Forum Discussion

d3500ram's avatar
d3500ram
Explorer III
May 12, 2017

How to preserve trailer data placard...?

I am posting this in the TT subforum in hopes of gaining information on a utility trailer. I do not know how the trailer information data placards are made for RV trailers but they might be similar, hence my inquiry here.

I recently purchased a 5x10 utility trailer whose data information is imprinted on a decal of sorts and then applied to the side of the steel on the tongue- see attached images.

How can I best preserve long term this data decal? I was thinking of placing a couple of layers of clear packing tape over it. Not sure if this will hold up over time.

Any suggestions?



  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    May 13, 2017
    Thanks for the tips and advice.

    The clear decal stuff is what I think I will pursue.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2017
    Don't use clear packing tape. It will yellow and wear off over time. And the glue will be impossible to remove with damaging the placard. Instead use some clear decal they use for autos that are behind the wheels and on the edges of doors and door openings. This lasts a long time, doesn't fade and peels off with a little heat leaving no residue. You can buy it from automotive paint supply stores.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2017
    My three ID cards holding up pretty good since 2008...

    I also have the VIN NUMBER stamped into the trailer frame in two places that was done by the manufacture...


    Roy's images

    I took these photos for file back when I got the trailer in 2008...

    Roy Ken
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2017
    mike-s wrote:
    Take a picture. You can always print replacements using outdoor labels, like Avery 15513 or 15516.


    That's what I did (took pics) of all the various labels around my trailer such as the axles, refer, awning, etc., etc. That way I have them preserved and can refer to them at my leisure instead of say crawling under the trailer and trying to read the axle labels that are on the axle tub. Recently, that really helped when I had to replace my awning fabric since the original label had deteriorated to point of being unreadable and was only seen when the awning was fully extended to begin with.

    Larry
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    May 12, 2017
    Buy a can of clear coat spray paint and lay down a couple of coats. Also take a picture and save for future reference if needed.
  • mike-s's avatar
    mike-s
    Explorer
    May 12, 2017
    Take a picture. You can always print replacements using outdoor labels, like Avery 15513 or 15516.
  • Vinman02's avatar
    Vinman02
    Explorer
    May 12, 2017
    I recently bought a used equipment trailer that had been sand blasted and repainted by the seller. All the original decals including that placard had been sandblasted off before repainting. I sent an email to the manufacturer (Load Trail) requesting a new placard. They sent me an affidavit to fill out and once they received it back, sent me a new placard free of charge.
  • afidel's avatar
    afidel
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2017
    Clear gorilla repair tape, the glue is moisture and heat resistant and the tape is UV stable, none of those things would be true with packing tape.

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