Easy Steps to ID your Trailer!
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- Have you recently bought a trailer or already own one? If so, I’m glad you’re here! Trailers are an easy target for thieves and many times they are never recovered after they are stolen. I made this video to show you my easy steps ID your trailer. By the end of this video you will know how to Stamp, Engrave or discretely mark your trailers, just in case they would ever be taken.
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A cop once told me the best way to mark your tools, etc. is to scribe your driver's license number on it if a cop is suspicious of a person or the stuff he has, it's an easy thing for him to run the DL# and get your name and address. A thief would have an interesting time explaining that, and the cop has proof of ownership!
That would work if you aren't worried about your number being out there. It is also a good idea to use the same number to mark all your other equipment and tools. That way the Police can enter all the items under the same number. Thanks for the tip and for watching!
Hide a Tracking device…one in the boat, one on the trailer.
Good way to advertise your I’d to @ny would be perpetrator of identity theft
@@John.Mann.1941 either scramble the numbers or backwards the numbers or last three or four digits like credit cards bills or date of birth or your house number or alphabet your numbers.
If you have small stamps or the underside marked how do you get access to it in someone's driveway to even see if it is yours. A tip may be to find a way to slightly modify the trailer so you can ID it from a distance. Drill a hole on an upright, Hack saw some notches in a brace just so you can detect it is your trailer without going onto someone else's property. You can also use these marks to potentially identify it in a For Sale Listing and rule it out as your before going to see it. Chad Good info and thanks for your efforts in the video!
Great point! Making modifications to both the under carriage and exterior can be very effective. I would always recommend that everyone should reach out to the local authorities before walking onto someone’s property or even if you find it on market place or Craigslist. Show the Police your pictures if you took any and let them check it out. Thank you for bringing this up and thanks for watching!
Super Sharp! Ty for sharing
good idea....my fenders have rust holes in them....not eaten up, but definitely identifiable for a mile away.
if you have a wood deck, the blood splatter from the shotgun blast into the last would-be trailer thief makes a pretty unique pattern that stains the wood. Just take a photo and reload.
Also chalk outline of the body on the floor as well
@@geraldross967 😂🤣😂
@@thebluelunarmonkey Love the way you and Gerald think. 😂
Lmao
Or Reload 1st... then take the photo lol
Wow! I am so impressed by your trailer thief’s acting skills! V professional and obviously athletic.
It’s was like they already knew how to do it!
I added a coupler on my wiring harness using mil spec connectors. It is a 4' cable, I simply lock it in the house, or truck if I'm out camping. A trailer without taillights is more apt to be pulled over.
That's a great idea! Anything that draws attention to it can't hurt. Thanks for sharing!
Good tips Chad...BTW..when my car hauler was stolen the 2nd time the thieves repainted it. The police knew that a stolen trailer was painted but I had not discovered it or reported it until it was too late. Funny thing is they got caught because they got stuck on my property after a rain storm and called a wreckerto pull them out and stiffed the towing company... but my trailer was long gone by the time everything was discovered.. and I did have insurance on it... it's not expensive... a rider on your auto policy for 10-20 bucks (milage may vary)... but to add insult to injury...my shitty insurance Co. ( liberty mutual) only gave me about a third of what it was worth...I had it insured for what a new trailer would cost... funny video 😄 appreciate the humor..
Thanks for the comments and mentioning the insurance info! It’s probably worth it if insurance companies take care of their customers! Thank you for watching!
Right.. Liberty is all nice and sweet while collecting your $ .. I quit them too.
Thanks Chad we are in the process of stamping the serial numbers on different parts of the trailer. We bought the equipment you recommended. And Chad remember Safety first my friend. We are grateful to you and your knowledge of it. Adventurous Boricuas camping enthusiasts from Colorado
Seems like I’m a tad accident prone lately!! Stamping those numbers is an excellent way to mark them. Most will never know all the places you stamped it. Keep up the great work and stay safe out there!!
You can sign your name with your welder, that is hard to grind off. I usually customize everything in some way. I usually document everything on RUclips, could easily show details of my trailers in video form. Thanks for the tips.
