RV VIN Lookup: Accurate RV and Motorhome VIN Decoder
With 70,000 to 80,000 RV-involved accidents annually, the need for an RV VIN check has never been more crucial. Our RV VIN Lookup service is designed to provide buyers, sellers, and owners with a comprehensive understanding of any RV’s history. Look up RV VIN numbers today!
What is an RV VIN Lookup?
A VIN lookup is a detailed look into the specifications, history and records of any motorhome using the Vehicle Identification Number. The VIN is an identifier that is assigned to every recreational vehicle during manufacture and it encodes the manufacturer information and technical specifications.
It doesn’t just end with specifications. The 17-digit VIN also can be used to track information about the motorhomes’ past records, including accident history, damages, servicing and maintenance, title brand records, and even theft records. With a VIN check, you can verify a vehicle’s condition and reliability with a few clicks.
Why Do You Need an RV VIN Lookup?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 75,000 RV-related injuries in 2012 in the U.S. With over 70,000 to 80,000 RV-involved accidents, the safest option for car buyers is getting a VIN lookup.
Some of these RVs may turn out to be damaged beyond repair, or declared total losses (with salvage titles) by insurance companies or the DMV. Do you know if the drivable or towable RV you are interested in has salvage records? If they do, they may not be safe to drive and you don’t want to risk your safety, do you?
An RV VIN lookup makes sure that all records are shown plainly and you can decide if you want to complete the purchase or sale. Here are some more reasons why you need a trailer VIN lookup:
- Fraud prevention: Avoid buying a stolen or salvage-titled RV by checking the vehicle's history. A VIN check reveals if the seller has the legal right to sell the vehicle and if it is a roadworthy one. Driving a stolen vehicle means you risk losing your vehicle and facing legal complications in the future.
- Prevent repossession: Discover any outstanding liens and loans on the RV, meaning the previous owner has unpaid debts attached to it. You could inherit the debt if you purchase without checking and could have the RV repossessed.
- Clean title confirmation: With an RV VIN lookup, you can check if the vehicle has been declared a total loss by the DMV or any insurance agency. In most states, it is illegal to drive a salvage titled vehicle, so you need to check to avoid complications during registration or ownership problems.
- Accurate specifications: Our free motorhome VIN number lookup confirms the RV's year, make, model, features, and specifications against the seller's claims. This way, you can confirm if the seller is being truthful about the vehicle’s details
- Sales listing and Auction records: Our free RV VIN number lookup checks if the recreational vehicle has been listed for sale on Classifieds and digital marketplaces or auctioned with more than ten photos provided (if available). Get an idea of the RV’s market value with a check.
Access Comprehensive Information in Our RV History Reports
- Ownership history: Track the ownership records and understand how it may impact the current condition of the RV. View number of previous owners, duration of ownership, location, and more.
- Stolen records: Don’t buy a stolen RV without knowing it. Check the RV you are interested in has been marked as stolen by the DMV or NICB and avoid legal trouble.
- Title checks: Verify the title status to ensure a smooth and legal transfer of ownership. Check for salvage titles, rebuilt titles, flood damage titles, and over 70 title checks.
- Accident records: Verify if the recreational vehicle has been in an accident. View the number of accidents, date, and location.
- Damage history: Find out the extent of damages on a vehicle and make informed decisions about the RV's structural integrity.
- Lien and loan records: Check for any outstanding loans or liens on the RV model to avoid legal complications.
- RV specifications: Check the year, make, model, trim, engine size, and other specifics of your RV, from dimensions to features, ensuring it meets your requirements.
- Sales history: Understand the RV's sales listings and transaction history, providing insights into its market journey with photos if available.
- Auction history: Check if the vehicle was auctioned at any time in its life, its condition and market value.
- Odometer rollback: Guard against fraudulent practices by verifying the accuracy of the RV's odometer reading with mileage records.
- Vehicle usage: How was the RV used in the past? Personal usage? Leased? Rental? Find out now.
