My camper does not have a VIN, just a 5 or 6 digit number from the Lance factory. DMV does not record this number nor do they recognize it for ID purpose. I will bet there is no data base of factory assigned build numbers that could be checked for stolen campers.
When I bought my camper, (I call it having my wits about me) but I checked out the persons home, in my case it was a large home on acreage, his story for selling seemed to jive with everything I saw at his house. I googled his name, he popped up with his address and other family things. He seems straight up and my internal radar didn't go off... so we bought the camper.
The other thing in my case the guy selling the camper had paper work from when it was new and receipts, I felt pretty safe that it was not stolen.
I will say that after selling a vehicle on Craigslist the world (at least the world in my area) be dam crazy and pretty stupid. I would say reassuring your self its not stolen is a smart good thing, and taking every precaution is prudent. Even to the point of being very picky about every part of the transaction.
You pays your money and you take your chances
