chim
Elite Member
I followed this and would like to offer a few thoughts:
1. Glad you ended up with a safe trailer, Papa.
2. Regarding enforcement - Although it would be good for a cop to issue citations for "bad" trailers, the average officer wouldn't be sufficiently familiar with trailer construction to make the determination.
3. We have about 20 trailers - most in the 3000# to 7000# range at work for our superintendents to use. It's almost a full time job to keep them in good condition. We have been updating them with LED lights and "armor" to protect them, replacing chains, repairing wiring, etc. It isn't easy to make them "superintendent proof". We do our best to make sure they are safe and in compliance with PA laws. One thing I discovered is that several of our trailers had much smaller safety chains than allowed by law. In PA each chain must be rated for the GVW of the trailer. Several trailers came new with chains that looked like they belonged on a canoe trailer.
4. Our state does require inspections for trailers. The frequency depends on the weight rating. I see trailers on the road that make me wonder how they passed.
5. "Let the buyer beware" is a good credo in general, but most people don't have the ability to make the determination whether the welds or structure might be good or bad. I grew up in construction work, and many of the guys I know have a fair amount of mechanical aptitude, but a lot of other people I know have trouble replacing a car battery. We need less government in most cases, but something like this should be regulated.
1. Glad you ended up with a safe trailer, Papa.
2. Regarding enforcement - Although it would be good for a cop to issue citations for "bad" trailers, the average officer wouldn't be sufficiently familiar with trailer construction to make the determination.
3. We have about 20 trailers - most in the 3000# to 7000# range at work for our superintendents to use. It's almost a full time job to keep them in good condition. We have been updating them with LED lights and "armor" to protect them, replacing chains, repairing wiring, etc. It isn't easy to make them "superintendent proof". We do our best to make sure they are safe and in compliance with PA laws. One thing I discovered is that several of our trailers had much smaller safety chains than allowed by law. In PA each chain must be rated for the GVW of the trailer. Several trailers came new with chains that looked like they belonged on a canoe trailer.
4. Our state does require inspections for trailers. The frequency depends on the weight rating. I see trailers on the road that make me wonder how they passed.
5. "Let the buyer beware" is a good credo in general, but most people don't have the ability to make the determination whether the welds or structure might be good or bad. I grew up in construction work, and many of the guys I know have a fair amount of mechanical aptitude, but a lot of other people I know have trouble replacing a car battery. We need less government in most cases, but something like this should be regulated.