Trying to register a 1971 Travel Trailer with no VIN.

IN NY you would register it has a "Homemade" trailer. You would receive a non-transferable registration and no title. It would have to be inspected and weighed. I did it once with an undocumented boat trailer that I bought used.
Maybe CA is similar?

On a vehicle that old, there's no standard convention for what the VIN configuration must be. In 1981, there was a standardization that required all VINS to be 17 characters. Not the case prior to 1981. So looking for something 17 characters may be futile; VIN on that old a vehicle could be only 5-10 characters, and could be all numbers.

ALL vehicles regardless of when they were made have a hidden VIN somewhere on the vehicle. The so-called "police" or "chop shop" VINs. In addition to some of the previous suggestions, check with either your local police department or your state police/highway patrol. Many law enforcement agencies will have officers who are trained "truck inspectors", the officers who like to get down and dirty when inspecting commercial tractor trailer rigs. These are the ones who will know or can find out where the hidden VINs are.

I too once had one that was registered as a 1969 homemade camper. I don't think it was homemade but, as long as the cops didn't care I didn't either.

Went thru the same thing a few years back. Take the trailer to your local CHP office that does vehicle inspections. Problem solved in a bout an hour.

I had a pickup bed trailer once that I registered with the CA DMV. Naturally it had no VIN, so the DMV provided me with a sticker for identification and that was referenced in the paperwork. I would think you could contact the CA DMV with whatever documents you have and get your info.

You may be looking for a short serial number and not a modern VIN. I have a 1971 Compact Jr made in Chatsworth, CA and it has a one letter and four digit serial number. Good luck.

CKNSLS wrote:
There is a VIN on the frame somewhere. It left the factory with a VIN. It's either on the frame under rust/paint-or a worse case scenario is the trailer is stolen and the VIN was filed off! (Only kidding-I think!) If you don't have a VIN good luck getting it registered.

That really depends on a lot of factors..

When and where the unit was ORIGINALLY sold.

Back in the 70's it may be possible that the trailer did not have a stamped VIN or serial number. It could have been a little metal plate which would have been riveted to the body of the trailer or the tongue.

It could have been a plastic sticker stuck on the aluminum siding (many which faded, cracked and often eventually came unglued over the years)..

Some states back then never ever issued titles to trailers and the manufacturer was not required to put a VIN on it..

Many possibilities..

The only recourse you might have is to attempt to get a new title issued or trying to get it titled as a custom home built trailer..

Many states make getting titles a rather difficult, time consuming and expensive process.. One really should make darn sure that the trailer they are buying HAS a CLEAR REAL TITLE before any money exchanges..

I would suggest CAREFULLY REMOVING all the paint off the ENTIRE tongue, typically on the drivers side is pretty much the spot where the VIN number could be stamped into the steel. But you have to be careful that the VIN isn't a sticker under the paint..

There is a VIN on the frame somewhere. It left the factory with a VIN. It's either on the frame under rust/paint-or a worse case scenario is the trailer is stolen and the VIN was filed off! (Only kidding-I think!) If you don't have a VIN good luck getting it registered.

Hate to say it but, here in MN you would be doomed. If you can find a friendly cop (and that's asking for a lot) you can have the plates run and write down the name and address of the previous owner. Once you have that you will have to get them to send in for a duplicate title. If there dead you will need a copy of there death certificate. Then , oh heck, I don't know after that. I've seen people junk out perfectly good cars worth 1000's of dollars just because it's too hard to get a title here. Hope you have more luck. Ask your insurance agent and they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Is the O.P. trying to register it somewhere other than their home State of California (as indicated by avatar)?

Without the proper paperwork, I think being unable to find the VIN on the trailer will be the least of their problems if so.