Interpretation ID: nht76-1.46

DATE: 03/08/76

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; R. B. Dyson; NHTSA

TO: Georgette A. Sears

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in response to your letter of January 6, 1976, requesting information as to the Federal standards and regulations that are applicable to the manufacture of an "18' pull type horse/stock trailer combination."

Manufacturers of trailers of the type you describe must certify that their product is in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment, 49 CFR 571.108, and Standard No. 120, Tire Selections and Rims for Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars, 49 CFR 571.120. Please note, however, that Standard No. 120 is not effective until August 1, 1976, for the rim marking requirements (S5.2), and September 1, 1976, for the remaining requirements, so trailers manufactured before these times will not have to be certified as being in compliance with Standard No. 120.

The procedure for certification is specified in 49 CFR Part 567, and requires the manufacturer to affix a label to his product certifying that it is in compliance with the requirements of applicable Federal regulations. You should check the trailer that you purchase to make certain there is a certification label. Part 567.4(d) specifies that the certification label for trailers shall be affixed to a location on the forward half of the left side, such that it is easily readable from outside the vehicle without moving any part of the vehicle.

There are no Federal regulations concerning the connection of trailers to trucks or other vehicles. Nevertheless, from a safety stand point it is important that you ascertain the hauling capacity of your truck-trailer system in order to avoid overloading that could create potential safety hazards. You should obtain information from the manufacturer concerning the "tongue weight" of the trailer when fully loaded, and relate it to the gross axle weight ratings of your towing vehicle, found on its certification label on the door or door post. The trailer manufacturer may also have further recommendations as to the capacity of the vehicle needed to tow one of his trailers safely.

Please contact us if we can of any further assistance.

YOURS TRULY,

EASTERN TURTLE TOP

TO: U.S. Gov't-Dept of Transportation National Transportation Safety Board General Info.

SUBJECT: Trailer Safety Date: Jan. 6, 1976

Gentlemen: I would like to know what Federal Standards apply to the building of an 18' pure type horse/stock trailer combination. I am in the process of ordering one from a company in Ohio (ARK) and want to be certain it is a safe carrier - including the connection to my pick-up truck. Can you help me to ascertain what is considered safest for our personal safety and the safety of others on the road? Thank you. (P.S. This transfer will haul 4-Horses or 6 (11001b) show cattle ----)

Sincerly, Georgette A. Sears