Great tip buddy! I need to bring mine to you. My welding skills aren’t so hot! Maybe I could get my initials!
I think stamping the info is best and my thought has been to do that in several place and to even photograph the stampings in case they are ground off. Its highly unlikely someone would grind in all the same places and nobody could make an excuse to grind on an aluminum trailer. The sad fact is the cops don't care about the theft of anything. They have become report takers and nothing more. The only way you'll ever recover a stolen trailer is if the cops tripped over it or if you saw it going down the road yourself.
I agree! Marking them in several places where only you know about them can make the difference! Hopefully it would be recovered and the courts would prosecute. Hopefully!! Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching!
Satellite tracking
Awesome video Chad! Love what you did here.... very informative and entertaining!
I appreciate that Miguel! I hope we can all learn tips from each other to keep our property safe. Thanks for commenting and for watching!
Last trailer I built I machined the vin number on every part before it was welded together.
Good work! That would take a lot of time to grind all of those off and it really should stand out! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your info and handy tools. I put my plasticized business card under the screwed in planks and the bar. You cannot see it, but when you remove the plank, you find it. also good for doing the vin number there. I have painted my trailer in the same golden golden color as my towing truck. Greetings
Neat tips! I like that you make your trailers stand out from the rest. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you...dont know how I stumbled unto your video we are 1st time trailer owners and will implement steps to secure and identify it
Wash the bottom side of the trailer, that way you reduce the amount of dirt that packs into your head wound.
Note: I have a trailer that uses self-drilling tek screws to hold the decking - so, the underside is half an iron maiden.
Dad always said “rub a little dirt on it and you’ll be fine!” He lied!
A few yrs ago I bought a brand new Big Tex, it is a custom special ordered trailer that’s a 6 x 12 tandem axle with electric brakes. A standard Big Tex off the lot that’s a 6 x12 is a single axle with no brakes. I have taken some precautions as far as double locking the hitch but I will take actions to both ID this trailer and add additional security, probably a log chained to a huge pine tree in my yard. . Thanks for the tips!
You bet Dave! I am a big fan Big Tex trailers! Hopefully some of these work for you. There has been a lot of great tips listed in the comments in all 3 of my videos in this series. Best of luck to you and thanks for watching!
Just bought a new work trailer and oddly stumbled on your trailer video tips. I'm listening, thanks!
Awesome! I hope some of the tips help you out! I appreciate the comment and thank you for watching! Good luck!
When I bought my little utility trailer, it had serious scuffs on the fenders (brand new). I happened to have some purple Rust-Oleum that I use to mark my tools, so I painted the fenders purple. I told my husband it was less likely to get stolen. He kept razzing me about the purple trailer, that he won't use it like that, so I was going to repaint the fenders black. Not now, after seeing your video. Hahahaha! I did put locks on it to as suggested in your other video.
I like it! You can tell him, it’s a lot easier to find in a Home Depot parking lot that way too. I’m a fan of purple, so that wouldn’t hurt my feelings! You guys stay safe and thanks for watching!
I like the stamp idea, thanks.👍
You bet! Thanks for watching!
Used a regular prick punch to punch DL # into frame (took awhile) and axle then took pics and loaded to cloud service.
Awesome! That extra time up front could make a huge difference in the long run just in case. The pictures are great evidence to recover and even prosecute! Keep up the good work and thanks for watching!
Great video! Very helpful!
Thanks Brad!
Adding large vinyl numbers and/or letters to the top of vertical surfaces of cargo trailers makes them easy to spot from a distance and proves to be a pain to remove. I put them on the nose, sides, and rear door. After they have been on while even peeling them off will leave shadows. Could work as a bit of a deterrent.
Heck yeah! Makes it stand out and adds more work for the thief if they want to try and conceal or sell it! Thanks for sharing!
Transparent UV Reactive Paint, it can only be seen with a uv light or laser. You could identify your trailer from the street.
I would have never thought of that one! These outside the box ideas are great!
