Need some Help

[TechSgt]

So I am a first time boat owner. I purchased a boat and trailer from a family friend and need some help with a trailer. The boat is likely from the early 2000s. Based on the Pennsylvania Hull ID. But the trailer I cant find the vin number anywhere and the gentlemens whose boat this is has been dead for quite a few years. His wife doesnt believe he ever had a license plate on this trailer. Can anyone give me a lead as to what kinda trailer I have and where to located the VIN. I was told there should be a permanent plate but I see no rivets or any sort of screw holes.

And I should add I do believe this trailer is a tilting trailer which I dont know If I should keep it a tilt or weld it solid.

 

[jimmbo]

Welcome to iboats
Here is a Link to a List of Trailer Makers, and other things

Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

 

[TechSgt]

Welcome to iboats
Here is a Link to a List of Trailer Makers, and other things

Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

Its very strange my hull id shows it as a "Pennsylvania Homemade Boat builders. But its aluminum. Im so confused.

 

[440roadrunner]

I'm no help, but I have two old Easy Loaders (made locally in the Spokane area) and NObody has found even a hint of VIN or any other label or stamping on those trailers. I've had both overhead on my lift when I was moving the rear axles, etc. All I can say is get under, flashlight, look all around under, sides of frame front to rear, both "inside" and "outside" of frame. Look for "an outline" where something was removed, rivet holes, etc

 

[TechSgt]

Yeah If I have to go through the process of making this trailer as a home made trailer. Im not buy a new trailer for a $5 boat. LOL.

 

[JimS123]

Some states allow an unknown trailer to be titled as "home made". No biggie, just fill out a form. Check with your local DMV.

Based on the pic, it looks older than 2000.

They don't make tilt trailers any more (at least haven't seen one in years). It's too bad too, since they were better than sliced bread. Wish I still had one.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Some states allow an unknown trailer to be titled as "home made". No biggie, just fill out a form. Check with your local DMV.

Based on the pic, it looks older than 2000.

They don't make tilt trailers any more (at least haven't seen one in years). It's too bad too, since they were better than sliced bread. Wish I still had one.

Not that easy in Pa. You need to jump through hoops. Been down that road.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/BMV/BMV%20Fact%20Sheets/fs-spconstveh.pdf

 

[TechSgt]

Not that easy in Pa. You need to jump through hoops. Been down that road.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/BMV/BMV%20Fact%20Sheets/fs-spconstveh.pdf

Im just gonna use my cargo trailer plate. Not like theyre gonna check.

 

[roscoe]

They don't make tilt trailers any more (at least haven't seen one in years). It's too bad too, since they were better than sliced bread. Wish I still had one.

Continental Trailers

Aluminum Trailers, Jet Ski Trailers, Pontoon trailers and Skiff Trailers. Huge stock ready for delivery. Order today Order motorcycle trailers, ATV trailers and toy haulers from 900 to 2800 lbs. Call now

www.continentaltrailers.com

and then there are these:

MYCO Trailers LLC

 

[TechSgt]

Continental Trailers

Aluminum Trailers, Jet Ski Trailers, Pontoon trailers and Skiff Trailers. Huge stock ready for delivery. Order today Order motorcycle trailers, ATV trailers and toy haulers from 900 to 2800 lbs. Call now

www.continentaltrailers.com

and then there are these:

MYCO Trailers LLC

As much as id just buy a new trailer with all the great new features. I paid $5 for the boat and trailer. Hence why Im not trying to go over the top with my trailer choice.

 

[jbcurt00]

Its very strange my hull id shows it as a "Pennsylvania Homemade Boat builders. But its aluminum. Im so confused.

That's typical of a boat w no official factory issued HIN, yours is definitely pre 1973, not sometime in the 2000s.

PA created that # at some point when the boat was sold, probably sometime in the 2000s, and issued it. Homemade is the work around to make it legally titled/registered w the created HIN.

 

[TechSgt]

That's typical of a boat w no official factory issued HIN, yours is definitely pre 1973, not sometime in the 2000s.

PA created that # at some point when the boat was sold, probably sometime in the 2000s, and issued it. Homemade is the work around to make it legally titled/registered w the created HIN.

Thank You. thats good to know. I will be sending off the renewal of the registration Friday morning. Now to find out who makes the trailer and see if I can located the vin tag. Ill be taking the trailer and boat to my buddies house for cleaning and light coat of paint. I need to remove some stuff the previous owner added in like huge 6x6 blocks of wood. And new seats.

