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In Search of the Illusive Vintage Travel Trailer VIN

Category: RV Advice

Question: Do travel trailers have a VIN number and if so where is it located?  I have a 1976 Blazon Elite 27′.  I found a number on a little plaque that says it being a qualified camper with electric, heating and water.  There was a number 1052351.  Is that the number that the DMV needs so I can get a plate for the camper?  Thank you. B.

Answer: Dear B. Travel Trailers do have VIN numbers but there was no standard regarding where they were put back in the 70′s or how they were applied.

Over the decades, paper trails get lost, surfaces get painted over and/or metal rusts. I have had people write in that they virtually went over every inch of their vintage RV searching for the VIN, practically with a microscope, without success.

Sometimes old RVs sit unused for years and it’s hard to get them legally back on the road but if you’re just going to put it in a camping club, a Trip Permit will legally get you there.

In my state, the place to take the problem is the Department of Licensing (DOL) but that’s pretty iffy. I use one in a very small town. It’s connected to an insurance agency. She’s (it’s a one-gal show) patient and knowledgeable and is not afraid to contact the State to ask questions. I have found that the employees in large offices are often, but not always, disinterested in time-consuming issues like “orphan” (no longer being manufactured) travel trailer issues. Blessings, Luise

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4 Comments »

Comment by S.

June 27, 2009 @ 6:57 am

No one can answer my question where is the VIN number located on a 1985 terry travel trailer. S.

Comment by Luise

June 27, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

Hi, That’s because the placing of the VIN wasn’t standardized. It’s a search and hope process. Some are stamped into the frame and then painted or rusted over. Some are on labels long lost. Some are never found. I sure hope that’s not the case for you. Blessings, Luise

Comment by J.

September 23, 2009 @ 2:42 pm

We have been going through the same problem over an old travel trailer we were restoring. finally got to talk with a gentlemen who sold them in the 70′s. said to look on the top of the tongue of the camper.Most likely no. was stamped into the metal but covered by rust, paint, etc . we scraped and wire brushed ours all the way down and there she was. Some states did not require a camper to be titled before 1968/ dont know about yours. good luck. J.

Comment by Randy

June 11, 2010 @ 12:18 am

Question: Whats my 1959 16′ Cardinal Deluxe worth? How can I get it appraised? Is this the best place online for this info? …….. Thank you! Randy

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