ASKING FOR A FRIEND--CLEARANCE LIGHTS...

I'd also add, to get up to the top, buy a 30-40 foot 2" strap, roll it up, throw it (holding the hook end) over trailer, hook the hook to the frame rail, do the old gym climb from the other side (only works if you're relatively in shape granted) but if that's too hard, buy a rope ladder and modify it to make it work, I've had to do that to fix tarped loads at 13+foot plus on occasion, (more often someone didn't know the trick so it was me getting a free dinner in the truck stop)

 

I would of fixed them myself. While clearance and id lamps are not an oos violation, they are required and you will be cited for them not working if an officer sees them out. Csa changed the game, no longer are those minor things something you can put of till after you get the load delivered. now they are just as serious as the real safety items such as brakes and tires.

Random inspections do happen, rolling with a defect is playing Russian roulette with your employability.

 

Yes. Most good operators do.

 

What a crap shoot... You only need required lighting but you can be written up or given a failed inspection if one light is out, out of ignorance by the LEO/DOT.

It's easier in the long run, and less expensive, to fix the light. Dispatch won't understand because they only understand theory.

 

Clearance lights ARE required lighting.

 

Yes, but, how many are required?
If only one is required and i have three, two of which became unplugged on bumpy roads, should I be in violation?

 

Clearance lights are required to be at each corner. So 4 on the trailer and 2 on the truck. The three in the middle are identification lights. They are also required.

 

I did mention three lights so defaulting to identification lights is reasonable. Are three identification lights in the middle required or just one?

 

All 3 are required. The cluster of 3 is called id lights.

 

Well, not sure I could still do it, but probably... I used the trailer door hinges as a ladder (I used to rock climb), got up on top, and fixed that top front light myself. Completely and totally safe of course.