Escort trailer parts VIN

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Skip584

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I am looking for parts for my trailer. It is a 88 escort?, I have found a couple of places that handle parts for them, but they keep asking me in reference to my VIN tag that is not completely ledgable. I can read most of it. Does anyone have the break down, as to what the VIN numbers and letters are in reference to. My trailer shop needs my VIN which is incomplete, I am hoping that if I can figure out the VIN I can work with my local trailer shop, since it is close by. I also will need a vin to register my trailer. Any Ideas??? I figured if I had the first part of the vin tag number, I could use my SSN or such for the serial #. I have tried to figure out who makes Escort trailers and how to contact them, but have not had any luck. HELP!! I'm a newbie and can use the direction. My boat is a 1988 bayliner, I didn't know if escort was their own inhouse brand of trailer or if they were made by someone else. I see a lot of them under Bayliners. I tried to contact bayliner to find out, they kind of gave me the run around and acted like they didn't want to mess with someone with a 20yr old boat. I'll remember that when I decide to purchase a new one, but untill then I need a little advice.
 

Silvertip

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Boat trailer parts are rarely unique except for the frame. Springs, tires, rollers, brackets, wheels, bearings, couplers, brakes, lights are available at most farm stores, on-line here on iBoats, Northern Tool, Champion Trailer, and dozens of others. Even Wal-Mart has bearings, wheels, tires, lights, etc. What, specifically are you looking for?

As for the VIN number, didn't you get a title from whomever you bought the trailer from? If the VIN number is stamped into the frame, place a piece of thin paper over it and rub it with a lead pencil. The numbers should appear unless they have been totally "worn??" away. If it appears they were ground off, you are probably own a stolen trailer. If the numbers are on a printed tag you are probably out of luck.
 

tommays

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I have a 1995 escort and the VIN is the reg number

20tra13a.gif


As far as parts you can forget about it they are only and OEM trailer builder and i have been down to my dealer with part numbers and everything is NLA


I just find a stock part that is close and work from there as i have NEVER SEEN any trailer maker have SPECIAL parts around after 20 years


Tommays
 

Skip584

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I received a bill of sale on the trailer. In Ohio they do not title trailers so none was provided. The tag is still present and most of the numbers are visable, but after 19 years of being dunked they are faded and hard to read. I am still required to register it here and it is hard to make out the first 5 or so numbers/letters. I was hopeing that escort used a simple VIN such as automobiles do. In reference to axle, tire size, length,finish, width, dom, manf.site, etc. My local trailer shop says they have a source for old escort trailer parts, I have heard that parts are NLA but they claim to have a source, but need my VIN?? I don't know, Any body have the first part of a VIN for a 1988 or am I shooting in the dark?
 

Bondo

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

or am I shooting in the dark?

Ayuh,........ That pretty much sums it Up........

What about the Last Registration,..??..??.... The VIN Should be on It.....

What kind of Parts are you needing,..??..??......
As noted above,.....Parts is Parts,.... It's got little or Nothing to do with Escort............
 

Skip584

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Apprently the last owner made up his own number, probably as in a homemade trailer. It is not a homemade trailer and in our state can not be registered as such. Since it is a manufactured trailer I was told to contact the manufacturer about re-issuing it a vin. Escort is no longer and they wont register it as a homemade trailer. Can you say "rock and a hard place". I need the first few digits of the vin.
 

Coors

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

It was registered in his state, and accepted, therefore, that number is valid.Contact that state for the full number.(you have his name).
 

Bondo

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Apprently the last owner made up his own number, probably as in a homemade trailer. It is not a homemade trailer and in our state can not be registered as such.

Ayuh,........
While All the states Say That,.......... That Doesn't make it So..........

Trailers are So Basic, that with alittle Creativity on Your Part,.......
It Can be a Home-Made trailer......
Or,......
As Coors says,........
Go back to the P/O,+ Use what He Used Sucessfully........
 

sayre05

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Hello,

I was lucky and got a trailer that was registered in Ca and could not read the number but the Ca DMV gave me the full VIN. he are the first 405115BA
 

batateam

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

If the VIN number is stamped into the frame, place a piece of thin paper over it and rub it with a lead pencil. The numbers should appear unless they have been totally "worn??" away.
 

