Trailer hauling gone someday?

[KennethBrown]

I was wondering if Bird and Mareng could tell me where this inspection is in the law books. In the early 90's I was a inspector at a quick lube type place. I took my classes and test in Waco at the DPS office by TSTC. In 97 I got my peace officers liscense and was an active officer till last fall. I have never heard of a inspection for a trailer, at least a non commercial one.

 

[3RRL]

If a new law must be passed I would choose a trailering license endorsement for any size trailer, the written portion to include concepts such as GVWR, GCWR, tongue weight, and electric brakes.

That said, I will vote against any new laws if given the chance. As it is I need to choose which laws to disobey on a daily basis. Speed limits, nah, 5+ over.

I agree about not voting in more laws...rather enforce those we already have.
What about speed limits for trailering being enforced and towing only in the #3 or4 lanes? These laws already exist and every single time I make the drive to my rural property some joker is trailering in the #1 or #2 lane. Either he can't keep up on the uphill grades or blows by you going 85 or 90mph downhill. How safe is THAT?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FarmwithJunk;

Why would they want to target goosenck trailers?

I tossed that question at my buddy too. Seemed a bit odd to target what we percieve as being the safest form of cargo trailering for most folks. What I got for an answer suprised me with it's simplicity.

The "theory" behind targeting goosenecks ISN'T a knock on the trailer itself. The thinking (someone elses, not mine) is that most goosenecks are bigger than the average bumper pull, allowing bigger loads. In addition, they make it easier for somewhat inexperienced drivers to hit the highway with loads that are bigger, heavier, and do to the fact that most goosenecks have their bed over the axles, higher than that typical bumper pull. (Which are MOSTLY "between the wheels beds") Again, I'm not agreeing with this concept, just commenting on someone elses comments. The rationale is goosenecks put too many inexperienced haulers in "the big leagues".

Even with the best brakes, the best hitch, or the best truck, pulling a trailer ISN'T nearly as safe as some people might think. There is a learning curve that must be worked through with time and experience. That ISN'T included in the purchase price of any trailer. I've personally witnessed people, who haven't ever pulled anything bigger tha a small cargo trailer, who go buy a 1-ton dually, then a 20,000 lb gooseneck, and hit the road. A good portion of those people do alright. Some don't. It's the ones who "don't get it" that I believe are the intended targets of any future restrictions.

One more time. This isn't MY idea. It may not ever happen. It's pure speculation at this stage.

 

[dubba]

I was wondering if Bird and Mareng could tell me where this inspection is in the law books

From here..
05.06 Inspect All Trailers, Semitrailers, Pole Trailers, or Mobile Homes Exceeding 4,500 Pounds Actual Gross Weight or Registered Weight For: (Listed in suggested order of inspection) Refer to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, if required.

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility on towing vehicle
1. Brakes (system) (If gross weight exceeds 4,500 pounds)
2. Tires
3. Wheel Assembly
4. Safety Guards or Flaps (if four tires or more on rearmost axle) Pole trailers exempt.
5. Tail Lamps (2)
6. Stop Lamps (2)
7. License Plate Lamp (1)
8. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
9. Turn Signal Lamps
10. Clearance Lamps
11. Side Marker Lamps
12. Side Reflectors
13. Side Marker Lamps and Reflectors (30 feet or more in overall length)
(Refer to Reference Section as per lighting diagrams and as applicable to the particular trailer being inspected.)
14. Serial or Vehicle Identification Number

 

[Bird]

I was wondering if Bird and Mareng could tell me where this inspection is in the law books. In the early 90's I was a inspector at a quick lube type place. I took my classes and test in Waco at the DPS office by TSTC. In 97 I got my peace officers liscense and was an active officer till last fall. I have never heard of a inspection for a trailer, at least a non commercial one.

Kenneth, I retired some 17 1/2 years ago and have not kept up with changes in the law. However, the requirements for inspection are in Chapter 548 of the Transportation Code. Section 548.052 (3) exempts trailers weighing 4,500 pounds or less. Chapter 548 tells which vehicles and which items on those vehicles must be inspected. Then the Department of Public Safety publishes instructions telling the inspectors how to do the inspections and what passes and/or fails. I used to keep a copy of that, but not for many years now. I don't know just how old that law is, but I do know that I bought my first travel trailer in Illinois in '72 when I was attending the Northwestern University Traffic Institute, and I took it to get it inspected and registed in Texas in June when I got back, so it's a fairly old law; just been amended many times.

 

[Bird]

dubba, looks like we were typing at the same time; you were just quicker.

 

[MarEng]

Kenneth:

Embarrassing isn't it. I used to teach Transportation Code at our Academy to the BPO candidates and didn't have a clue about the inspection, chain, brakeaway controller, etc. I was actually ready to plop down money when my Dad, a safety inspector for TxDOT, strated asking questions. Needless to say he faxed me a lot of paper that day. While some of it is in TC, I seem to remember the chains not being welded was in the Administartive Code or some such place. I'll ask him for a quick summary and post it here.

 

[DrRick]

I might add that the section also has an exemption to inspections for any trailer that is tagged with farm tags. These do not require the inspection but have to comply with the rules. Also in TX the ag haulers can exceed the 26K limit without the cdl. I think it is in the area of 32 tousand gvw. I had to go to the DPS 5 times to get the clarification on what was required in order to pull my 450 dozer on a triple axle gooseneck within the law. ( I have a class A licence w/ an agricultural exemption from cdl requirements). I was told as a side note that a half ton pickup can be registered for 10,000 gvw and be legal to haul a big lincoln welder in the back, but without paying the higher license registration it would be subject to an overweight ticket. TRUE but another story! My little sis is a state judge here and she says its ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. More stops =More dollars.
rick

 

[MarEng]

Tx (and other) statutes related to trailers are as follows. This is probably not a complete list and will require some googling for the actual text. Errors are mine. Base info from TxDOT.

Federal Motor Carrier 49CFR393.70 - Chains to be crossed under trailer tongue (to prevent tongue from contacting road if hitch fails)
Federal Motor Carrier 49CFR393.100 - Tie Downs required
Texas Transportation Code 547.401 - Brakes Required
Texas Transportation Code 547.405 - Breakaway controller required (Seems to contradict .401 slightly re: number of brakes required and trailer weight - but I'm not an attorney)
Texas Transportation Code 548 - Inspection requirements
Texas Administrative Code 37, Part 1, Chap 21.7 - Chains may not be welded to trailer frame - also mentions need for chains to be crossed.

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, I'm curious. Is this trailer inspection a Texas thing or do other states require it too? I have never had to have a trailer inspected in Ohio. If it weighs less than 4000lbs empty you don't have a title either.