You can burn the vin into the wood floor on the under side. Another thing is take detailed pictures of any damage. Upgraded or stickers on it as well as if it is a boat trailer but your hin on it as well
All great tips! The photos are great evidence, especially if their is any distinguishing marks or damage like you said! Thanks for reaching out!
Excellent!
Thank you!
i love the idea of just painting on the trailer. it makes it "stand out" and very much "different" and the more area you have "oddly painted" the less the thief can do with it. ideally.
Right now I have another tab open on my browser with my Lowe's shopping cart with a gallon of bright pink exterior acrylic paint LOL. I have not yet seen a pink car hauler trailer yet, so it will be mine. PSA: If anyone sees a pink car transport trailer for sale, it's stolen and it's mine. :)
I totally agree! You won’t ever forget where you parked when you come out of the store either!
I just happened to see your videos pop up as random suggestions, so I watched them. I have a new license plate on my trailer and I stamped my old plate number into the A frame. My safety chains are in a loop, not two separate chains. So when the trailer is on the car, I run a chain through the loop and around the towbar and padlock it. I drive a 1982 Mitsubishi L300 van the the towbar is a round pipe bolted to the car, so easy to loop the chain around it. Trailer theft here in Australia isn't the problem that your have there. All the best from Queensland Australia.
Great tips Bruce! I’m glad to hear theft isn’t a big problem down there. It’s neat to see the videos reach out that far! I appreciate you sharing and watching!
Nice tips! Also, I loved your intro with the theft! It was super corny and funny. (Corny in a good way) =)
Thank you! Gotta keep it fun! Really that’s about the only way I can get the better 1/2 on camera! I appreciate the comments and thanks for watching!
Great tips!
I appreciate it!
More importantly you want to modify your trailer so YOU can quickly ID it or the cops if they are looking for it. Do stuff that's not obvious. Then take a pic and note of it. Also you can hide GPS locators on it now so it can be tracked.
Lock it up good several ways too. People steal trailers like crazy now.
All great tips! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!
Hahahah …you’re funny. Great video! Peace and Blessings
Gotta have a little fun! Stay safe out there and thanks for watching!
Yeah, I’ve added our initials for our ranch on our hay buggy. Just took a ‘smaller’ drill bit and etched the letters into the angle iron..THEN painted. Simple…
Simple, effective and didn't cost you anything! Good job!
@@C10TruckNerd . Yeah, UNLESS you might someday down the road sell it, whatever “it” is..you don’t have to be discreet..BUT you better make sure. ME, I put it where IF you’re looking for it you’ll see it, but doesn’t stand out necessarily. Great topic..suubbed.
Very good ideas.
I appreciate it! Thank you for watching!
Steel stamps and a custom cut piece of galvanized steel plate was what I used. The Galvanized steel piece was a weight removed from an indoor electric radio scanner, after 30 years the scanner was no good & dismantled for disposal & the steel plate was removed. Because the plate is galvanized it will never rust. I cut it to fit just below the top on angle iron front beam, stamped the year, make and VIN number on it as well as the GVWR. Secured it to the angle iron with pop rivets and painted unstamped areas black to match the trailer, only the stamped areas are visible.
One of a kind for sure! Neat way to recycle an old good piece of steel! Good work!
Galvanized does rust, it just takes time.
My tool trailer is pretty custom and I have pictures of me building it so I'm probably OK. Also I wrap a chain through my tire and wrap the axel but I don't worry about scratching the paint
I definitely like when they don’t blend in with everything else out there. Maybe add a few more hidden marks down below next time you service it. I appreciate you reaching out and thanks for watching!
This was good information.
I appreciate it! Stay safe out there!
On a enclosed trailer you could add a plate attached to the top of the trailer with chains that will fly off the top of the trailer & hang on the back when moving at highway speed with "CALL 911 STOLEN" & your cell # in small letters or your lic # so the police know who to contact.
That’s great! That would draw a ton of attention going down the road!
Somebody mentioned about stamping their license plate that was for the trailer onto the trailer, why not take your old license plate Fold It insert it into the frame in a designated area. That way if it's ever stolen you can tell them where your old license plate may be
I like it!
