Enclosed Trailer Decals: Name, Phone and Unit Number Panels

Enclosed trailer decals from Work Decals are rectangular panels up to 24 inches wide. On a cargo, concession or landscape trailer they work as sign panels for a name, a phone number or a unit number. They are not a full-side graphic. The federal USDOT marking rule sits on the power unit that pulls the trailer, so under that rule what goes on the trailer is your choice.

The 24 inch limit, honestly

Our widths are 12, 18 and 24 inches, and nothing wider. A trailer side is measured in feet, so one decal will never fill it. You have three sensible options:

• One 24 inch panel with your name and phone, placed where people see the trailer parked.
• Several panels spaced along the wall: name here, phone there, unit number near a corner.
• A rear-door panel for the people behind you.

If you want one continuous line of lettering or a wrap-style graphic across a big trailer side, a decal that stops at 24 inches is the wrong tool. Ask us through the contact form before you order.

A sample for a landscape trailer: OAKRIDGE LAWN & LANDSCAPE, 555-0136 and "Mowing and cleanups" on one panel, with the unit number on its own decal toward the back.

Aluminum, wrapped skins and rivet lines

Any vinyl decal needs a smooth, clean, dry surface. Our install page says to wash the surface and keep it free of wax and polish.

• Aluminum skin: the easiest base when it is smooth. Rivets and seams raise the surface slightly, and a decal that crosses a rivet row or a panel overlap may not lie flat. Measure the clear stretch between them and pick a width that fits inside it.
• Ribbed walls: ribs can keep a decal from lying flat, as our install guide notes. Use a flat panel.
• Vinyl-wrapped or factory-graphic walls: stay on a smooth stretch, away from the wrap's seams and edges. If the wrap is lifting or cracked, fix that first, because a decal is only as secure as what is under it.

If you are unsure what your trailer wall is made of, ask before you order. A second person and masking tape make a large decal easier.

Where to put the panels

Mount the same panels at the same height on both sides, clear of the wheel well, marker lights, reflectors and door lines. On a concession trailer, work around any serving window or awning. Never cover the manufacturer's rating plate. On the rear door, keep clear of hinges, latches and lock hardware.

USDOT marking is on the truck, not the trailer

The marking rule, 49 CFR 390.21, applies to the self-propelled vehicle. FMCSA's 2000 final rule did not extend it to trailers, and its news release describes the name and USDOT number going on both sides of the power unit.

A trailer still counts toward weight, because the combination rating can decide whether the rig is covered (49 CFR 390.5T). States differ, so confirm yours. The full picture is in DOT requirements for trailers.

Unit numbers and phone numbers

• Unit number: the Trailer / Unit Number pair is $24.99, a matched pair with an optional GVWR line. It helps you tell similar trailers apart. No federal marking rule asks for it. See truck number decals.
• Phone number: the Phone Number Decal is $18.99, with the number in large digits and an optional line above for a name or a word such as CALL. We print what you type, so check the digits.
• Name and phone: the Business Name + Phone Number decal is $30.99.

For a service list, the Make-Your-Own 5-Line is $51. Concession owners can also see food truck decals, and the broader trailer decals page covers VIN and weight lines.