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Understanding MCOs and Labels on Trailers

By NATM Staff

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) regularly receives questions regarding VIN labels, tire placards and Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCOs) or Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSOs). Labels on trailers play an important role in communicating crucial information from the trailer manufacturer to the end user, such as flagging a hazard or explaining how to appropriately use the equipment. These placards supply the end user with information that is often too important to risk losing, such as cargo capacity or VIN information, hence the federal requirements of their application.

Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)

A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) or Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) is similar to a Certificate of Title issued by the local DMV. The trailer manufacturer issues an MCO to the original purchasing dealer. The dealer then endorses it to the new vehicle owner who submits it to the local DMV upon vehicle registration. Sometimes the dealer will handle this transaction. The local DMV then issues a Certificate of Title or a similar ownership document to the new vehicle purchaser.

The MCO is provided to the customer when they purchase the trailer. The MCO must be on banknote paper and must accompany each trailer sold. The image below is an example of an MCO that has been properly filled out with all the required criteria. One of the important items listed on the MCO is the shipping weight of the trailer. The shipping weight of the trailer listed on the MCO, plus the trailer’s cargo capacity listed on the tire placard should never exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the trailer that can be found on the VIN placard. For example, a trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 7,000 lbs. that has a shipping weight of 4,500 lbs. should never have cargo loaded on it that exceeds 2,500 lbs. because 4,500 lbs. plus 2,500 lbs. equal 7,000 lbs. The max GVWR of the trailer is listed as 7,000 lbs. and anything making the trailer weigh over 7,000 lbs. overloads the trailer.

VIN Placards

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is the identifying code for each specific vehicle and is permanently attached to the trailer. The VIN placards must feature the 17-digit VIN number assigned to the trailer, and the label must be riveted or permanently affixed in such a manner that it cannot be removed without destroying or defacing it.

The VIN placard shall be affixed to a location on the forward half of the left side (roadside) such that it is easily readable from outside the trailer without moving any part of it. The label must contain the name of the manufacturer, the month and year the trailer was manufactured, the GVWR of the trailer, the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the axle(s), the correct tire information including the tire size, load rating, and tire inflation pressures. The VIN placard must also contain accurate rim information, including rim size, width, configuration, the vehicle compliance conformity statement, the 17-digit VIN, and the vehicle type classification.

The appropriate compliance statement must also be included on the VIN placard, whether it be for the U.S., Canada, or both countries. It must also describe the vehicle type as either trailer or tra/rem. The measurements on the VIN placard must be listed in metric first and imperial second, but it is acceptable to list only metric values.

NATM Associate Members that sell MCOs/MSOs

Chicago WaterMark Company

www.chicagowatermark.com/certo/ (888) 292-8376

Colonial Bank Note Company

www.colonialbanknote.com (800) 715-4010

Dec-O-Art, Inc.

www.dec-o-art.com (574) 294-6451

Vin-eze A Division of P.M.C.S., Inc.

www.vineze.com (818) 957-5647

4. Example Certifi cation Label/VIN Plate

EXAMPLE CERTIFICATION LABEL

MANUFACTURED BY: XXXXXX TRAILERS, INC. IN U.S.A.

DATE: XX/XX/XX

GVWR 5761 KG (12,700 LB) GAWR FRONT 2304 KG (5,080 LB) GAWR REAR 2304 KG (5,080 LB) TIRES ST225/75R15(D) TIRES ST225/75R15(D) RIMS 15X6J RIMS 15X6J COLD INF. PRESSURE 447 KPA (65 PSI) SINGLE COLD INF. PRESSURE 447 KPA (65 PSI) SINGLE

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE US FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE-SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.

