Too Many Tail Lights??

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Nootherids, Feb 18, 2011.

  1. Nootherids

    Nootherids Light Load Member

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    Ok guys (and gals) so I was just talking to a gentleman with 30 years in the trailer sales business and we got to talking about adding more lights to the rear of the trailer, for better visibility. He informed me that there is an obscure law in place that there is supposed to be a distinct separation of the middle lights and the edge lights primarily on the top (talking about box trailers, vans/reefers/etc). Something about a delineating factor for vehicles behind to gauge the actual width of the trailer.

    He mentioned that they are supposed to have the 3 middle lights and the 2 outer lights and that's it. He proved this when a previous client of his demanded that more lights be installed at purchase time even though he recommended not to install them, then less than 6 months later the same customer came back asking to remove the lights because he had gotten several citations for this violation.

    I was looking into lighting up my trailer for enhanced visibility (and looks) but this information is causing me to question this move. I see a lot of people out there with this type of modification and was wondering if anybody in here could shed some light on the actual legality of this mod.
     
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  3. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    I'll try to find actual reg shortly--but this was enacted for all trailers mfg after 05 or 06 something like that--so most manufacturers wont add--not to say alot of us O/Os don't still do it anyway! haven't heard of anyone busted yet BUT w/the current state of economic affairs and added cvsa2010 hassles wouldn't surprise me to see more problems--mines an 04 and pre dates law--Hope this helps!
    Just my$.02
     
    Nootherids Thanks this.
  4. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    One thing to remember when thinking about adding lights. If your truck or trailer has the lamp in place, it MUST work. So when you add lights, you are adding to the number of things that you can get nailed for when they fail.
     
  5. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Very good point Don--BTW checked all through FMSCA and can't find anything other than old regs requiring--two red lites at edge of vehicle rear--then a bunch of footnotes--If anyone else can find--it would be nice-have e-mails out to 2 dealers I do biz w/but right now off to the surgeon for 1st week update on spinal surgery! So not blowing you off but gota go for now!
     
  6. Nootherids

    Nootherids Light Load Member

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    My wifey is also pushing me to add more for better visibility. Too many dangerous inattentive drivers out there. But I have I am looking at a 2003 reefer with brand new engine so if that rule directly states that it only applies to 2005+ then that would be good news. Although I'm sure that 2005 rule might only apply to manufacturer mods and maybe any and all after-market add-ons may be illegal regardless.

    Very true! My other option is to just upgrade the current lights to big and brighter ones.
     
  7. Nootherids

    Nootherids Light Load Member

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    Hey brother...:biggrin_25514: a prayer for you on your surgery and recovery. :)
     
    'olhand Thanks this.
  8. rbht

    rbht Heavy Load Member

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    If i remember right you can not have more than what the dot regs say you need across the back in the same row,ie can not do 4,5 and 4 and so on but you can have extra lights below the required lights and if i'am not mistaken they put the law on hold because of all the fuss over it. My flatbed has 33 lights and i've never had an issue with the dot. They where busting are butts for having more than the standard 5 lights across the cab and they have stoped that to.
     
  9. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    Its no more than 9 lights in the back for brake, tail and turn.

    3-3-3 is all you are supposed to have.

    I new a guy that had those little 2" lights along the bottom of his bumper from side to side and kept getting a ticket in IN for them. I didn't think it was illegal to have them there? Anyway, after he took them out he got a ticket for no lights being in the holes...lol
     
  10. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I remember when I first started it was a big deal as the sequence is suppose to designate a trailer from behind. But how many 4 wheelers know that? They hardly know the other rules.

    But what I seen and not heard today it's one thing that's overlooked unless some DOT guy is having a bad day. Whether you have five lights or fifty, you know it's an 18 wheeler.
     
  11. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    So if one has 3 left, 3 center, and 3 right, with the outermost only active for turn signals, and the outer 3 on each side only active for brake lights, he is legal, right?

    What about the vans/livestock trailers that are putting turn signal/brake lights up on the top corners of the trailer? Personally, I like it for safety reasons. You can see from a distance if the truck is in the turn lane or not while in the city, or on the freeway, that trucker is going to hit his brakes before the 4 wheelers will, little more heads up from a long way back and other cars blocking standard lights, especially when I am not in my truck and am viewing the road from my car.
     
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