This isn't VIN on 80 fun lite slx?

[LukeTheDuke]

Hey all been looking high and low for info this place seems to be a wealth of info not found anywhere on the net so I joined up and been looking up and down the site, so thank you for having the forum,
On to it photo attached. this thing is old yes older than me by 2 maybe more, was advertised as a 1980 Hilo, after searching I believe it is a 80 hi lo funlite slx.

This cannot be the vin I need to take to the DMV correct?
It is the only stamped anything I've found after removing paint in spots on the side of the tongue
This photo is on top of the tongue next to the tongue jack it is 8 numbers, my insurance guy said yes this is the number they are gonna use...
I live in central Illinois hell scape and am supposed to register plate title all the bs dollars to pay out to do anything road related etc

Any advice appreciated , and thank you for your time

 

[LukeTheDuke]

More photo

 

[JackandJanet]

I'm guessing that whomever you bought it from didn't have a title or registration? I think either of those would have the VIN. If they don't accept that number, try registering it as a "home built".

Lacking a VIN seems a common problem on these older trailers.

- Jack

 

[LukeTheDuke]

Purchased in Wisconsin, I guess they don't need titles registration or plates on there trailers . I looked it up and she was correct, wDOT wants you to title and register but it's not a requirement

I'm kinda stuck being in Illinois and their million requirements to meet requirements

 

[DeLana]

Jack, I've been looking back into the Hi-Lo Company history to try to determine when the Hi-Lo Company purchased the Towlite Company; haven't found the year yet. Just a hunch but the VIN number for Towlite for a unit that old may have been set up differently by the Towlite Company (prior to the Hi-Lo Company purchase or Hi-Lo retained the Towlite procedure for VINs a few years after purchase of Towlite, especially the units already built by Towlite and went with its assets).

 

[JackandJanet]

Thanks, Dee - there DOES seem to be a bit of difficulty finding a VIN on old trailers. I found this webpage that discusses this problem, but I don't know how much help it is: https://rvthefulltimeway.com/2019/0...-camper-travel-trailer-motorhome-fifth-wheel/

- Jack

 

[LukeTheDuke]

Thank you for the replies and links!

Looking at the old funlite ad I posted there seems to be a black lil box on the side of the tongue��
I've sanded nearly the entire tongue frame especially by what would be the propane rack , if it was still there and haven't found any stamps yet.

On another note, I may have found the coolest guy at the DMV when I went to plate and title the thing, he did some digging and found a way to register that number on the tongue and use the bill of sale and a address to make it go through, so I got a plate and a title maybe on the way , which is awesome. The DMV may contact me and request other information and or an inspection before they send a title , but honestly I just wanted a damn plate to make this thing look legit and not have to deal with pullovers etc

Thanks again I'm sure I'll be asking more questions soon as I'm digging into this old thing more and more

Like I found these 2 wires coming out the side of the cabinet on the fridge side (dometic 211 that still works) the wires have 12v power going to one wire I'm baffled by that one my first guess being one powered and one ground that it was a switch for something

 

[LukeTheDuke]

Thanks, Dee - there DOES seem to be a bit of difficulty finding a VIN on old trailers. I found this webpage that discusses this problem, but I don't know how much help it is: https://rvthefulltimeway.com/2019/0...-camper-travel-trailer-motorhome-fifth-wheel/

- Jack

Thank you
I did find that article before I whent to sanding away old paint on the tongue, that article is kinda why I asked the question here before going to the DMV watched a old tube video of a guy giving the same pointers
Thanks for the link!

 

[JackandJanet]

I'm so glad you've found some actual "help" at the DMV. Too often, people working in these kinds of jobs either can't be bothered, or, they don't have a clue about the laws and don't know how to work within them.

I'm going to make a wild guess too on the wires - it sounds to me like they could have fed an ON/Off switch that powers something, as you also guessed. If you follow the wire that is NOT hot, it may lead to the device that is powered when the switch is ON. It COULD be an exterior fan that cools the condenser at the outside of the refrigerator and helps the refrigerator to stay cool when the ambient temps are hot. It could also power the water pump.

- Jack

 

[DF5776]

VIN location on 1681SLX by entry door.

On my 1981 16' HiLo SLX (optional toilet & black water tank, furnace, H2O heater, H20 supply tank & 3-way fridge) there is a metal badge from the RV Industry Association next to the grab bar beside the door latch. At the center of this is a multi-digit number which appeared on the original and subsequent titles issued by Washington and now Colorado. See photo.

 

[LukeTheDuke]

On my 1981 16' HiLo SLX (optional toilet & black water tank, furnace, H2O heater, H20 supply tank & 3-way fridge) there is a metal badge from the RV Industry Association next to the grab bar beside the door latch. At the center of this is a multi-digit number which appeared on the original and subsequent titles issued by Washington and now Colorado. See photo.

Thank you!! There is a badge next to the door, it's been painted over a couple times by the look of it, never thought there would be a number there! Thanks!!

 

[LukeTheDuke]

I'm so glad you've found some actual "help" at the DMV. Too often, people working in these kinds of jobs either can't be bothered, or, they don't have a clue about the laws and don't know how to work within them.

I'm going to make a wild guess too on the wires - it sounds to me like they could have fed an ON/Off switch that powers something, as you also guessed. If you follow the wire that is NOT hot, it may lead to the device that is powered when the switch is ON. It COULD be an exterior fan that cools the condenser at the outside of the refrigerator and helps the refrigerator to stay cool when the ambient temps are hot. It could also power the water pump.

- Jack

Jack I agree with you on an exterior light maybe, there's a light but no switch anywhere, I slapped a solar light under it put some sealant around it, got to use it last weekend , worked out great imo,
I'm hoping to maybe rip out the fridge sell it, and rip cabinet next to it, previous owners have got rid of basically everything , no sink ,no bathroom, no water tank, no couch, no beds , just a counter top with 3burner, dometic 211 under with the cabinet on the side , it was "remodeled" to where it's 2 xl twin beds and the stock fridge etc
Not much of a upgrade imo but it works I suppose

 

[LukeTheDuke]

Is that a roof rack on your slx??

Nice!