Vehicle identifi cation No. : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Vehicle Type: Trailer

MANUFACTURED BY/FABRIQUÉ PAR: [COMPANY NAME]

DATE MFR’D/FABRIQUE DATE GVWR/ V.I.N./N.I.V. MODEL/MODÉLE

TYPE OF VEHICLE/TYPE DE VÉHICULE: TRAILER/REMORQUE COLD INFL. PRESS./PRESS. DIMENSION DIMENSION DE GONF. Á FROID

#1 PNBE KG/(GAWR) #2 PNBE KG/(GAWR) #3 PNBE KG/(GAWR) PNEU/(TIRE) PNEU/(TIRE) PNEU/(TIRE) JANTE/ (RIM) JANTE/ (RIM) JANTE/ (RIM) LPC KPA/(PSI) LPC KPA/(PSI) LPC KPA/(PSI)

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY REGULATION IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. CE VÉHICULE EST CONFORME A TÓUJTES LES NORMES QUI LUI SONT APPLICABLES EN VERTU DU REGLEMENT SUR LA SECURITE DES VEHICÚLES AUTÓMOBILES DEES ESTATS-UNIS ET DU CANADA EN VIGUEUR A LA DATE DE SA FABRICATION.

VIN Recorded Vehicle Identifi cation Number of this trailer.

GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating - Actual carrying capacity of trailer incluing trailer weight. DATE Date of manufacture.

TYPE OF VEHICLE Trailer

GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating - Actual weight carrying capacity of each axle by component group including tires and wheels. TIRES Tire size and capacity for each tire and cold tire pressure. RIM Actual dimension of proper rim. PSI Cold Infl ation Pressure (lbs) KPA Cold Infl ation PRessure (KPa) (Kilopascals) (1-PSI=6.8947574 KPa) (40 PSI= 275.8KPa)

Guidelines 2015 Edition B11-19 Finally, the items on the VIN placard must be listed in the correct order, as illustrated in the sample below. For example, the vehicle compliance conformity statement should not be included at the top of the VIN placard. Instead, it should be inserted near the bottom of the VIN placard with only the VIN number itself and the vehicle type listed following it.

Tire Placard

Tire placards contain information on tires and load limits and must be applied on the front roadside of the trailer, next to the VIN label on all trailers with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less. As illustrated in the tire placard example to the right, the tire placard must be completed with the correct information for the tires mounted on the trailer.

To paraphrase 49 CFR 571.110, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulation requires all trailer manufacturers to attach a permanent tire safety information label or placard (tire placard) next to the VIN placard (label) on every trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less. This placard must list information about tire size and pressure, and include the statement, “The weight of the cargo should never exceed XXX kilograms or XXX lbs.”

Warning Labels

Warning labels on trailers are critical because they are the final opportunity for the trailer manufacturer to communicate with the end user. The labels convey information about the potential hazards associated with operating the trailer to avoid a preventable accident resulting in serious injury and/or property damage.

NATM developed a series of generic warning labels for light- and medium-duty trailers with the valuable assistance of Weinstein Associates. NATM has copyrighted its labels but has agreed to license decal manufacturers to reproduce the labels on high quality, durable material with specified types of lettering and ink. There are several approved members of NATM that are licensed to reproduce and sell the NATM Warning Labels. Many trailer manufacturers already use warning labels of their own design or the design of a decal manufacturer. However, the NATM labels are distinct and have important advantages in addressing hazards.

Under the direction and guidance of Weinstein Associates, a representative

selection of the NATM labels have been tested with a cross-section of the public for clarity and comprehension in accordance with established procedures of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The labels are certified as adequate and in conformity with the ANSI testing requirements. NATM warning labels are also constructed of specific materials to improve longevity as trailers are exposed to wear and tear. Regarding placement, the warning labels are to be installed as close to the dangerous item or component on the trailer as possible. This helps ensure the end user sees, reads, and understands the warning label. The label should be difficult to miss. Below are the approved NATM Supplier Member Companies that offer NATM Warning Labels. For more information, contact NATM Technical Director Alex Stowe at Alex.Stowe@natm.com or (785) 272-4433. ■

Associate Members that sell NATM Licensed Trailer Warning Labels

Dec-O-Art, Inc.

www.dec-o-art.com (574) 294-6451

Kenny & Gyl Company

www.kennygyl.com (515) 225-3378

Tech Products, Inc. - Signs, Tags and Markers

www.techproducts.com (718) 442-4900

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