Trailers & Tow Vehicles: Ask all your questions here! How-To, Safety, etc

[buddman (AKA Mick)]

What abbout fenders???

[BIG DOG]

i'm not sure if you can do wide load on the weekend  or after dark   ? 

[4x4xdodgeman]

you can on sat day but not sunday, not after dark.  and when it comes to holiday weekend, you cann't haul after 3:00 the friday before the weekend.  I think on question on fenders no because all you is mud flaps. lowboys don't have anything on top of the tires. semi you just need mud flaps.

[cato699]

So do I have to have a Mdot # for me to haul my bogger?

[4x4xdodgeman]

no   

['the DON']

how do they do the weight limit ? can i be over weight hauling my bogger ?

[ToughBowtieTruck]

how do they do the weight limit ? can i be over weight hauling my bogger ?

You aren't allowed to exceed the weight ratings set by the manufacturer of the vehicle. No matter what add-ons the vehicle has, the D.O.T. goes by the factory-assigned ratings that vehicle's VIN has.

Yes, you can be overweight if you are beyond your tow rating/ or tongue/pin weight limit or axle rating limits.

All sorts of stuff they can get you for.

['the DON']

i had a combined weight of 21k when i went to yankee lake my dually says 19,000 gcvwr i think .

[ToughBowtieTruck]

i had a combined weight of 21k when i went to yankee lake my dually says 19,000 gcvwr i think .

If you load it properly, you probably won't have any issues. It's the people with excessive tongue/pin weight or excessive weight on the trailer axles that get attention.

[Hammerlane]

i had a combined weight of 21k when i went to yankee lake my dually says 19,000 gcvwr i think .

then you were over gross.. which surley put you over on your axles too.

gcvwr = Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating  (thats dually, trailer and load combined)

[mudboggincrazy]

i got pulled over a few yrs back and the state cop said i had 2 have fenders on the trailer and of coarse i didnt at  the time but i got a few tickets from him because i got cocky just like he did   i just dont take from a holes and he was a ahole

[73chevytruck]

I'm building a trailer. So what about lights. What are required? I have the 2 tail lights so far. And plan to put 3 red marker lights aross the back. And what about the reflector tape. Is it required and how many inches and stuff apart? The trailers 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. Getting close to getting the deck ready to put on plan on getting it weighed in a few weeks then going to get it registered and get the plate.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

I'm building a trailer. So what about lights. What are required? I have the 2 tail lights so far. And plan to put 3 red marker lights aross the back. And what about the reflector tape. Is it required and how many inches and stuff apart? The trailers 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. Getting close to getting the deck ready to put on plan on getting it weighed in a few weeks then going to get it registered and get the plate.

First page has the read-up on lights and reflectors and placement.

[marshall]

thanks for the good info!

but what do you do if you lose the trailer Registration? lost the paper still have plate?

Go to Secretary of State and they will print you off a new registration. So long as it is in your name. Replacement plate is 5 bucks, I don't think there is a fee for just another copy of registration though.

mine is unreadable, been in my wallet 10 years. just used it last summer, luckily the cop didnt care.

[73chevytruck]

I'm building a trailer. So what about lights. What are required? I have the 2 tail lights so far. And plan to put 3 red marker lights aross the back. And what about the reflector tape. Is it required and how many inches and stuff apart? The trailers 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. Getting close to getting the deck ready to put on plan on getting it weighed in a few weeks then going to get it registered and get the plate.

First page has the read-up on lights and reflectors and placement.

ive looked all around on there and cant find anything about any of it,

[ToughBowtieTruck]

Lights and Reflectors/Reflective Material and Inspection Guidelines Based on Michigan Rule:

Michigan divides trailers into two different sections when concerning lights. They are: Under 3,000 gvw (weight+trailer load) and, Over 3,000 gvw (weight+trailer load). Any trailer, besides pole trailers, will fall under one of these sections.

NOTE: The Michigan law states that while these are the minimum requirements, any additional lights on the trailer must be kept operational. For instance, if the law says "at least one" and you have two but only one is working, you still can be ticketed for it not working.

NOTE: These rules are based on Michigan Rule. More may be required to meet Federal D.O.T rules, or rules on trailers used commercially.


The requirements to pass inspection are:

Under 3,000 gvw:
-At least One tail light
-Two reflectors facing the rear, on each side
-Brake light (required ONLY if load or trailer will block vehicle brake lights)
-license plate light
-tires with at least 2/32" tread, D.O.T. approved and in good order.

Over 3,000 gvw:
-At least One tail light
-At least One brake light
-license plate light
-Two FRONT clearance lamps, one on each side facing the FRONT, amber
-Two REAR clearance lamps, one on each side facing the REAR (two taillights on the sides count)
-Two side marker lamps ON EACH SIDE (two facing the driver's side, at the front and rear, two facing the passenger side, at the front and rear)
-Two reflectors on EACH SIDE (two facing the driver's side, at the front and rear, two facing the passenger side, at the front and rear)
-Two reflectors facing the REAR on each side
-tires with at least 2/32" tread, D.O.T. approved and in good order.
ALSO: If trailer is 5,500lbs gvw or more (trailer and load/trailer rating) Brakes are required on all wheels.


Source: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/TR-54_38480_7.pdf

And, if using reflective tape, 50% of sides and rear required.

[Bowtie972]

For the reflectors on the sides and rear, would it be amber for the front and red for the rear like marker lights?

[ToughBowtieTruck]

For the reflectors on the sides and rear, would it be amber for the front and red for the rear like marker lights?

Yep, red is only allowed on the rear sides and rear facing.  Or use reflector tape as a substitute. Most "trailer light kits" you find have built-in reflective lenses though, so those should count as reflectors as well.

[marshall]

chaining a vehicle down in 4 points, can i use 2 chains to do this? or do i need 4?

[ToughBowtieTruck]

chaining a vehicle down in 4 points, can i use 2 chains to do this? or do i need 4?

Supposed to have 4 chains and binders. Equipment needs the chains to be crossed.

If one chain fails, you at least have 1 other chain to hold the load. If you only have two chains, one fails, the load is no longer secure.



VERY, VERY, cheap insurance.