Very Very. GOOD! I never. Thought all of what. you should do , thanks I will be doing that. on my new trailer
Thank you Tim and I hope it helps! Stay safe out there and thanks for watching!
I have seen putting a chain through holes in the wheels & around the spring / axel.
You bet! I tried that with my utility trailer but the wheels have small holes instead of spokes. I would only be able to get a small chain through the hole. Bigger spoked wheels would work much better. Thanks for commenting and watching!
I weld nuts under trailer in so kinda form and paint. Also use the stamps and burn the Vin under the trailers wooden deck
Good stuff! Keep it up!
Great job. I learned a significant amount. Off-subject, you remind me of a thinner Gary Busey.
Thank you! I hope it was the young Gary, not the mug shot Gary! Lol
I would stamp Vin# on scrap pieces of thin metal (hacksaw blade pieces) and fasten them with a screw to the underneath of the frame in different places.
I like this tip!
I always engrave my drivers license number on things. Got a bike back once that way.
Engraving, stamping or some type of markings in several places is a great idea for sure. Someone mentioned marking all of your tools and other equipment all the same that way its easier for you to remember and the police have all the items under one number as well. Thanks for reaching out!
I also make custom mods to mine that makes it easy to identify
I like the mods! Definitely makes it easier to ID just in case it does get taken! Thanks for commenting and thank you for watching!
Great video. I utilized some of the steps in your video about securing a travel trailer, and I certainly need to take it a step further. I was giving some thought to planting an AirTag on my trailer. Is that something you’ve thought about?
Good deal! Yes I would def recommend a tracker. I have heard several praise AirTags so far.
I did the same thing lol I have it in a waterproof case I got off of Amazon
Apply clear fingernail polish over Sharpie lettering ... prevents wash offs, and harder to scratch off.
Besides VIN, use unique to you info, like last #s of SSN, House address, Last of phone # etc..
Buy / hide tracker add ons like "Tile" or Apple & replace battery every year.
Great tips! My wife will love me stealing her nail polish again! Whaaat?
Thanks for mentioning replacing the batteries on the tracker periodically. They are worthless if they can’t track. I appreciate your time!
@@C10TruckNerd yur welcome !
I meant to suggest battery changes, the same time as your home smoke detectors… makes sense I hope 👍
I have a plasma table I cut the vin number on a plate and weld it on trailer I have done all my buddies trailers too
That’s a cool way to cut a VIN! I bet your buddies appreciated that. Thanks for sharing!
GPS tracker on the backside of the wood floor so it can reach the satellites. When you come out of home depot you can provide the tracking info or just invest in a LowJack system.
Great tip! I am newer to the trackers but am really pleased with them so far!
Use a apple air tag. Use a ty strap or bolt it down to an inconspicuous place on the trailer. Anytime the trailer goes by a wifi signal or open source internet connection the air tag will return a bounced signal to the system cloud. When you go to the air tag cloud and search for the trailer, it will report where it has been and the last location. Note the air tag could have reported its location within 50-100 feet of where it is hidden.
Excellent tip! These are so much cheaper than the gps tracks that come with a monthly fee!
+1 from one lefty to another 😁
Alright!!
You can also use a welder to "write" on it in a inconspicuous place.
I like this idea as well!
Always with the blood on this channel !
Right? It’s been a while! Hopefully it stays that way.
Its a bloody good show, old boy!
@@billyhorton5779
Thanks Billy! I am definitely a guy who is always current on my tetanus shots!
I have a small utility trailer that I built while I worked in a steel fabrication shop. It is 4x6 with 12 inch wheels and a square axel. There is only one like it in the USA that was built at the time. I took pictures of it from sides and even the special suppenion it has. had it parked in a storage lot for a few years.
I took the tires off which were new and put empty rims on so it couldn't be towed it had a big 18 painted on the side also. I now problems of anybody messing with it.
was asked where I bought it to get one like it.
They were surprised it was made by me.