 

[Scott06]

Im just gonna use my cargo trailer plate. Not like theyre gonna check.

this is the easiest solution. For years I used the tag off my dads sailboat trailer never had an issue.

Also agree that boat is a lot older than 2000's before you invest a bunch of time did you check it for leaks? Older riveted boats tend to leak and can be a pita to fix

 

[TechSgt]

this is the easiest solution. For years I used the tag off my dads sailboat trailer never had an issue.

Also agree that boat is a lot older than 2000's before you invest a bunch of time did you check it for leaks? Older riveted boats tend to leak and can be a pita to fix

I need to do a few things to check. Regardless I think where the boat is at currently the lady I got the boat from has no hose outside to even fill the boat with any sort of water to see if it leaks. And I work at a Metal Fabrication shop. We can always fix aluminum. So im not 100% concerned about any patch work that may need to be done.

 

[JimS123]

As much as id just buy a new trailer with all the great new features. I paid $5 for the boat and trailer. Hence why Im not trying to go over the top with my trailer choice.

Once I said the same thing. Why buy a lousy launch ramp sticker for $35 when I might only use it once or twice a year. Besides, they never check anyway.

One day they did. The ticket was $100. If I had only bought the sticker I could have saved 65 bucks...

Using a plate off another trailer. That could be a downfall as well. One labor day the police were doing random stops. Just so happened I was pulling the boat and got picked. They not only checked the papers, but serial numbers as well. And this was out in east podunct....

As Harry once said: "are ya feelin lucky?"

 

[TechSgt]

Once I said the same thing. Why buy a lousy launch ramp sticker for $35 when I might only use it once or twice a year. Besides, they never check anyway.

One day they did. The ticket was $100. If I had only bought the sticker I could have saved 65 bucks...

Using a plate off another trailer. That could be a downfall as well. One labor day the police were doing random stops. Just so happened I was pulling the boat and got picked. They not only checked the papers, but serial numbers as well. And this was out in east podunct....

As Harry once said: "are ya feelin lucky?"

Well I got it sorted. Found someone with a old boat trailer thats been pretty much reclaimed by nature. Still has a good Title, And vin plate. In PA trailers are trailers. So if the information matches they wont say anything. And this trailer is very sound, it was just never plated. The guy who owned it never went anywhere other than 2 lakes and he knew all the cops. So.

 

[jimmbo]

Once I said the same thing. Why buy a lousy launch ramp sticker for $35 when I might only use it once or twice a year. Besides, they never check anyway.

One day they did. The ticket was $100. If I had only bought the sticker I could have saved 65 bucks...

Whether or not I would pay the fine depends on who issued it. I have a Pile of Tickets(about 2 inches thick), accumulated from Private Parking Lots over the past 20 yrs, that I refuse to Pay. I get letters from time to time from them, threatening to take me to court. If it were a City/Town Parking Lot, then I would pay it as they are connected to the Province's Motor Vehicle Dept and can interfere with the Vehicle License the next time Renewal comes up, and the City needs the money far more, for City Services, than some Business

 

[JimS123]

Whether or not I would pay the fine depends on who issued it. I have a Pile of Tickets(about 2 inches thick), accumulated from Private Parking Lots over the past 20 yrs, that I refuse to Pay. I get letters from time to time from them, threatening to take me to court. If it were a City/Town Parking Lot, then I would pay it as they are connected to the Province's Motor Vehicle Dept and can interfere with the Vehicle License the next time Renewal comes up, and the City needs the money far more, for City Services, than some Business

Our boat ramps are city owned. The signs are very clear. Go to the town hall and buy a $35 season pass, or go to the kiosk at the ramp and pay $5 per.

However, they don't tell you what the fine is if you don't.

It's all good because the town police drive thru the park quite often. Chances of getting something stolen are thus reduced.

I don't do private places.

Now that its all clear, and when my classic Lyman, I simply pay the 5 per because she only goes out on special occasions.

 

[TechSgt]

All is well fellahs and Fellettes. I have located the trailers title. The vin stick must have been removed. The trailer is a Gator from 1959. Almost 70 years old and still road worthy. Amazing.

 

[jimmbo]

The Gougers where I boat, want $150 for the Season, for 'Parking', and have done nothing to improve the Ramp, or the Dock