Red flags required? 48' trailer 2.5 overhang

A box, mounted on the front of the trailer, that stores chains. Could that be considered: "non-cargo-carrying equipment.. necessary for safe and efficient operation.. " ?

 

Completely seperate from if it needs flags or not:
Some of the older wagons I see cruising up in eastern mass have a tray/box setup like that, off the front of the headboard.
I don't like it:
1. Can't hang off the front
2. Means you gotta climb up on the wagon n around/over the headboard to get at the chains
3. Guys proud up that the tarp is already up top: which it is, but its in an open storage space n therefore has road grime, water/whatever moisture n #### on it already

I don't like things stored in places less accessible than other options: ie undermounted boxes.

My $0.02

 

I probably shouldn't have posted that in this thread, you're right, it is completely different than the flagging issue. I have read that many times, and finally, it just clicked in my little brain. I DO have chain "racks" on the front of my trailer, with boxes under the rack to hold the coiled up chain. I'm not sure what you mean with #1), unless your talking about chaining a load while the trailer is unhooked? #2), my way around, is that I have a step on the front of my trailer, so if I'm on the deck, its an easy swing around the bulkhead to the cat walk. #3) I do have a "tarp" rack above the chains, but I don't own a tarp! Yep, they get grime on them. Far from an ideal place, but it works good enough for me... Until I get another box under the trailer. I have the box, but its been sitting in the same place for almost a year now, and that place isn't on the trailer like it should be!

My question, or thought... was that I also have a removable beaver tail for this flatbed. The 48' trailer, with the tail on, measures 53'. But with the chain boxes on the front make it 53' 8". Buddy that does my annuals says that aint good! 53' is 53'. But, that paragraph makes me wonder if maybe I am legal! Whether I am or not, I'm not going to change anything. I only use the tail 3 or 4 times a year, and its always local stuff.

 

I was saying it more in reference to what I was saying, not what you had said

Guess it's just personal preference: I don't like things up high to get at: reaching, stretching, balancing, all while holding up something heavy (tarp or chain). Plus I can imagine a end somehow bouncing out n snaking it's way down n around a yoke n tearing #### up bad.

Idk about your length issue: I'd figure a cop that's looking to write a ticket might notice: idk that anyone else necessarily would.