Sounds like an awesome trailer Willard. Great job being proactive! Might want to get that trailer appraised just in case since there is nothing to compare it to. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
I can't remember a trailer I've ever had that wasn't customized to death. Every time I need my trailer to hold something else, a shovel, a rake Etc... I just added a new holster for it somewhere that won't get in the way of the rest of the trailer use. My current trailer is a harbor freight 4 by 8 but it's probably the only one with Under The Deck ramps, solar power, and running water.👷😎🤗
Also, I did the unique color of paint thing. One of my clients had some leftover Peach after painting his house.
A friend of mine has trailers with reflective tape on it. He puts little red dots in the red colored reflective tape.
Something that blends in, but stands out if you know what you are looking for! Thanks for reaching out!
Hey Chad good ideas but the Sharpies don’t stand up over time to the elements so it’s better to do the Engraving or Stamping IMO i have also found that making your trailer a little more difficult than the other ones to steal like Good locks or hardened Chains etc the thieves will go to another one to steal sure Locks are only detergents but sometimes that’s all you need ? i’ve owned over 25 trailers in my life of all different styles and types
Good to know Craig! It’s always good to hear what is working out there! You’re right! Hopefully a few layers of protection are enough to deter them to the next one. I appreciate you sharing and thanks for watching!
It won't prevent theft, but an Apple AirTag might get that trailer back. To hide it, get one of the weatherproof bike mounts that look like the base of a bottle cage. Black and installed out of sight, the thieves aren't likely to notice it. Just don't installed it where the signal will be surrounded by metal.
Excellent tip!
On Ontario, you are not required to specifically insure your trailer, but they all have ownership (pink slip) which is required to plate the trailer. So you should take precautions, but it's unlikely that your trailer will be resold and more likely it will be recovered.
I don't think that's a bad thing (pink slip or tags) either! Like you say, its less likely to be resold the traditional way. Thanks for sharing!
I subscribed ✌
I appreciate it!
I bought a travel trailer and didn't like the quality of the factory paint job on the frame. I painted the entire frame, bumper and tongue with a navy blue paint. Two birds with one stone: Slows down the rust, and makes it easily identifiable even from a distance. Few if any thieves would take the time to paint it black again, and there will always be traces of blue visible underneath.
Outstanding!
I got a 24ft enclosed car hauler, and the roof of mine has a distinguishing mark that one one could notice. Its abnormal, but would most likely not be noticed by a thief, and it it was, wouldn't arouse suspicion. The idea is that not only could I show that it was mine with that (although not the only way) I could spot it with a drone if it was being hidden, and it wouldn't likely be covered as they would have no known reason to cover it.
Good tip!
my trailer is more than likely the only one in existence with an '82 VW Rabbit suspension and since there is no other like it I would take pics of it including lic plate, overkill is a good thing in this case. I built it from scratch so it doesn't have a vin #, now that I have seen this video I'm going to get out my number punches and put my DL# on there starting at the front of the bed and space them out about 3 or 4 feet apart in places you can't see unless you know where to look. I've had it for over 30 years and no one has lusted after it enough to steal it yet but you never know
Sound pretty dang cool to me! Being proactive can't hurt! I appreciate you sharing and watching! Stay safe out there!
Tip: Don't use orange or green marking paint to make identifying marks on a trailer. These paints are formulated to NOT be durable or permanent and they'll soon fade or wear off whatever they're marking!!
Good tip! Thanks
If you use a screw make sure to bend the tips to make it hard to remove.
Good tip!
You must Stamp numbers into the steel.
You bet!
Wouldn't it be better to use a dead blow hammer with the serial number punches? Just curious because I'm about to perform this test on my trailer soon.
I would definitely agree with you on this one. I had no clue where mine was when I cut this video. I went ahead and bought another hoping I would find the old one. Still MIA!
After I thwarted 3 attempts to steal my trailer, I bought 2 gallons of bright pink paint. If it didn't move it was slathered pink. That with 3 physical deterrents has kept it in place for a couple years now.
Heck yeah! You will never forget where you parked it!
