Trying to find VIN on EZ Loader trailer

jjuriga · #1 06-04-2014, 11:45 AM

So with this new boat I got a 1991 EZ Loader dual axle trailer. For the life of me, I cannot locate the VIN (in order get a replacement title). I searched the entire body of it, even inside the tubing towards the front where most said to look for the stamp... nothing!

Any help would be appreciated!

tsubaki · #2 06-04-2014, 12:53 PM

Sounds like it had a decal tag that has since fallen off.
If it's a break back trailer, it would usually be on the frame on the outside port side of the trailer within a foot of the tongue. If it's a solid trailer it may be there also or in that same vicinity on the tongue within a foot of the frame.
A couple of manufacturers do have a hidden stamped tag somewhere on the trailer but 'm not sure EZ Loader is one of them. I think one of mine has one adjacent to the port tail light.

smokeonthewater · #3 06-04-2014, 12:56 PM

My EZ loaders have the VIN printed on a sticker.... once it's gone it's gone.... You need to title it as an "assembled from parts" trailer... You will need bill of sale for the parts.... Can be one single bill of sale for "trailer parts" You then get a new VIN

Destroyer · #4 06-04-2014, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjuriga

So with this new boat I got a 1991 EZ Loader dual axle trailer. For the life of me, I cannot locate the VIN (in order get a replacement title). I searched the entire body of it, even inside the tubing towards the front where most said to look for the stamp... nothing!

Any help would be appreciated!

I'm sorry to say this, but you're probably sh!t out of luck. For some unknown, unfathomable, completely a$$ine reason trailer makers put the VIN number on their trailers with an adhesive label rather than stamp the numbers into the trailer. That label can fade, be torn off, or simply unattach itself during towing.

(Long ago I learned to take a set of metal stamps (less than $10 from Harbor Freight) and stamp the numbers into the tongue of any trailer I bought. That way they can never be lost).

Usually, when you buy a boat/trailer combo, the previous owner will give you his trailer registration (that shows the VIN number). Unless the PO has that registration it becomes a hassle. You present the registration to your local Motor Vehicle Agency, and they will issue you a new registration in your name for the trailer. (Most states do not title trailers). But if you don't have that old registration, then you have to register your trailer as a homebuilt, get the state police to do an inspection (to make sure it's not stolen) and they will issue a release form to the DMV so they will issue you a new registration. Different states have different procedures, but that's how it's done in the majority of states. Sorry for the bad news. Best thing I can tell you is go back to the person you bought the boat from and see if he has the old registration.

bradford · #5 06-04-2014, 09:28 PM

Try calling ez loader and see if they can help.

I can't tell you how many trailers I've had that flat out didn't have any numbers on them and had been sold/traded by 4 or 5 different previous owners and never registered. Try to have your ducks in a row before talking to "The Law". And most important, "They" do this for a living. Don't think you're gonna think up some new line of BS "They" haven't ever heard before. lol.

scook · #6 06-05-2014, 12:37 AM

You've probably thought of this, but if there's a license plate on it, it can be traced that way. Mine came from California, didn't have the number on it (the sticker fell off) and Oregon assigned a new number and put their own sticker on it.

Destroyer · #7 06-05-2014, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scook

You've probably thought of this, but if there's a license plate on it, it can be traced that way. Mine came from California, didn't have the number on it (the sticker fell off) and Oregon assigned a new number and put their own sticker on it.

New Jersey will not just issue new registration tags. You must bring your trailer to the State Police, and state that you built the trailer yourself. They will fill out a form when they are satisfied that you do not have a stolen trailer, and then the DMV will issue you new tags registering your trailer as a homebuilt. But they don't issue new stickers.

Believe it or not, if there is a license plate on it, the plate might be off another trailer long ago scrapped. Not saying it is, just saying that tons of trailers rot away and are scrapped every year, so people just keep the plates and when they get an untagged/unregistered trailer they put the plate on it and viola... they have a registered trailer. Once the brand name decals have been removed from a trailer, it's just about impossible to tell an EZ Loader from a Venture from a Load Rite from whatever... even the cops can"t tell the difference.

I have a trailer that had no numbers on it. It was from EZ Loader. They were absolutely no help. Their view is that even if you show up at their factory with the trailer in tow, how can you prove you legally own it? My solution was to take a few photos and dimensions of a label on another trailer I owned that I was going to scrap that was a different brand, have a friend that makes signs for a living make me new adhesive signs, and the EZ Loader became a different brand. It is impossible to tell that it's not the new brand, since all the old EZ Loader decals have been removed. My point is, be creative.