Buying a used camper is a very exciting adventure and most people dream of owning a home like this.
But if you make a mistake and buy the wrong one this could cost you a lot of money and stress. In this article, we will be discussing everything about a camper VIN, how you can check it and what information you get from running a camper VIN check.
What Is A Camper VIN?
A camper VIN is a 17-digit code that is unique to each camper. This code usually includes information about where and when the camper was manufactured.
Using a VIN lookup tool will tell you important specifications like the length of the vehicle, the number of axles and so much more.
The last few digits of a VIN number are serial numbers but no other vehicle will have the same serial number, manufacturing, and equipment digits.
Where To Find Your Camper VIN?
The VIN of your camper can usually be found on the top of the dashboard on the driver’s side.
It is usually stamped on a metal plate, which can be easily read from the outside. Some other locations where you can find the VIN are on the engine firewall or a sticker or metal plate inside the driver’s side door jam.
Some motorized campers may have 2 VINs if they were built in two stages. You can have a VIN for the chassis which identifies the vehicle and the second one is usually created by the manufacturer for internal use.
If you have a towable camper, you can easily find the VIN on the left side near the bottom of the sidewall.
How to Decoder a Camper VIN?
A camper’s VIN number has different parts which have specific reference points. Understanding these numbers will help you when decoding a camper’s VIN.
The first three digits designate the vehicle’s manufacturer, like Winnebago. The fourth digit tells you what type of camper it is (T for a travel trailer, etc.).
Then the next three digits are a unique identifier of your floor plan. The eighth digit tells you if the camper has one, two, or three axles, and the ninth digit is called the check digit.
It is automatically generated by the other digits in your VIN so authorities can check if it is authentic or a forgery.
The tenth digit represents the year of manufacture and you can check it against a chart from the manufacturers.
The eleventh digit is a code for the plant location where your recreational vehicle was built.
Finally, the following and final six numbers are the serial numbers for your camper created by the manufacturer.
What Does a Camper History Report Reveal?
The VIN acts as an identifier for the vehicle or trailer in official documents. By pulling information from available records, our VIN report builds a history of the vehicle, from when it rolled off of the factory line to today.
Here’s what you’ll find in this report:
Past vehicle registrations
Insurance claims for accidents, natural disasters, and other damage
Outstanding liens
If the vehicle or trailer was stolen, and if it was recovered
Odometer reporting discrepancies
Market value
This information helps you determine a fair offer and helps you avoid lemons and vehicles that might be repossessed.
Using our reports can save you a considerable amount of time and guesswork when hunting down your next camping vehicle, and gives you the peace of mind that what you buy doesn’t have any hidden problems.
Conclusion
Before buying a camper, you want to ensure that you do a VIN check.
Getting the VIN is quite easy as it can be easily located on the dashboard.
With a VIN lookup tool, you can easily get detailed information about the vehicle.
This will ensure that you are not making any mistakes or wasting money.
