Pennsylvania Code
Title 67 - TRANSPORTATION
Part I - Department of Transportation
Subpart A - Vehicle Code Provisions
Article VII - Vehicle Characteristics
Chapter 175 - VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTION
Subchapter G - RECREATIONAL, SEMI AND UTILITY TRAILERS
Section 175.130 - Inspection procedure

Universal Citation: 67 PA Code ยง 175.130

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) External inspection. An external inspection of a trailer over 3,000 pounds registered gross weight shall be performed as follows:

(1) Verify ownership, legality and proof of financial responsibility. For the purpose of this subchapter, ownership and legality shall be proven by a vehicle registration card, certificate of title or manufacturer's statement of origin. When a vehicle being held for resale is presented for inspection by a dealer licensed to sell vehicles in this Commonwealth, a VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney evidencing the dealership's acquisition of the vehicle, or both, may be presented instead of a vehicle registration card, certificate of title or manufacturer's statement of origin. Reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) When vehicle ownership and legality are demonstrated by presentation of certificate of title, manufacturer's statement of origin, VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney:
(A) The VIN is not in agreement with the certificate of title, manufacturer's statement of origin, VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney. Exception: If only one digit is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the owner provides evidence that the appropriate Department form has been completed to correct the error or transposition.

(B) The VIN plate is not securely fastened or is defaced, misplaced or missing.

(ii) When vehicle ownership and legality are demonstrated by presentation of vehicle registration card:
(A) The license plate is not in agreement with the numbers on the vehicle registration card. Exception: If only one digit is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the owner provides evidence that the appropriate Department form has been completed to correct error or transposition.

(B) The license plate is hanging loosely from its mounting bracket.

(C) The license plate is obscured so that the numbers cannot be identified.

(D) The license plate lamp, if so equipped, does not illuminate the license plate.

(iii) A registered vehicle only, if any of the following apply:
(A) The license plate is not in agreement with the number on the registration certificate. Exception: If only one digit is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the owner provides evidence that the appropriate department form has been completed to correct error or transposition.

(B) The license plate is hanging loosely from its mounting bracket.

(C) The license plate is obscured so that the numbers cannot be identified.

(D) The license plate lamp, if so equipped, does not illuminate the license plate.

(2) Check the glazing and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) Approved safety glazing or rigid plastic is not used in every window or wing except in house trailers.

(ii) The glass or rigid plastic is shattered or broken or has sharp edges.

(iii) A trailer designed for passengers does not have safety glazing or rigid plastic.

(3) Check door operation, including the tailgate and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The doors are not on the vehicle if originally fitted by manufacturer.

(ii) The doors, including the tailgate, cannot be closed securely.

(iii) Tailgate or equivalent is not on the vehicle, unless removed for the addition of optional equipment that is present at the time of inspection.

(4) Check the lamps and lenses and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) An exterior bulb or sealed beam, if originally equipped or installed, fails to light properly, except ornamental lights.

(ii) The turn signal lamps do not flash between 60-120 flashes per minute.

(iii) The turn signal lamps do not properly indicate right or left when so switched.

(iv) The back-up lamps do not turn off automatically when the vehicle goes forward.

(v) The lamp shows a color contrary to law as specified in lighting chart-Tables II-IV (relating to required motor vehicle lighting equipment; location of required equipment; and required motor vehicle lighting equipment).

(vi) A lamp or filament indicated at the switch position does not light when the correct switch indicates the lamp should be on.

(vii) A lamp has a missing or broken lens.

(viii) A required lamp is missing.

(ix) Auxiliary equipment is placed on, in or in front of a lamp.

(x) Detachable electrical connections are not contained in the cable or cables or entirely within a substantially constructed protection device.

(b) Internal inspection. An internal inspection of a trailer over 3,000 pounds registered gross weight shall be performed as follows. Check the flooring and reject if any of the following apply:

(i) The flooring and floor beds are not in a condition to support cargo.

(ii) On passenger-carrying trailers, reject if any of the following apply:
(A) The flooring and floor beds are not substantially constructed to support occupants and cargo. The floor pan is rusted through to cause hazard to occupants or to permit exhaust gases to enter passenger compartment.

(B) The step well or floor is cluttered or worn so as to present tripping hazard.

(C) The guard rails or grab rails are loose or fastening parts are missing.

(D) The emergency exit is not easily accessible.

(E) The inside or outside quick release mechanism on emergency doors or windows on passenger-carrying trailer fail to function properly or open accidently.

(c) Beneath the vehicle inspection. A beneath the vehicle inspection of a trailer over 3,000 pounds registered gross weight shall be performed as follows:

(1) Inspect the tires and wheels and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) Any tire has two adjacent treads with less than 2/32-inch tread remaining at any point.

(ii) The tire is worn so that tread wear indicators contact road in any two adjacent grooves.

(iii) Part of the ply or cord is exposed.

(iv) A tire has been repaired with blow-out patch or boot.

(v) There is a bump, bulge or separation.

