How to Check a Trailer VIN Number

Every street legal vehicle or trailer is assigned a Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, at the point of manufacture. This tracking number can be used to look up details like the original factory specs, ownership history, accident and theft histories and more. If you have a trailer and would like to check the VIN, you might have to do a little searching, as there is no standard location for the VIN plate on trailers. Still, this process should only take a few minutes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flashlight (optional)

1. Park the trailer somewhere where you can approach it from all angles, see all of its parts clearly and even stoop down to look at the underside if needed. Take along your flashlight in case you need to look in a dark area.

2. 
   VIN plate

   Check the trailer tongue first, which is the series of metal bars at the front of the trailer that attach to the trailer hitch of a vehicle. This is a convenient and visible location to install a VIN plate, so many trailer manufacturers put it there. It could be on any side or individual bar of the tongue, so look it over thoroughly, even on the underside. A sample VIN plate is pictured.

3. Continue examining the trailer if you did not find the VIN plate on the tongue. Check thick, heavy bars on the frame first, then check the interior of the trailer, followed by the exterior of the trailer. If you still can't find it, look underneath the front and rear ends using a flashlight.

4. Write down the 17-digit VIN once you find it.

5. Call or visit a DMV office near you if you want to look up the ownership history, accident history or theft history of the trailer. Most DMV offices should be able to provide this service, but it is possible that you may be referred to a main office. Depending on the state in which you live, a small fee may be charged for this service.

6. Call or visit a dealership operated by the manufacturer of your trailer if you want specific information on the new factory specifications of your model. Customer policies and the types of information kept on hand at these dealerships will vary from one to the next, so there's no guarantee that they will have the information handy, but the dealer should be able to give you an appropriate contact at the manufacturer if they do not have access to that information at the dealership.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to find the VIN for a trailer that isn't conveniently accessible and you have the title, check the title first. The VIN should be listed.
• Many online VIN checking services like Carfax.com do not supply vehicle reports for trailers. Make sure you know such a service offers trailer histories before paying them for a report.