Interpretation ID: nht95-4.74

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: November 13, 1995

FROM: Tommy Reeder -- Loadcraft Manufacturing Corp.

TO: Dave Coleman -- NHTSA

TITLE: Lights on Rear of Trailer

ATTACHMT: 1/29/96 letter from Samuel J. Dubbin to Tommy Reeder (A44; Std. 108)

TEXT: WE HAVE A TRAILER CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION THAT IS CAUSING A CONCERN ITS ORIGINAL APPLICATION WAS FOR FARM IMPLEMENTS WE NOW HAVE A CUSTOMER USING IT FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS. IT HAS A TILT DECK -- BECAUSE OF THIS, LIGHTS ON THE EXTREME END TEND TO BE CRU SHED BY ROCKS OR MUD WHEN THE TRAILER DECK IS TILTED TO WINCH SOMETHING ON THE DECK. THE FARM TRAILER USED LIGHTS MOUNTED ON THE FURTHER MOST CROSSMEMBER FACING THE REAR OF TRAILER.

DO THE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE AT THE VERY END OF THE TRAILER? WE HAVE STARTED USING A DROP BAR IN ADDITION TO THE LIGHTS ON THE CROSSMEMBER TO INCREASE VISIBILITY OF THE TAIL LIGHTS IN TRAFFIC, -- IS THIS ACCEPTABLE?

Drawing omitted.