Trying to register a 1971 Travel Trailer with no VIN.

Trying to register a vehicle from a different state usually requires a vin inspection. On that vintage trailer the vin will be one of two places. Either on the A frame like i said or possibly on the front frame cross piece. More than likely itmis hiding under years and years of paint.

Didn't you get a title when you bought it?

MissGrey wrote:
Trying to figure out how to register our 1971 Terry Travel Trailer. It was last registered in California, sticker on the plate says 2009 but don't know if it's accurate. There is no VIN number anywhere on the trailer. We are not currently in California, which complicates the problem... Anyone have any suggestions??

The paperwork you got with the trailer should have the VIN on it.

Such paperwork should include a Title, or lacking that document, at least a notarized Affidavit of Ownership from the person you bought the trailer from. Absent that paperwork or something like it, I think you'll have an uphill if not imposssible climb ahead.

Check with your insurance agent, they should be able to help you out.

Bare in mind that before 1981 VINs were not standardized and may not remotely resemble a current VIN.
The VIN on my old 1976 MeToo was 11 digits long

Aside from the previous suggestions I can only think of a few more but you've probably already tried them.

An old proof of insurance card.
An old proof of Registration form.
The title (pink slip)

Do you have a Bill of Sale or other for it? You should be able to contact CA DMV, give them the numbers from the old tag and they should be able to give you the VIN#, but you'll have to be able to document that you purchased it. If it was a gift, you'll need a letter from the previous owner stating that it was a gift. Good luck....dealing with DMV is always fun.

You might look for a stamped number on the TT tongue.

Mine has a VIN ID TAG riveted in place on the frame on the drivers side just where the tongue frame ends before going under the trailer.

Looks like this: (I blocked out the VIN NUMBER)


I suspect there will be an actual stamped VIN number into the FRAME somewhere on it but never looked for it.

I had a few places inside my trailer where the VIN number was printed - Inside a cabinet door - listed on documents that came with the trailer etc...

Roy Ken

Vin will be stamped on a frame