Is a mudflap-less tractor while pulling a trailer legal?

I like that theory, I'm removing the headlights and tires now as we speak.

 

I was curious in the OP what regulation this can be found where a mudflap is not required on a tractor as long as it is pulling a trailer which has them. In theory, would this not apply also to reflective tape on the back of the tractor? Should it be a violation if the trailer it is pulling has all required reflective tape?

 

Believe it or not, mudflaps aren't even required by the FMCSA on the rear of the trailer! It is a state-by-state issue. Missouri and Texas want the mudflaps on the rear axle within 8" of the ground. Illinois says 12". Indiana has a formula to determine angle from the contact patch to the rear of the vehicle, so that with enough rear overhang mudflaps aren't required and the farther from the rear axle they are, the shorter they are required to be. Those are just 4 I know off the top of my head...so do your own research wherever you'll be running.

What the FMCSA does say, though, is that if you have mudflaps on the rear of the tractor then you must have reflective tape at the top of the mudflaps. No mudflaps means no reflective tape necessary.

 

Interesting how you can be perfectly legal, cross the state line and be in violation over something as simple as mudflap length. Something of that nature should be constant across the board for all states. I understand doing so would generate less violation revenue to the states so probably will never see the gray areas disappear like these. For the average joe, if you knew everything they (meaning state and federal reg makers) say you need to know, chances are you would be a lawyer and not a truck driver.

 

Fortunately mudflaps are nothing like KPRA laws, where it is impossible to be legal everywhere with a single setting because some states (Calif---ya) want the shortest wheelbase possible while others don't want that much tailswing. If your mudflaps are 4-6" from the ground, you won't be hassled anywhere you go. 8" from the ground is actually the closest to the ground I've seen required, but I haven't looked up the law in all 50 states.

 

Retro Reflective tape is required on the back of the cab.

 

Then there is places like Michigan that the height is measured only when at an angle. Mudflap laws are weird...
I did look up MI and OH (as those were the states I was in at the time) and both simply need mudflaps on behind the last tire.