Types of Recreational Vehicles
Got any one of these? You can get a VIN lookup and generate RV history reports at any time:
Class A: The largest and most luxurious motorhomes, often resembling buses. Ideal for long journeys with spacious interiors.
Class B: Compact, van-like motorhomes suitable for solo travelers or couples seeking maneuverability and simplicity.
Class C: Mid-sized motorhomes with a distinctive over-cab sleeping area. A popular choice for families or groups.
Travel Trailers
Conventional Travel Trailers: Towed by a separate vehicle, offering a wide range of sizes and floor plans for different preferences.
Fifth-Wheel Trailers: Similar to conventional trailers but designed to be towed by a pickup truck with a specialized hitch in the truck bed. Often more spacious and luxurious.
Truck Campers
Compact RVs loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck. Perfect for off-road adventures and those who prefer a more nimble and flexible camping experience.
Pop-Up Campers
Foldable and lightweight, these campers are easy to tow and store. Once set up, they provide additional sleeping and living space.
Toy Haulers
Equipped with a dedicated garage space to carry motorcycles, ATVs, or other recreational vehicles. Ideal for adventure enthusiasts.
Teardrop Trailers
Compact, streamlined trailers with a distinctive teardrop shape. Designed for simplicity and efficiency, offering a cozy camping experience.
Park Models
Larger, semi-permanent RVs often placed in RV parks or campgrounds. Resemble small homes and are not intended for frequent travel.
Hybrid Trailers
Combine features of travel trailers and pop-up campers, providing a mix of expandable sleeping areas and solid construction.
Bus Conversions
Former commercial buses converted into RVs. Offer a unique and customizable living space, often chosen by DIY enthusiasts.
Classic RVs
Older models with a classic charm. While they may require more maintenance, they often have a unique appeal.
Instant and Accurate VIN Decoding: Get RV VIN Checks 10x Easier!
Tired of typing the VIN all the time? Our VIN Decoder & Vehicle History app comes with a scanning feature that allows you to scan VINs, license plates, and minimize errors with typing. We also provide free and offline VIN decoding with the mobile application and several features.
and get started!
Common RV Scams You Did Not Know About
Are you buying an RV for the first time? Or maybe you’re looking for an upgrade and you want to sell yours? While going into the market, there are some scams that you need to be aware of. RVs are expensive vehicles and some scammers are out there to make sure they make the most profits by stealing your money, leaving you with damaged RVs or none at all.
Here are some common RV scams you should be aware of if you are buying or selling a used RV:
- Deals that seem too good to be true for both buyers and sellers
- Pressure for immediate payment from sellers
- Seller doesn’t provide detailed information about the RVs for sale
- Unsecured websites for payments
- RV Title washing to conceal hidden records like thefts, accidents, salvage records, etcetera.
- Request for upfront payment before inspection
- Some sellers exaggerate RV features or conditions in their listings
- Third parties offering to sell your vehicle for you
- Buyers that seem too eager to pay - they may have bouncing checks
- Phishing scams to steal your information, and more.
One easy way to avoid scams is by getting the right information with a detailed vehicle history report and inspection. With these, you can be sure to avoid scams as often as possible. An RV report helps you to verify authenticity and condition of the recreational vehicle you are interested in, and avoid scams.
Where is the RV VIN Number Located
Finding the location of the VIN number on an RV is easy, but you need to understand that some RVs (motorhomes) may come with two VINs, depending on the manufacturer. Why? The dual VIN situation arises from the unique construction process of drivable motorhomes. Unlike other vehicles, motorhomes undergo two distinct phases involving separate manufacturers for the chassis/cutaway and the motorhome itself. In this process, the chassis manufacturer assigns the primary 17-character VIN, decoding information about the chassis. However, the RV manufacturer responsible for completing the vehicle has the option to either assign another VIN, provide a new serial number, or furnish the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) documents carrying crucial details.
Let's take a look at this example:
Imagine a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Mercedes-Benz assigns the primary 17-character VIN to the Sprinter. This VIN contains essential information about the chassis, such as its origin, model year, and specifications.
