Posted 2010-03-09 7:41 AM (#117361) Subject: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Member
Posts: 13
Location: PA
Ok, hopefully I explain this correctly.
I bought a trailer in Illinois, and I'm in PA. In order to get it registered, the notary needs to verify the VIN number on the trailer with the VIN number on the title. I can do a tracing of it, with tracing paper, and take it to them. But, its not working. I have tracing paper, but a pencil isn't working, charcol pencil isn't working, crayon didnt. Everything is ending up too dark, and you can't read the information.
Anyone ever done one? if so, Any special way to do it?
Posted 2010-03-09 8:04 AM (#117363 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Member
Posts: 13
Location: PA
We can't get the trailer and truck out of the yard. It was stuck in snow, but now that alot of that has melted, its stuck in mud. Thats why I was hoping just to do a tracing of it.
Posted 2010-03-09 8:13 AM (#117365 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Regular
Posts: 77 Location: Burleson, TX
Take a regular piece of paper (notebook, computer, etc.) and lay it over the VIN. Take the side of a pencil and rub it over the area of the paper that is over the VIN. Start out lightly and then increase the pressure until the VIN shows clearly. If the VIN is stamped into the metal, the area around the VIN will be darker and the VIN will appear lighter. If the VIN is raised, it will appear dark and the area around it will be lighter. Might need to practice a few times with the paper over a coin to get the idea. On a penny, Lincoln's head, the date, "Liberty" and the edge will be dark and the rest will be lighter.
Posted 2010-03-09 8:40 AM (#117367 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 119 Location: 99320
You can also take the paper and press it against the vin plate (if the number is raised) so there is a bit of an impression in the paper. Then, do your rubbing as described in the post above.
Posted 2010-03-09 9:33 PM (#117403 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I once bought a trailer that had a PRINTED data plate, one that was incapable of having a rubbed facsimile. I got a form from AAA and took the trailer to an inspection station where the owner verified the numbers. Any PA automotive inspection station can verify the numbers for you, in addition to a notary.
Posted 2010-03-10 7:12 AM (#117407 - in reply to #117382) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Member
Posts: 13
Location: PA
Originally written by Bleve on 2010-03-09 3:35 PM
Can't you just take a digital picture of the VIN plate?
Yes you can, but you have to take the trailer, and the picture to an inspection place, or notary for them to sign off on it.
Well, the tracing didn't work last night. So I'm not sure what to do now. Tried getting the truck and trailer out last night, and wasn't able to. And with all the rain we're going to be getting the next few days, it's stuck.
Posted 2010-03-10 7:59 AM (#117409 - in reply to #117367) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Expert
Posts: 2957 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Safet on 2010-03-09 5:40 AM
You can also take the paper and press it against the vin plate (if the number is raised) so there is a bit of an impression in the paper. Then, do your rubbing as described in the post above.
As mentioned above, the tracing technique will ONLY work if the numbers are raised or impressed... a different level than the plate. (You might have to clean the plate of dirt filling the numbers) Printed numbers will not trace. Thin, hard paper like wrapping tissue works best for tracing.
Posted 2010-03-10 8:57 AM (#117410 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Veteran
Posts: 123 Location: Indiana
Maybe it's just me, but why are you worried about it when its stuck in the mud/snow? Why not just wait unit you can actually use it? Unless there is some law in PA that you are worried about I wouldnt even think about it until springtime.
Posted 2010-03-10 9:15 AM (#117411 - in reply to #117409) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Member
Posts: 13
Location: PA
Originally written by hosspuller on 2010-03-10 8:59 AM
Originally written by Safet on 2010-03-09 5:40 AM
You can also take the paper and press it against the vin plate (if the number is raised) so there is a bit of an impression in the paper. Then, do your rubbing as described in the post above.
As mentioned above, the tracing technique will ONLY work if the numbers are raised or impressed... a different level than the plate. (You might have to clean the plate of dirt filling the numbers) Printed numbers will not trace. Thin, hard paper like wrapping tissue works best for tracing.
The numbers are impressed into the plate. I tried using thing tracing paper, and regular paper, and neither worked. Maybe I'm just doing something wrong? I have no idea.
Posted 2010-03-10 10:41 AM (#117416 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Regular
Posts: 73 Location: MI
Couldn't you take a series of pictures approaching the trailer and VIN plate, starting from a wide perspective and finishing with a closeup of the actual VIN?
Posted 2010-03-10 11:27 AM (#117418 - in reply to #117411) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Originally written by BRcwgrl81 on 2010-03-10 9:15 AM
The numbers are impressed into the plate. I tried using thing tracing paper, and regular paper, and neither worked. Maybe I'm just doing something wrong? I have no idea.
Thin tracing paper is what you will want. On imprinted numbers, the duller your pencil or more lead you have showing, the better off you are. It will end up looking like a negative of a picture. The VIN plate area will be dark, while the numbers and letters will show up lighter. When doing it, act like a little kid that is trying to color a page completely. It can defintely be a pain.
What about waiting until you can get the trailer out...are you looking at a fine if you don't do it within a certain number of days?
Posted 2012-01-19 10:42 PM (#140138 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Member
Posts: 12
Originally written by BRcwgrl81 on 2010-03-09 7:41 AM
Ok, hopefully I explain this correctly.
I bought a trailer in Illinois, and I'm in PA. In order to get it registered, the notary needs to verify the VIN number on the trailer with the VIN number on the title. I can do a tracing of it, with tracing paper, and take it to them. But, its not working. I have tracing paper, but a pencil isn't working, charcol pencil isn't working, crayon didnt. Everything is ending up too dark, and you can't read the information.
Anyone ever done one? if so, Any special way to do it?
Try on using some copy paper and and a carbon paper. even the pencil or ball pen won't work, the carbon paper would still make an image or text of what you wrote.
Posted 2012-01-20 5:46 PM (#140157 - in reply to #117363) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by BRcwgrl81 on 2010-03-09 8:04 AM
We can't get the trailer and truck out of the yard. It was stuck in snow, but now that alot of that has melted, its stuck in mud. Thats why I was hoping just to do a tracing of it.
It is about to get cold again...get one of your farm neighbors to come over with one of his AG tractors...IT WILL pull your truck and trailer out...
Posted 2012-01-21 6:34 PM (#140180 - in reply to #117361) Subject: RE: Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
I'm just finding it odd that they won't transfer the Illinois title to a Pennsylvania title. That just doesn't make any sense. That's all I ever had to do to register a truck from Colorado and a Motorcycle from Ohio in Illinois. Or did this trailer have no title for some reason? Sorry, more questions then answers from me.
Any special way to do a tracing of a VIN plate on a trailer?
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