Where is my trailer VIN?

[Hamstersailer]

Help! I bought a 1976 Catalina 22 on it's original trailer. I believe it is a Trailrite of the same year. It's license plate is gone and I don't lnow where to look for the VIN number. The boat has clear title and, as I said, is on it's original trailer, so I'm sure the lost title is can be verified and replaced. I just don't know how or where to start.

 

[decktosser]

Usually. On the left side of the tongue about where your winch stand connects. May have been painted over.

 

[jfrench]

Not all trailers have VIN numbers. Also, state laws on registering trailers are often more relaxed than for registering motor vehicles. If you have a title or previous owner registration card, look on there for a VIN. If you find the number, write it on the trailer with an engraving tool or have it put on a metal placard at a trophy shop and pop rivet that onto the trailer. Finally, a call to your DMV or a look at their web site will get you up to speed on registration rules in your State.

 

[castrojormar]

I also need to register mine, I still have it registered with the last owners name, he sent me an email with an attachment of the renewal notice but I slack on that and haven't done it yet.

 

[Richie50]

Registering a trailer in New York that does not have a VIN is tricky. The biggest hurdle I went through was proving the weight of the trailer. DMV recommend a scrap yard as they would give you a weigh receipt, you just have to have you Cat in the water at the time. In NY they considered my no name trailer a "home made" trailer.

 

[OldCat]

Help! I bought a 1976 Catalina 22 on it's original trailer. I believe it is a Trailrite of the same year. It's license plate is gone and I don't lnow where to look for the VIN number. The boat has clear title and, as I said, is on it's original trailer, so I'm sure the lost title is can be verified and replaced. I just don't know how or where to start.

You are on the coast, so your regulations may be tough. Still, I'd ask your reg folks what you can do.

I had the same problem on my small boat trailer (not the C22). CO requires a vin or parts receipts for a home made trailer. At the time that I did it, they were not doing inspections or paying attention to GVW ratings. I bought a vin number at Harbor Freight - not such a bad expense for me since I needed some of the more expensive parts in the kit to restore the trailer anyway.

OC