mommao
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Post by mommao on Oct 3, 2015 17:00:35 GMT -8
Hi!
Does anyone know if there is a minimum number of tow lights for a travel trailer (for example, of a particular length or weight)? I know they need to function as running lights, brake lights and turn signals, but my trailer has umpteen light fixtures and I wondered if a particular number are required, and if there need to be side and front lights. Dr Google's not coughing up an answer tonight...
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Post by vintagebruce on Oct 3, 2015 17:35:28 GMT -8
 to VTT. Some states may require more or less configurations. The best thing you could do is go to your nearest DMV and find the person in charge of Titling vintage campers and asking what is required in your State. Dr. DMV better cough up the answers.
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mommao
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Post by mommao on Oct 3, 2015 19:01:19 GMT -8
Thanks, Bruce! :-)
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Post by bigbill on Oct 4, 2015 4:13:51 GMT -8
Many DMV clerks have no idea about laws other than those regarding title and registration. I would suggest contacting your state patrol, also remember if you cross state lines you may run into different laws. There fore I recommend having your trailer lights up to a minimum federal standard which for trailers mfg 1968 or later includes tail, brake, clearance, and license lights. (Turn signals operate with your brake lights)
I personally want lights that are bright enough to be seen by a tired driver that may be traveling 20 or 30 mph faster than you. A rear end collision is enough to ruin your day/vacation even if you aren't injured, but if you are towing at 50 to 60 mph on the highway and get hit by a driver running 80 chances are you will lose control of your vehicle and have a serious situation such as a roll over or worse. I recommend hooking up your trailer parking in the street in a dark area with the lights on, now get in another vehicle and approach it from several hundred feet away to determine how well you can see it. Now while doing this keep a few thoughts in mind, how about if you had a few beers or if you had already driven 600 or 800 miles today and was tired and distracted would you still see it in time to avoid a collision? THE LIFE YOU SAVE COULD BE YOURS OR YOUR FAMILIES.
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Oct 4, 2015 17:47:18 GMT -8
Mom,
What's important is, as Bill points out, what was the requirement the year your trailer was BUILT, not current law. And it's pretty hard to figure out exactly what that requirement was.
Best bet, I think -- whoever built your trailer knew the requirements for that year, and conformed to them. Your requirement is no more than what was on the trailer when new.
B
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gary350
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We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
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Post by gary350 on Oct 7, 2015 14:42:59 GMT -8
I already ran into this problem. Call the State Police they enforce the laws they are required to know what the laws are.
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Oct 8, 2015 8:20:31 GMT -8
Gary,
When seat belts became the law it was NOT required that all vehicles have seat belts retrofitted. So my 1960 pickup doesn't have seatbelts, but a state trooper won't have memorized when and how each change was implemented.
B
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Post by bigbill on Oct 8, 2015 10:26:19 GMT -8
Gary, When seat belts became the law it was NOT required that all vehicles have seat belts retrofitted. So my 1960 pickup doesn't have seatbelts, but a state trooper won't have memorized when and how each change was implemented. B No but the trooper might wish he had. A fellow I know got stopped in his 1953 Caddy and was given a ticket for not wearing a seat belt even after explaining that the car didn't come with belts. He went to court and the judge apologized to him, then sent a letter out to all departments in his jurisdiction explaining that the law didn't apply to vehicles not factory equipped with belts and requiring them in other non equipped vehicles might require the departments to pay for crash test to establish proper mounting points or to be liable for injuries that occurred in vehicles that they required belts to be installed in without proper testing. The moral of this is if you are going to ticket a lawyer be sure you a right then go ahead. |
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to VTT. Some states may require more or less configurations. The best thing you could do is go to your nearest DMV and find the person in charge of Titling vintage campers and asking what is required in your State. Dr. DMV better cough up the answers.