If pink is a bit much, use painting tape to give the trailer zebra stripes, alternating two contrasting colors. That'll make it stand out enough to deter thieves and make it easy to spot.
another good tip is to take some photgraphs of your trailer next to your property, write your details on it
LAMINATE it and slide it well up into the box section of the frame.
If anyone disputes ownership you get a long wire with a hooked end and retreive the proof its yours.
Et wallah...job done.
Good stuff! Hadn’t thought about doing that. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
Et voilà! Thanks for the great idea!
How about using a tracking tag that you can locate with a phone or laptop? Hide the tag it well, check the battery and ability to locate it monthly.
Great tip! A tracker won’t help if they are dead. Thanks for reaching out!
Use 12V from the trailer as an alternative power supply for the tracking device. That way you'll get occasional readings even when the battery is dead.
Better yet, make the battery rechargeable from 12V.
Thanks for all this helpful info. Quick question. Can a homemade wooden frame trailer be titled and licensed as a rule?
You’re welcome and I hope it helped! In KS you can get a VIN applied by the Highway Patrol on a homemade that way you can apply for a title. Here you don’t need a title or tags unless the trailer and the load upon it weights over 2,000 lbs. with that being said. You can still title it. Hope that made sense.
Yes it does! Thank you so much!
@@marshacowan1252 Anytime!
4:00 "...on the front tongue." You didn't want us to become confused with the back tongue? 😉
Dang it! I didn’t even know I said that! Haha! It won’t be the last dumb thing I say! Thanks for watching!
Funny intro.
Thanks! I try to keep it fun. Thanks for watching!
I always personalize mine, winches, hold downs and braces and stuff then pictures
All good stuff! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!
Trailers without a VIN# need a VIN# issued by the state. My trailer manufacturer welded the last 6 of the VIN# into one of the cross members on the underside of the trailer. The thief would have to remove the cross member to remove the VIN#. I had to modify my trailer. No other trailer has that mod and that mod can easily be seen from a distance. A heavy grade 70 or higher chain run through both wheels and locked can deter all but the most determind thief. Keeps them from towing it off or removing your custom wheels.
Good stuff Dan! A lot of these box store trailers don’t have much other than a sticker and those get weathered pretty quick around here. Hopefully we can add more homemade marks and like you said, get an official VIN added. Keep up the good work and stay safe!
Hide a AirTag or two in the frame or a light. Seal it in with a weld.
Great tips!
Good idea for a modern solution but be careful not to fully encase it in metal or it won’t work, the metal will block the radio signal
Another way I've made a Lockup device,,Take a 2x2",,,,,18" long,,weld it to a6x6 flat plate,,and weld 2x2 channel iron on other end,with ball attached lock cuplin with pad lock,,,Now you have a lock device and a stand too!
The reason of the channel cross piece then they can't undo the nut,,Can't get socket in,,
That is great! I love the homemade stuff! There is no videos out there to show how to defeat them! Thanks for sharing your idea!
Man, you go the distance to injure yourself and draw blood making these videos, I think I can find the energy (its tough though) to click the thumbs up! I'm not fully convinced enough to subscribe, I'll have to witness more self mutilation and gore for that!
Haha! Keep watching! The way I do projects, it won’t take long to do it again! I appreciate your time and take care!
Hold the punch with pliers or vise grips.
I agree with you! I will smash a finger if I don’t. Thank you for watching!
Good tips. Can we send a first aid kit?
Don't feel too bad, I cut myself on something most days when working at a salvage yard.
Haha. Step 11- keep a first aide kit in the truck! Sounds like you and I won’t ever behind on our tetanus shots! You be careful and thanks for watching!
A cheapo wood-burning pen would be useful to deep burning the VIN onto the underside of the wood deck.
That's a good idea! Thanks for sharing!
Weld the first and last two numbers on your frame
Excellent tip! Not going to get those off!
Remove a tire or both and leave it low enough for a jack to slide under. Thief prefers a quick getaway unless they are desperate. Couple padlocks on coupler and chain can help slow them down too.
All good tips! Thanks for sharing and watching!
This is the method used by street maintenance and construction industry.. most have three or four point jacks to keep the equipment trailer upright and level with the wheels removed.
