VIN is a universal identification number that makes it easy to check the trailer’s manufacturer, specifications, and year of manufacture. The standard has been applied since 1977: it was then that it was invented and used in the USA and Canada. So, where is it usually located on the hind carriage and what’s its purpose?
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How to Decrypt
Usually, when you perform a trailer VIN lookup, search for a sequence of 17 numbers, which are conditionally divided into 3 parts:
- VMI: Three numbers containing hind carriage manufacturer information. Usually, the first one is the geographic area, the second one is the country and the third one might be the car type.
- VDS: six numbers containing data on the parameters of the trailer. It is important to know that the manufacturer himself has the right to determine the VDS, so many decoding options depend on each particular plant.
- VIS: eight numbers that are generated by the manufacturer. Depending on the capabilities and specifics of production, each plant encodes its information in this segment.
Complete decryption of the VIS is often done when the trailer is checked or registered. Today, you can check the VIN yourself: for this purpose, there are many thematic sites, as well as applications for smartphones.
When will it Come in Handy?
- When registering with the traffic police. The fact is that forging papers today does not pose any particular difficulties for scammers, but correcting or even erasing the VIN from a metal frame is not a trivial task, because any such “correction” will be noticeable even to the naked eye.
- When making a contract. The data in the hind carriage PTS must match those indicated on the trailer itself. Sometimes sellers might make mistakes or problems with paperwork occur. So, if you buy a trailer, immediately check the VIN on the frame and in the documents.
- VIN will be useful when buying a trailer. Using this code, you can find out how “rich” the history of the hind carriage was from past owners, in particular, whether it had an accident or whether it was under arrest.
Thus, knowing where the VIN is located on the trailer and being able to decipher it is a very useful skill for any motorhome owner. With it, you’re able not only to find out the whole “inside story” of the trailer but also accurately determine the necessary parameters (how much a light hind carriage weighs, its dimensions, and load capacity).
Where is it Located on the SST Trailer?
The VIN on trailers is usually listed in two places. The VIN of the vehicle itself is stamped on the plate (nameplate), and the body number is stamped directly on the frame. The trailer body number and VIN are the same. Both of these numbers are indicated on the front right side of the hind carriage in the direction of travel.
Depending on the manufacturer and model of the hind carriage, the place of application may vary slightly. Knowing the VIN, you can always pick up the necessary parts yourself, using the original spare parts catalogs. Currently, it is possible to scan and recognize codes using both special scanners and various mobile applications that use a camera. You can also check the VIN code using one of the many online services.
