Warning to 5th wheel tailgate trucks (one tons only)

[VicR]

Just out of curiousity, what counts in the 80 inches? I believe many of the popular tow mirrors (CIPA, Bestop, Powervision) will make a truck exceed 80 inches.



-Vic

 

[SnoKing]

Just out of curiousity, what counts in the 80 inches? I believe many of the popular tow mirrors (CIPA, Bestop, Powervision) will make a truck exceed 80 inches.



-Vic

As I posted, that is a really good question. Strange how trailers built in the 90's had the three front center lights and the newer ones do not. Someone knows something we don't! SNOKING

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Bob it's funny, but yes they could ticket you for too many lights. Non commercial I would not worry.



My truck is over 80" wide by the FACTORY tow mirrors. Go by the body of the truck.



You don't need 3 center lights in the front probably because they expect the truck will have them. I am not sure on that.

 

[cojhl2]

I have looked thru the FMCSR a number of times in the past but could not find where additional lights are described or controlled.



Example: where 3 center amber lights are required on the cab,, the only ref I remember seeing is in the figures no mention of rules (the addl two on the cab edge)



How about the additional marker lights along the side of these trailers. I don't see them mentioned anywhere. What should the colors be etc?? Only the one in the center (amber) is mentioned from what I found.



How about the markers we have vertical up the Headache rack??



I don't have a FMCSR handy here at home,, I am only going from the research I've done in the past regarding these questions. I have enver found an answer. .



Thanks for the help. .

Still looking for an answer if anyone knows,, thank you. .

 

[PatrickCampbell]

What is the question? I posted a link that has it all:



http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...?rule_toc=762&section=393.11&section_toc=1859

 

[zippinbye]

Cab Light Delete

As I side note, I presume Dodge has changed the order codes since I had my 2004. 5 3500 SRW. At that time, you ordered a 3500 and selected "DRW delete" to get a SRW. I went all the way to DC corporate to try and get a 3500 SWR without the lights. When they said "denied," I relaized my built-to-order rig would be one notch away from "perfect. " I HATED the roof top lights before I owned them. It's bizarre that I grew accustomed to them and now actually like them! Simply put, the DC computer build system could not comprehend that body-wise the truck was the same as a 2500, and assumed any 3500 exceeded the 80 inch threshold. Perhaps now a 3500 SRW is a separate animal? Funny how I'm not jealous when I see a new 3500 SWR going down the road sans cab lights!

 

[jwduke]

What is the question? I posted a link that has it all:



http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...?rule_toc=762&section=393.11&section_toc=1859

Everything I see here mentions the word "commercial vehicle" quite heavily. I have never had any problems "yet".



I see though Nebraska is cracking down really heavy on 3/4 & 1t pickups hauling anything lately.

 

[4xquadrod]

I bought my enclosed car trailer in 2002. It is 102" wide and has no lights on the front face, just the front markers on the side.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

warning to 5th wheel....

This may answer a few of the questions ask. From FMCSA 393. 11





b) Conspicuity Systems. Each trailer of 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more overall width, and with a GVWR over 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds), manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, except pole trailers and trailers designed exclusively for living or office use, shall be equipped with either retroreflective sheeting that meets the requirements of FMVSS No. 108 (S5. 7. 1), reflex reflectors that meet the requirements FMVSS No. 108 (S5. 7. 2), or a combination of retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors that meet the



Footnote-15

(1) For the purposes of Section 393. 11, the term "overall width" refers to the nominal design dimension of the widest part of the vehicle, exclusive of the signal lamps, marker lamps, outside rearview mirrors, flexible fender extensions, and mud flaps.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I just checked out a friends 2005 Dodge 3500 SRW. His truck doesnt have the 3 center lights. Why?

 

[Grizzly]

Within a week after purchasing my 95 Dodge/Cummins DRW I removed the standard tailgate and installed a chrome V-notch vented tailgate. I removed the center three light set from the tailgate and installed it just under the vented tailgate so that it would not interfere with opening of the vented tailgate. I reinstalled the original tailgate with the light set 10 years later when I sold the truck. The chrome V-notch tailgate, which fits the 2nd generation Dodge, is for sale.

 

[PAllyn]

Only on Dually's. One ton MegaCabs they are not required.

 

[JBee]

Interesting info. I know for a fact in 06 on 1 tons the cab lights, or as I call them "cowboy lights" were an option that I would rather not have had ($80). It'd cost me alot more to have them removed. But I questioned the reason a 3500 SRW would have them and the 2500 SRW wouldn't. What purpose do they serve. I hear them referred as clearance lights, but if I'm that close to hitting something they aren't going to save me but rather just knock them off. And I'm trying to figure out what purpose the lights on the tailgate have except looking cool if you like lights. Your trailer covers it up anyhow. I'll read more on the DOT reg's but I'm not sure if they'll actually state the purpose other than "you're required to have them" due to weight capabilities.

 

[SnoKing]

Interesting info. I know for a fact in 06 on 1 tons the cab lights, or as I call them "cowboy lights" were an option that I would rather not have had ($80). It'd cost me alot more to have them removed. But I questioned the reason a 3500 SRW would have them and the 2500 SRW wouldn't. What purpose do they serve. I hear them referred as clearance lights, but if I'm that close to hitting something they aren't going to save me but rather just knock them off. And I'm trying to figure out what purpose the lights on the tailgate have except looking cool if you like lights. Your trailer covers it up anyhow. I'll read more on the DOT reg's but I'm not sure if they'll actually state the purpose other than "you're required to have them" due to weight capabilities.

They are there to signal a vehicle that is more than 80" wide. SNOKING

 

[Grizzly]

People who purchase a 2500 order the optional clearance lights because they think they are MACHO lights.

 

[JBee]

People who purchase a 2500 order the optional clearance lights because they think they are MACHO lights.

More like Macho Libre :-laf

 

[RWWinslow]

The entire set of DOT FMCSA Rules and Regulations can be found at the following website:



http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/rules-regulations.htm



Finally, be aware that each state can also set up more restrictive rules and regulations. Oregon is a perfect example of a state that has some very strict temporary licensing and permitting DOT requirements for . . . . . . RV'rs with a GCWR>10,000 lbs (a little fuzzy on the actual weight limit but you catch the drift).



Homeland Security and the desire to increase state revenue in any and all manners possible is driving this effort.

 

[FDrake]

no lights

When I bought my 1997 Dodge 3/4T CTD, it came with the front marker lights on the cab. When I bought my 2002 Dodge 3/4T CTD it did not. When I bought my 2004 Dodge 1T CTD it came with the cab marker lights. In no case did the tailgate have any marker lights. Each vehicle was/is a SRW long bed Club/Quad cab truck. I replaced each tailgate with a flow thru gate for 5th wheeling. There are no options or wiring in the truck to install additional lights on the tailgate. Unless I am using my truck commercially (I don't) then I do not see how I fall into any category that is in the law that requires those marker lights on the tailgate. Unless and until someone stops me to tell me that, I am not worrying about it.

Frank

 

[RustyJC]

It's really very simple. A SRW truck does not require the 3 tailgate marker lamps. A DRW truck, being over 80" wide, does require them.



Rusty

 

[cwsoules]

OK can someone tell me where I can see a picture of these lights? Cab lights, tailgate lights, clearance lights do not mean anything to me. My experience with Dodge dealers is that if I ask them they will not know what I'm talking about.