My trailer has ID numbers WELDED onto it. Just fire up the MIG welder, and test out your writing skills! Put the ID number in a location that would be hard to access with a grinder - like on the INside of the C-channel My trailer is built with the ID numbers welded in 2" tall characters on the inside surface of the tongue, on one of the crossmembers, and also on the axle tubes.
Outstanding! That’s way better skills than I have, but I will try it out for sure! Appreciate the tip!
What state are you in that does not require a title or plates on the trailer? Thanks….Jim
PS…..when a Policeman stops you how do you prove ownership? What’s an MSO?
I'm in Kansas. You can chose to tag it if you wish, but not required under 2K lbs. There is no proof of ownership other than a title, bill of sale or MSO (manufactures statement of orgin).
good video! why do you hold your hands together?
I think I was praying no one knew how nervous I was!
He says not to use screws to secure a VIN plate to the trailer, use rivets. Because anyone with a screwdriver can remove the screws.
And anyone with a portable drill can quickly drill out the rivets. Likewise anyone with a hammer and punch or screwdriver can remove a rivet.
The best solution is to remove the trailer paint where the VIN plate will be mounted, drill the holes for rivets or screws. Put some metal bonding glue on the back of the VIN plate, then mount it and either rivet or screw.
If someone removes the screws or rivets they will then need to put a bit of work to remove the VIN plate.
If they are lazy and just grind off the VIN, hopefully that would raise questions.
If they grind off the VIN plate or otherwise remove it there will be missing paint. Unless the trailer is new or been stored inside the trailer paint will have faded. This will make it difficult to match the paint. Hopefully someone buying the trailer would ask "why did you repaint this VIN plate sized section on the tongue?"
In Washington State a trailer without a VIN is required to be inspected by the Sheriff prior to a new VIN being assigned. I would hope that the inspector would question such things.
The biggest issue is that a "professional trailer thief" would likely have access to trailer VINs from totaled trailers. They can the buy a VIN plate and use a VIN from a similar trailer that was totaled.
Great points!
We bought a Dutton Lainson motorcycle trailer and can't find the vin number. It was an estate sale and the owner is deceased.
You might check with your local highway patrol or trailer company and see if they can help you with a hidden vin if it has one. If not most DMV can point you in the right direction to apply for a new title or vin. Good luck!
Every man should have a set of metal punches, just punch something unique into 4 or more different places.
You said it!
Painting the whole trailer bright orange would deter any thief from taking it (my guess) but I just like the color lol
I agree. You’ll never forget where you parked your blaze orange trailer in a parking lot! Stay safe out there!
I’ve had several different types of trailers, how do you not get a title, that has a VIN ?
Weird right? If you buy one new here that is under 2,000 lbs you get a MSO since we don't require titles. You could apply for one if you want to tag it, but we don't require tags either!
@@C10TruckNerd that is weird, still think it’s crazy to not opt for the title
If you're going to even bother to add paint sand the substrate first so the paint actually sticks.. Otherwise you're wasting time. The paint will peel off.
Great tip!
👍
Thanks!
How about the obvious one, post a RUclips video of what trailer looks like and how you use it👍
That one I could do!
I put a apple tag on trailer & A wheel lock
Both excellent ideas!
You could hide an Apple Airtag on it somewhere and change the battery on it every year or two as it dies. Then you could track it when it is gone.🐾
I like this tip!
How can you get a VIN for a homebuilt trailer?
In KS you can take it to the Highway Patrol to be inspected and they can put a KS assigned VIN on it.
NJ assignes a VIN and that gets u a title, plus a registration and tag. Trailer is insured for liability only when it's attached to a vehicle. Theft insurance is a rider, or separate policy.
Now that you have ID you trailer you need to fix the flat tire on you early 70’s Chevy truck!
You said it! I wish that’s all it needed!
for numbering was told to put a drivers license number on it, Its the only ID number that can be checked globally .
I hadn’t heard of this before. Thank you for your time!
weld # in frame
I like this tip! Thanks
Step #1 - FIND WHERE THE MANUFACTURER PUT THE VIN NUMBER!!!!