Now, let’s say Bürstner, a respected motorhome manufacturer, decides to build a motorhome using the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Bürstner takes the bare Sprinter cab chassis (which includes only the driver’s area) and transforms it into a fully functional motorhome. During this phase, Bürstner may also assign another VIN to the vehicle.
With all these in mind, where can we find the VIN of a recreational vehicle?
For Motorhomes (Drivable RVs)
- Driver's Door Jamb: Look for a metal plate or sticker on the inside of the driver's door jamb. This is a common location for displaying the VIN on drivable RVs.
- Windshield: Check the front corner of the driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield. Some motorhomes may have the VIN placed in this area for easy visibility.
- Engine Compartment: Inspect the firewall or radiator support bracket in the engine compartment. The VIN may be located in this area for drivable RVs.
For Towable RVs (Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, etc.)
- Federal Certification Label: Found on the left front corner (lower roadside) of the RV, near the bottom of the sidewall. This label typically contains important information, including the VIN.
- Tongue or Frame: Look for a metal plate or sticker near the tongue, which is the part that connects to the tow vehicle. Alternatively, it may be on the frame rail close to the hitch.
- Underside of the Trailer: Check the support bars or frame members on the underside of the trailer.
- Steering column
- Under the driver’s side window
- Along the sidewall
- Near the axles
- Vehicle registration documents
- Insurance documents
- Certificate of title, and more.
Sample RV VIN Report
The 2014 Heartland RV Bighorn has:
- Hail damage title brand records
- Damage records
- Lien and loan records
- Auction records
- Does not run or drive
- Has 999,999 miles
The 2014 Heartland RV Bighorn has:
- Hail damage title brand records
- Damage records
- Lien and loan records
- Auction records
- Does not run or drive
- Has 999,999 miles
Explore Our RV Window Sticker Tool
Get a better purchase experience with our RV window sticker lookup tool. A window sticker provides a detailed list of your vehicle’s standard equipment, optional packages, MSRP, fuel economy, exterior and interior colors, and lots more vehicle specifications.
How to Get an RV VIN Lookup
- Find the VIN on the recreational vehicle (towable or drivable)
- Navigate to the form on this page
- Next, you need to enter its VIN and fill out the form.
- Select “Check VIN”.
- Receive and review the vehicle history report.
Facts About Recreational Vehicles
- Approximately 6% of all stolen vehicles are RVs or similar vehicles. RVs rank as the 4th most common type of stolen vehicles.
- States like Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida have the highest incidence of RV thefts.
- Summer is the most common time for RV thefts.
- In 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported 75,000 injuries due to RV accidents.
- On average, approximately 26 people die each year in RV-related accidents.
- Around 14% of RV drivers are over the age of 65, and senior drivers may face unique challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you look up RV by VIN number?
Yes, you can look up any RV by VIN number with our lookup tool to get detailed specifications and vehicle history. Searching for a VIN puts you in the right direction if you are buying or selling a vehicle. Get started right away.
How do I check a VIN number on a trailer for free?
You can use our free trailer VIN number lookup tool to check the VIN number on a trailer for free. You will access free vehicle specifications, market value, sales listings and auction history, and more. You can also get a more detailed history check by entering or scanning the RV’s VIN into our VIN search tool.
Can I look up vehicle specs by VIN number?
Yes, you can query a particular vehicle’s VIN to identify specific vehicle information including specifications and vehicle history. Simply find the VIN assigned by the RV manufacturer, enter the VIN number into our VIN decoder, fill out the rest of the form, and submit.
How do I find the make and model of my RV?
Our RV VIN lookup can help you find the make and model of your recreational vehicle with our free VIN decoder. We offer detailed specifications, including year, make, model, trim, engine specifications, transmission, dimensions, and more. You can also get a history report that includes accident records, title brand records, ownership information, theft records, sales listings, auction history, and more.
How do I look up my Ford RV by VIN number?
You can look up your Ford’s RV by VIN number with our instant Ford VIN decoder and lookup tool. Here’s how a lookup works, simply enter the VIN into our tool, fill out the form, and submit it. You will instantly find the vehicle’s specifications and history records.
