Serial Number

JBehr56

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Joined
Jun 16, 2021
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5
Hello all.

I am buying a boat in a few days. it is used, well used, but more important it was well loved :)

The boat is a 1976 Crestliner and the current owner who also bought it used assumes the trailer is just as old (but also in good shape). It is a Calukins trailer and when I asked him about the serial number so I can register the trailer he said it was on a sticker that was so faded away he could not make it out.

My question is, on the trailer, could it be "stamped" somewhere into the frame and if so where would I look? I have never owned one before and have no idea where to start looking. From what I have searched out Calukins went out of business a long time ago now so I can't reach out to them. I am hoping someone might have an idea, or even on another trailer "typically" where would it be stamped if it was?

Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
 

GSPLures

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2019
Messages
564
Hello all.

I am buying a boat in a few days. it is used, well used, but more important it was well loved :)

The boat is a 1976 Crestliner and the current owner who also bought it used assumes the trailer is just as old (but also in good shape). It is a Calukins trailer and when I asked him about the serial number so I can register the trailer he said it was on a sticker that was so faded away he could not make it out.

My question is, on the trailer, could it be "stamped" somewhere into the frame and if so where would I look? I have never owned one before and have no idea where to start looking. From what I have searched out Calukins went out of business a long time ago now so I can't reach out to them. I am hoping someone might have an idea, or even on another trailer "typically" where would it be stamped if it was?

Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
Not sure, I was somewhat in the same boat (pun possibly intended🤷‍♂️). The trailer did not have any serial number on it but I was able to get the owner to leave the plate on (distant relative). In Michigan they are permanent plates that do not need to be renewed. It certainly needs trust from both parties but worked in my situation. Also in Michigan a trailer under 2500lbs empty does not have to be registered only plated. The trailer length and empty certified weight (scale slip) are needed to get the plate. Check your state laws which will guide you in what is needed.
 
Last edited:

JBehr56

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Jun 16, 2021
Messages
5
I live in Canada, it is the same here the trailer plate does not renew it is "forever". I am buying the boat from another province (different plate). The seller offered to leave it on there for me to get the boat home but asked that I mail the plate back to him after so he can use it on his new trailer.
 

GSPLures

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 3, 2019
Messages
564
I live in Canada, it is the same here the trailer plate does not renew it is "forever". I am buying the boat from another province (different plate). The seller offered to leave it on there for me to get the boat home but asked that I mail the plate back to him after so he can use it on his new trailer.
You should be able to drive it home without a plate (at least in the states you can) which would save you the headache of mailing it back.

Check your local laws about registering a trailer without a serial number. There has to be a way because people build their own trailer which would not have a number.
 

JBehr56

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Jun 16, 2021
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Yeah I thought of that, I already asked and even home built ones require an inspection and a plate and yes I need a plate to get it home, I inquired about that as well.


Assigned Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Program
Under the Traffic Safety Act a person is required to have an official vehicle identification number affixed to a vehicle that has its manufacturer's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lost or obliterated, a home made trailer or an amalgamated vehicle.
 

Alumarine

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Feb 22, 2005
Messages
3,739
Yeah I thought of that, I already asked and even home built ones require an inspection and a plate and yes I need a plate to get it home, I inquired about that as well.


Assigned Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Program
Under the Traffic Safety Act a person is required to have an official vehicle identification number affixed to a vehicle that has its manufacturer's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lost or obliterated, a home made trailer or an amalgamated vehicle.
So, it has a plate.
Is the trailer registered/insured under that plate in it's current province?
If so, on the registration/insurance form is there a serial number or VIN?
If there is, you should be ok as long as your province doesn't visually inspect the trailer.
Which provinces are involved?
 

JBehr56

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Joined
Jun 16, 2021
Messages
5
So, it has a plate.
Is the trailer registered/insured under that plate in it's current province?
If so, on the registration/insurance form is there a serial number or VIN?
If there is, you should be ok as long as your province doesn't visually inspect the trailer.
Which provinces are involved?

No it does not have a plate for this trailer and boat, he has a plate from a brand new boat he bought that he will let me use to bring it home. This 40 year old boat he never plated the trailer.

No it is not registered or even insured currently. If it was I would not need to ask these questions. LOL.... I just need to know where I might find a stamped VIN (if there even is one) I am not worried about anything else currently.

I live in AB, the boat owner is in BC.
 

GSPLures

Chief Petty Officer
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Sep 3, 2019
Messages
564
No it does not have a plate for this trailer and boat, he has a plate from a brand new boat he bought that he will let me use to bring it home. This 40 year old boat he never plated the trailer.

No it is not registered or even insured currently. If it was I would not need to ask these questions. LOL.... I just need to know where I might find a stamped VIN (if there even is one) I am not worried about anything else currently.

I live in AB, the boat owner is in BC.
Doubt there will be a stamped one unless it is on a plate somewhere. Ive never seen one stamped on the frame of a trailer although I have not seen a lot of things.
 

JBehr56

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Joined
Jun 16, 2021
Messages
5
Yeah I was not sure. I was told "newer" trailers it is stamped on as well as a plate or a sticker...... It was a long shot but I thought I would ask... Thanks for the replies.
 
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