Trailer VIN guides for Canadian manufacturers

What we’ve learned issuing VINs, compliance labels and NVIS sheets as a Canadian trailer manufacturer, written for the people who do it every day.

• How to get VINs for the trailers you build in CanadaThe steps a Canadian trailer manufacturer takes before issuing its first VIN: a WMI and National Safety Mark authorization from Transport Canada, a VIN layout, a compliance label and the NVIS.
• Trailer VIN format explained, position by position (CMVSS 115)What each of the 17 characters in a trailer VIN means under CMVSS 115: WMI, vehicle descriptor, check digit, model year, plant code and serial number, with a worked example.
• How the VIN check digit (position 9) is calculatedThe check digit calculation step by step: letter values, position weights, the remainder of 11 and when the check digit is X. With a worked example on a trailer VIN.
• VIN model year codes chart (position 10)Every VIN model year code from 1980 to 2039, how the 30-year cycle works, which letters are never used, and how to choose the model year for a trailer.
• What goes on a trailer compliance label in CanadaThe information a Canadian trailer compliance label (VIN sticker) carries: manufacturer, date of manufacture, National Safety Mark, GVWR, GAWR, VIN and vehicle type, plus tires, lettering size and where to put it.
• NVIS for trailers: what it is and how to fill it inThe New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS) for a new trailer: who issues it, what each box needs (VIN, make, model, body type, weights) and the dealer and purchaser sections.
• Switching your trailer VINs from a spreadsheet to VINreadyHow a trailer shop moves from a VIN spreadsheet and Word templates to VINready without missing a serial: what to bring, carrying on your serial numbers, checking the first VIN, and keeping your old records.
• Free tool: trailer VIN checkerCheck any VIN’s check digit and see what each character means.