NYBo

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I have an '88 Escort trailer. What model Bayliner do you have?
 

reelfishin

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Parts for those trailers are pretty much non existent since they were from what was then US Marine. I just went through fixing up one for a buddy of mine. It needed all the suspension hardware, including springs, new rollers and all of the U bolts. The rollers were available from Yates, nothing special, the U bolts were an odd size, so I had to have those bent custom at a spring shop, and I simply matched the length and weight as best I could on the springs and used generic hardware. The bow stop set up on those is what can be an issue if they're not being used on the model they came with. They offer very little adjust ability.

They also tend to use odd axle lengths, which I found out on a few other trailers.
 

Bondo

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

April 20th, 2007, 12:30 PM

Ayuh,...

Considering this thread is 2 Years Old,....

I'd think the OP has probably figured out his Problem.....
 

atomb

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I know this is a real old thread but i have the exact same trailer and part # 39 has rusted out does anyone know what product I can purchase to replace that piece -thanks for any replies.
 

BAproject

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I have a '91 escort trailer with the same issue. The trailer came with the boat and the tag has warn clean! I need the VIN or I cannot register the trailer....

has anyone figured out a better way to find this number or track it down?

I did some other reading and someone made mention of putting a black light on the sticker and the numbers may show up....has anyone tried this and does it work?

-BAproject
 

iluvfish2

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

For what its worth, I've having the same issues (all identification info on the tag is long been bleached off), however at least for Michigan, I can get the trailer registered and licensed once I have the dry weight since I already know the year and length. Downside, pretty much want an empty trailer. So I get to play the go to the launch, have wife sit in boat, run trailer to truck stop (or anywhere else that may have a certified scale - dump, scrap yard, etc), then go back get the boat, then bring it home, to go back to the Secretary of State. Total PITA, and oh so "gray area" as far as legal issues go, but with my boat registration and a hand written note from the SOS stating I need the weight of the trailer, as long as I'm not speeding, I'm pretty much ok after a 5 min conversation with the Constable if he/she shows up.
 

jonesg

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I had an escort trailer, put it on the side of the road with a free sign, it was gone in 10 minutes.
Bought an EZ loader for $500, end of problems.
 

Mark42

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

I am very impressed with the Escort trailer under my 85 Bayliner. It fits perfect, it should, its custom made for it. And it is much heavier construction than the new Load Rite I bought 4 years ago for the other boat. And the Escort is WIDE and LOW. Two very important design considerations when buying a trailer. Makes it tow and launch great.

If you can't find parts for that trailer, you are not shopping at the right retailers. I can even still find the OEM tail lights if I need them.

My Escort still has the OEM manufacturers name and address label on it. If you can wait until the weekend, I can get it for you.
 

BAproject

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Mark42,

Any information youcan give on this trailer would be great. I don't know if our's are a match but right now all I know is that it's a 20' escort trailer.

What sites are you finding OEM parts on....any help would be greatly appreciated!

-BAproject
 

Mark42

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Re: Escort trailer parts VIN

Mark42,

Any information youcan give on this trailer would be great. I don't know if our's are a match but right now all I know is that it's a 20' escort trailer.

What sites are you finding OEM parts on....any help would be greatly appreciated!

-BAproject


Escort trailers are made by:

Calkins trailers, Phone 509-228-9510

Calkins Manufacturing Co
3108 E. Ferry Ave.
Spokane, WA 99202.

If you do a search on Calkins trailers, you will find they are still in business, and I found a recent patent application for a sailboat trailer.

All the running gear on the trailer is just "off the shelf" stuff. Axles, Springs, Coupler, Winch, and lights are all available from any trailer supply. Places like Champion Trailer http://www.championtrailers.com/
and e-trailer.com http://www.trailerpart.com/ will carry everything you need to maintian your trailer.

Calkins just bends up the frame tubing, and stamps a few pieces like the metal fenders and some bracing. Everything else is available from trailer supply retailers like l listed above.
 
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