(vi) A tire is marked "not for highway use," "for racing purposes only" or "unsafe for highway use," or has any similar designation.

(vii) There are other conditions or markings reasonably believed to render tire unsafe for highway use.

(viii) A tire has been regrooved or recut below original tread design depth.

(ix) A tire extends beyond body line, a tire is smaller than the manufacturer's recommended minimum size or below the manufacturer's recommended load rating or a tire makes contact with the body or chassis.

(x) Tires on same axle are not the same size or type of construction-bias, belted or radial.

(xi) The wheel nuts or bolts are missing or loose or have improper thread engagement.

(xii) The stud or bolt holes are worn out of round.

(xiii) Part of the wheel is bent, cracked, welded or damaged so as to affect safe operation of vehicle.

(xiv) Studded tires are in use after April 15 and before November 1.

(xv) The diameter of duals is not within 3/8 inch of each other.

(xvi) An axle has missing tires or rims.

(2) Inspect the vehicle frame and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The vehicle frame is not in solid condition.

(ii) A repair is made with tape, tar paper or cloth, or is made in another temporary manner.

(iii) The frame components are missing, cracked, rotted, broken or in deteriorated or dangerous condition.

(iv) There is no rear end protrusion which is within 24 inches of the rear of the trailer and within 30 inches of the ground and within 18 inches of each side.

(v) Torn metal or other loose or dislocated parts protrude from the surface of body.

(vi) The tailgate or doors are broken or sagging so that the doors cannot be tightly closed.

(vii) The landing gear parts are broken or missing and the gear is not operating properly.

(viii) The rear wheel shields or mudflaps are not mounted properly. Every trailer must be equipped with rear wheel shields to bar water or other substances thrown from rear wheels at tangents exceeding 22 1/2 degrees, measured from road surface, from passing in straight line to rear.

(ix) The king pin has excessive wear.

(x) There are cracks in the contact area on the fifth wheel plate.

(xi) An adjustable axle assembly has locking pins missing or not engaged.

(xii) A torsion bar spring is broken.

(xiii) A part of a torque, radius or tracking component assembly or a part used for attaching the same to the vehicle frame or axle is cracked, loose, broken or missing. This subparagraph does not apply to loose bushings in torque or track rods.

(3) Inspect the braking system.
(i) Reject if one or more of the following apply:
(A) The bonded linings are less than 2/32 inch at the thinnest point.

(B) The riveted linings are less than 1/32 inch above the rivet head at the thinnest point.

(C) The lining on a semitrailer is less than 5/16 inch at the center of the shoe.

(D) The lining is broken; not firmly attached to the shoe; or contaminated with oil, grease or another substance that would affect proper brake operation.

(E) There are substantial cracks on the friction surface of a drum extending to an open edge.

(F) There is wear to such an extent that the brake cam is on end or the cam has turned over.

(G) The brake shoe rollers are worn and flattened so as to interfere with brake operation.

(H) The air chamber push rod travel exceeds maximum stroke allowance. See Chart 4 (relating to brake chamber push rod travel (typical)) for a drawing of the air chamber push rod.

(I) The hydraulic hoses or tubing leaks; is flattened, restricted, insecurely fastened or improperly retained; or has exposed cords.

(J) The brake hoses, lines or tubing is leaking, chaffed, restricted, crimped, cracked or broken.

(K) The surge brake system is leaking.

(L) There is leaking in the lines or cylinders, reservoirs, hydraulic, vacuum or air brake systems.

(M) There is no control from the cab of the towing vehicle.

(N) The brakes are not equalized to stop the vehicle from swerving when tested in combination with the trailer.

(O) The brakes fail to apply automatically on disconnection with the tractor.

(P) The surge brake system is defective.

(Q) The maximum amperage on the electric brakes is more than 20% above or more than 30% below the brake manufacturers' maximum current rating.

(R) All wheels are not equipped with brakes.

(S) The drums are scored deeper than .060 inch.

(T) The brake hoses bulge or swell under application of pressure.

(U) The connecting hoses are improperly joined; for example, a splice made by sliding the hose ends over a piece of tubing and clamping the hose to the tube.

(ii) The brake lining from one side of each axle shall be examined.

(4) Inspect the air suspension system and reject if the system is leaking or deflated.

(d) Road test. Perform a road test of a trailer over 3,000 pounds registered gross weight and reject if the vehicle is not capable of stopping within the maximum stopping distance prescribed in Table I or swerves so that any part leaves the 12-foot lane.

The provisions of this §175.130 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521, 4702 and 6103.

This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 175.123 (relating to braking systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.124 (relating to tires and wheels); 67 Pa. Code § 175.125 (relating to lighting and electrical systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.127 (relating to body); 67 Pa. Code § 175.128 (relating to chassis); 67 Pa. Code § 175.203 (relating to braking systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.206 (relating to glazing); 67 Pa. Code § 175.207 (relating to mirrors); and 67 Pa. Code § 175.208 (relating to body).

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