of DMV/IRS, keep calling till you get a sympathetic ear and that person will hopefully help. It's also possible to get a VIN assigned, usually calling it homemade, but also somewhat painful. Good luck! alan
Stamp It Yourself
You can buy punches that are numbers and letters and then place the number on the the trailer that you need. A machine shop could probably do it for you as well. It may be better to do it before you finalize the sale as you are not stamping your own numbers onto your trailer. The trailer was bought with the VIN number stamped on it already when you bought it, just in case they hook you up to a polygraph when they ask the question.
You can buy punches that are numbers and letters and then place the number on the the trailer that you need. A machine shop could probably do it for you as well. It may be better to do it before you finalize the sale as you are not stamping your own numbers onto your trailer. The trailer was bought with the VIN number stamped on it already when you bought it, just in case they hook you up to a polygraph when they ask the question.
UPDATE - H26 Trailer VIN #
I had the broker representing the sale go back and look in the areas thought to have the # and he did confirm a stamped # on the upward facing part of the frame rail near the tongue on the driver side. A bit of a relief, but I am still pursuing a new VIN plate from Hunter as it holds other important info. like the GVW, etc... They are slow in reacting, but now appear to be able to provide a duplicate (time will tell). Thank you all very much for your input and suggestions. I am sure I will have many more questions on various H26 questions should the boat become mine next weekend! Happy sailing! -Pat
I had the broker representing the sale go back and look in the areas thought to have the # and he did confirm a stamped # on the upward facing part of the frame rail near the tongue on the driver side. A bit of a relief, but I am still pursuing a new VIN plate from Hunter as it holds other important info. like the GVW, etc... They are slow in reacting, but now appear to be able to provide a duplicate (time will tell). Thank you all very much for your input and suggestions. I am sure I will have many more questions on various H26 questions should the boat become mine next weekend! Happy sailing! -Pat
Final Update!
Well Hunter came through and sent me a shiny new VIN plate for my trailer (see attached). They were able to pull the original boat file from 10 years ago showing the exact Hull# and Trailer # I reported and made one up ia a few days. I have purchased the boat and I'm looking forward to getting on the water! Now all I have to do is replace the entire brake assembly and all should be well. Thanks to all who responded. I have a feeling I'm going to have lots more questions... -Pat
Well Hunter came through and sent me a shiny new VIN plate for my trailer (see attached). They were able to pull the original boat file from 10 years ago showing the exact Hull# and Trailer # I reported and made one up ia a few days. I have purchased the boat and I'm looking forward to getting on the water! Now all I have to do is replace the entire brake assembly and all should be well. Thanks to all who responded. I have a feeling I'm going to have lots more questions... -Pat
Might I suggest Champion Trailers
Pat, I too have to redo the brake system on my 1994 trailer for my 23.5. Champion Trailers is a trailer supply store here in Louisiana and they ship all over the U.S. They have a complete line of trailer replacement products. Some items of interest to me are the stainless steel brake line replacement kit and the quick disconnect brake hose fitting for extendable trailer tongues. Their website is www.championtrailers.com. I am in no way affiliated with these people but they are well known and very helpful. The stainless steel brake line kit will keep you from ever having to mess with brake lines again. It is not an option for me to go with carbon steel because my brake lines corroded down here on the Gulf of Mexico. Good luck. Jonathan Costello s/v Heeling Powers
Pat, I too have to redo the brake system on my 1994 trailer for my 23.5. Champion Trailers is a trailer supply store here in Louisiana and they ship all over the U.S. They have a complete line of trailer replacement products. Some items of interest to me are the stainless steel brake line replacement kit and the quick disconnect brake hose fitting for extendable trailer tongues. Their website is www.championtrailers.com. I am in no way affiliated with these people but they are well known and very helpful. The stainless steel brake line kit will keep you from ever having to mess with brake lines again. It is not an option for me to go with carbon steel because my brake lines corroded down here on the Gulf of Mexico. Good luck. Jonathan Costello s/v Heeling Powers
That doesn't sound too painful.
Glad Hunter came through for you. With me they were not able to supply the origional bill of sale to find for sure the first owner. So, in 2002 my '94 trailer was titled as new. Hunter was able to give me the wieght and gvw though. On that note, I recall the gvw being about 7200# with a trailer wieght of 1320#. alan
Glad Hunter came through for you. With me they were not able to supply the origional bill of sale to find for sure the first owner. So, in 2002 my '94 trailer was titled as new. Hunter was able to give me the wieght and gvw though. On that note, I recall the gvw being about 7200# with a trailer wieght of 1320#. alan
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