18 years ago, I bought a used 4' x 8' utility trailer made by Carry ON-Trailer according to stickers on the tongue: that had a plywood box built onto it by the previous owner, dude had the VIN Number on the PAPERWORK, and the DMV accepted that all these years.
Well, the Running Lights failed this year, so I looked at the BULBS and the rust around them - yup, time to rewire and change the light fixtures out for LED ones.
So, I took the old rotted-out plywood off, put the trailer up on jack stands, and removed the wheels (one was flat) thinking while at it I might as well grease the wheel bearings too, and sand some rust off, and give her a nice new paint job (Rustoleum rust covering primer and black Rustoleum paint - brush on), rewired and new LED lights on, and one more nice esthetics improvement - get new manufacturer's Warning and LOGO labels for the tongue.
So, I contact the trailer's manufacturer (Carry On-Trailer: many sold at Lowes and Home Depot), and they want the VIN Number before they'll send me new stickers. So, I give them the VIN number on the DMV paperwork, and they tell me it was incorrect, and that I need to look at the VIN Number on the trailer:
Hmmmm,,,,I can't find one! Supposed to be back by the License Ple/driver's side - nothing! Any suggestions where it might exactly be?
I did find a rusted-over welded onto the axel, a plate with the Axel manufacturer's name, City, and Serial Number; and none of the information stamped on the Tongue near the hitching point is the VIN.
Making me wonder if I've unknowingly have had a stolen trailer for the last 18 years?
I'm going to see if they can cross reference the AXEL's serial Number and come up with the trailer's VIN number that way.
So, I came across this Video seeking help with finding the VIN Number's location on my trailer!
I apologize for the delayed response! For some reason the comment went to my reviewed account and I didn't see it! Mine is also a Carry On and there is no number stamped on it anywhere other than the one I put on it. I was fortunate enough that my sticker was still legible when I bought it used. I have no clue why manufactures don't stamp them on these small trailers. It's almost an open invitation to be stolen. I'll let know if I find out any new info.
I tried punching numbers into my chassis rail
I barely made a dent and now my knuckles are broken
Please advise
Are they bouncing around on you or just not penetrating the metal? Some frames I have to use the chisel or punch holder and use the mini sledge.
@@C10TruckNerd ..... I just used my fists ...... ?
🤪🤪🤪
I welded a plate to the inside of my “C” channel frame that had the year I was born welded on it. It was welded far enough back you can’t see it. That along with a GPS tracker and I know I’m going to get it back. My buddy takes off all but one lug nut on one wheel. How many thieves bring lug nuts with them? When he needs his trailer he reinstalls the lug nuts with a cordless impact gun. One big thing. A lot of insurance companies DO NOT cover your trailer. This includes your home owners and vehicle insurance. You have to have separate insurance just for your trailer.
I think welding that plate on is excellent! Your buddies tip with removing the lugs is a good one too!! That’s good to know about insurance coverage as well. I appreciate your comments and thank you for watching!
In Texas, it has to be hooked to your insured vehicle and then it's covered. The alternative is to add a "rider" to your vehicle or homeowners insurance. The cost is very reasonable.
@@mlaw207 that’s true in Pennsylvania too however your insurance carrier might now cover the trailer even if it is being towed by an insured vehicle. It’s best to check with your insurance carrier to make sure your trailer is covered.
I'm in Texas, and according to the insurance company that I use, they'll cover accidents involving the trailer as long as the trailer is hooked to the towing vehicle. If the trailer becomes unhooked, and continues on it's way, any damage while unhooked is not covered, unless the trailer is insured seperately. So what about theft? I don't know, I didn't ask, but theft usually covers the vehicle itself, and the contents thereof... the trailer isn't the tow vehicle, nor is it contained inside the tow vehicle... so I'm guessing no? Remember, while insurance companies aren't in the business of paying out claims. They'll look though the fine print to find any clause that will support them denying a claim. So if you absolutely need theft coverage for your trailer, go ahead and pay the extra premium.
Our trailer is covered on our homeowners policy.