hotshot pa state inspections requirements

Just get some good angle iron and lumber, build your own flatbed. Plenty of truck owners in NW PA do this when the original bed rusts out completely. Totally legal, and inspectable.

If your inspection station gives you issue over this, you live too far East or South.

 

Pennsylvania is a fickle state with our safety inspections. I have been a PA inspection mechanic since 1992. The stations that are requiring a bed a technically correct unless you have done the reconstructed vehicle title process.

PA has title branding, yours is most likely still a pickup or TK not tractor TT. This means it must have a body on it to pass state inspection.

Technically PA requires the reconstructed title and MV-426 inspection simply to have a 5th wheel hitch installed in a pickup truck.

Finding a station to look the other way will be difficult -they will lose their station license and the mechanic can lose his driver license for fraudulent inspections, and since you will be hotshotting you are likely to be inspected roadside by a Trooper that knows the rules. Most of the Troopers that monitor and certify the state inspection stations also work as motor carrier officers.

 

Out of curiosity, would installing a deck plate on the frame constitute a flat bed?

I realize it’s on a couple feet wide, but i guess you could still technically tie stuff down to it.

 

And they are tough about rust compared to most places. Right across the state line from me in Broome county ny I'm amazed at what passes for inspection.

Half the old quarry pickups around here have the angle iron/wood combo. I'd go that route myself.

 

I would give that to you, as long as it has functional fenders, proper taillights and you fashioned some sort of rear bumper piece for when not hauling the trailer.

It is easier in PA to have a flatbed or stake pocket body than a bare chassis when using a pickup truck as a hauler. There is so safety rationale behind it, other than rear bumper crash protection for someone rearending you.

 

My god with the number of used custom flat beds out there, just get one for $500 and put it on there. Problem solved.

 

Find a lick and stick inspection station... every town here in PA has one.