got a new trailer, now for another question

so a few weeks ago I bought a hudson trailer, 18ft by 77in wide 2ft beaver tail rated for 10k. It's a little narrow but should get the job done, I went to get it inspected and was told I need a new vin plate. first I was told I could get it from the notary, so I called them and they told me to fill out a form and take it to the state police and they will issue me one, called the police office and they had no idea what I was talking about told me I need to go to penndot. so now I have no idea how to get this handled, the lady at the police office told me they didn't cover my county and I would have to call the office that did, I checked online and it said they did cover my county so again I don't know what to do. any advice? I'd like to start using my trailer soon

Wow, they've taken the VIN off of it? That don't sound good.

I built one in TN and had to get it inspected in order to get it titled, wound up with the DOT. For a small fee I was on the list for inspections, and when they got to it, there was a Highway Patrolman there to inspect it, and he drove a VIN into the frame right there on the spot.

Can you go to the sheriff? That is where I go to get VIN #'s for home made trailers. SD and WY may be different than PA. Like Bear, mine is engraved on the frame on the spot.

Perhaps move to another state, it seems to be just too confusing for the local/state gov. types.

The title has a vin but there is no vin plate on the trailer?
You tried to do it the correct way,
Now this is how I would do it
Go to a trophy making place and have them engrave the vin on a piece of steel, long enough that you can drill a hole on each end and attach / rivet to the tongue of the trailer
Before you attach it to the trailer, whack it with a hammer a couple times and maybe a little paint overspray, same color as the trailer, to give it that "used" look
Dump some water every day on the installed tag for a week to get a little rust started
Take to a different inspection station then you did the first time
DONE!

Do the VIN plates simply fall off? get scrunched? Is this a common occurence on trailers? Why would a trailer need a new one?

Hate to say this John, but that certainly looks like the makings of a possibly less than legitimate operation there ; )

As long as the description on the title matches the trailer, I wouldn't have a problem doing it.

Title plate was missing from my trailer about 2 years ago and I went back to the manufacturer and cost about $60.00 for a new plate

The other option in Ma would be forget about the title and just register the trailer as being home made
So they know how much to hit you for taxes They (DMV) want to see a receipt for the materials
Easy enough to get if you have another project you are working on

The trailer didn't look like this did it? LOL

Sounds like who you talk to doesn't know so they just give you a line of crap that sounds good and send you away.

Being from pa myself and looking to get my own trailer, ive done some research on it, you can take it to an enhanced vehicle inspection station and try to get it registered as homemade or as johnc4x4 said just get a vin plate made since you already have a title. Another thought is make sure the trailer matches the title in other ways, i.e. rated for the weight and same make. Just to be sure did you go over it with a fine tooth comb to be sure it isnt hiding under some paint somewhere? Were you able to locate where it may have been located on the trailer?

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Originally Posted by JohnC4X4

The title has a vin but there is no vin plate on the trailer?
You tried to do it the correct way,
Now this is how I would do it

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if the OP is complete, as to what he's tried, he stopped just shy of doing it the correct way, since the last stated recommendation directed him to the PennDOT, which is where he should be going next, or more accurately, where he should have gone first. A Google search for "missing trailer VIN plate PA" returned on page 1, result 7, a link to the necessary form, MV-41, and how to submit it.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://w...goYCUJWnLB0Q1Q
You'll need to follow the instructions for Block 2

John, the methods you are suggesting are at best attempts at avoiding the proper legal process, and could easily be used on much less than legal operations. I would recommend against posting such methods on a public forum

Bring it to Michigan and get a permanent plate for it. Much less hassle.

Ok to clear son things up the trailer I have is the same one as the title, the vin plate that's on it it's rusted and you can't read anything on it. I know I have to fill that form out in order to get a new one but you're saying I should call penndot? I thought about contacting the manufacturer but wasn't sure if they would help me out

On that form it says part has to be filled out by a police officer. Can any officer do that or does it have to be a stater?

it merely says police officer bd72, I'd guess any. I think with your case they won't linger on filling it out. If they found a missing plate or other missing links they might want to run a check, but I'm thinking a rusted plate with no other missing links wouldn't be cause for concern

Block C says "Local or State". I'd fill in the number and reason "Other" - "Rusted"

Also if it's stamped into the plate you might be able to wire brush it back to see the numbers, but at this late date, I'd merely take a brush along, and make that attempt only after the officer has seen it as is

I would just get a new plate made and put it on there.
Here in ky i had to the same thing.I just told them i built it filled out the paperwork and sent it in and a few weeks later i had a new vin and title.

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Originally Posted by Focker

I would just get a new plate made and put it on there.

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That is the direction I would go
Since you are replacing something that was already there
Not seeing where it would be a problem.

wheres the pics?

You all should move to Florida. All titles and registrations are handled at the tax collectors office. Hand them the paperwork and the fees and "slam bamm thank you mamm" done deal. No inspection needed.

how did you match the title with the vin tag when you bought it then?

My VIN is stamped into the steel on the tongue angle AND on the drivers side steel that the fender is welded too. It is a bit worn from over the years- you really have to look for it.. but mine is there- maybe a little more hunting and you could find the VIN?

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Originally Posted by happyscraper

You all should move to Florida. All titles and registrations are handled at the tax collectors office. Hand them the paperwork and the fees and "slam bamm thank you mamm" done deal. No inspection needed.

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or maybe Oklahoma. After the time. trouble, and worry of getting my homemade trailer inspected, titled, and tagged in TN, for a move across 3 states, I got settled in here, then went to get the title transferred and the trailer tagged, they wouldn't do it! "But maam, I'd like it titled and tagged here", "but sir, we don't do that here, they just drive em!." I still carry a title from TN with my truck papers from OK, and have the TN tag flipped over, and occasionally use a Marker to scribble my truck tag # on it, after the weather's wore it off once again

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Originally Posted by sledge42

My VIN is stamped into the steel on the tongue angle AND on the drivers side steel that the fender is welded too. It is a bit worn from over the years- you really have to look for it.. but mine is there- maybe a little more hunting and you could find the VIN?

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The trooper who stamped mine told me that even in cases where the number's been removed with a grinder they could put some acids on there and still read it

A local trailer builder welds a thick bead onto their trailer frames for a VIN. Feed it a Snicker's, that VIN ain't going anywhere for awhile.

All I know is I bought a Hudson trailer and have a Hudson title, the guy I got it from only had this trailer so I took his word for it

Worst ones are the plastic tags that disappear after a few years of exposure. I've had the same problem with semi tractors missing the VIN tag, paid Volvo $130 to get a new one once. My trailer tag is not legible but there is a steel plate with the VIN stamped in 1/2" characters welded to the trailer tongue. I gotta hope that's OK if I get stopped for anything.

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Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Bring it to Michigan and get a permanent plate for it. Much less hassle.

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I thought they quit doing the permanent trailer plate as the state was losing money.

just get another plate made up or get a sticker with the vin and gvwr rating on it and put that on there.

http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...pswoqdtqba.jpg

Since I dont think I put a picture up yet heres my trailer that I paid 1600 for and after I sold what was on it, it basically cost me 1075. Not too bad if you ask me, and I was able to squeeze a truck on there which is good news

BAM Bigdog- working that badboy out too! WHOOT!

Haha thats what I thought too but it looks heavier then it was only about 3000lbs total haha I was a little bummed

In Florida you have to go to a public scale weigh the trailer and bring the weight ticket to the motor vehicle than you register it as a home made trailer and you get your registration. Nice and easy.