Trailer guide lines?

[robrob]

Hello eplayans!

On the DMV page there is reference to a separate trailer license, but I can't seem to find any additional documentation about trailer rules/guidelines/expectations. Anyone have any experience with these? Curious about a design idea that revolves around a trailer (perhaps two) in a big way, and I'd hate to find out down the line it's not going to fly. Thanks!

[Elliot]

Ask the DMV. It should not be hard to find their e-mail address.

What I know is that their primary concern may be to keep people from being pinched between the units.

[gyre]

There should be a set of rules somewhere.

Safety will get attention, especially between the front vehicle and trailer, how that area is lit and set up, in particular.
Naturally trailer lighting, even if it is just a generator.

[Captain Goddammit]

The only specific rule I can think of is that the hitch must be well illuminated. And it does require it's own separate license.

[robrob]

cool. i'll shoot dmv a note. but while i have your ear... question 2: why aren't more MV's built on tractors?

I'm not an engineer or anything, but my hunch is they are kinda perfect for this kind of stuff- they seem fairly simple mechanically, and designed to lug around some weight at slowish speeds. Am I overlooking an obvious reason why they aren't an ideal MV platform?

[theCryptofishist]

They may not be as easy to come by.

[robrob]

Not sure why this thread was moved as it's about planning/constructing a mutant vehicle?

[trilobyte]

I'm giving this a nudge to the Transportation board, since that's a better fit for general preparation and construction questions. The year-specific MV boards are intended more for announcing specific projects for that year's events.

As for the questions, yes definitely get in touch with [email protected] early to understand the issues and challenges. It's not impossible, but they do face a lot of scrutiny for safety. On the tractor front, I think it has to do with what people have or can get their hands on. Used cars and trucks and golf carts and such are all pretty readily available. Buses not as much, but either people are drawn to them or MV builders find 'em cheap at auction or wherever they're looking. To me a tractor would be a great idea, it's a machine designed for workhorse use and heavy loads, just not very high speeds. The down side would probably be expense - both of the base vehicle itself, but for the cost of hauling (since they're not likely to be street legal).

[gyre]

Here is a good starting point, especially if it will be on the road.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/standar ... rpstr.html

This is probably incomplete, and there are state laws in addition.

You are allowed to exceed minimum requirements.
I think reflective striping is more important than lighting.
On trailers where it is not specifically stated, silver can be used on the sides, probably rear.
There are other high visibility colors too.
Solid red without silver might be an issue on the sides.
1" solid stripes can be stacked parallel.
Most authorities are happy with anything highly visible.

Side turn signals should be installed on every trailer, only required on some.
You have more flexibility when it is not required lighting, such as using unconventional lighting.
It must not be confusing.

As mentioned, the brcdmv will want good lighting of the hitch area and trailer.
The brcdmv will not check for DOT standards, only safety on the playa.

Check your axle weight rating.

[Captain Goddammit]

That on-road DMV shit has nothing to do with it.
Mutant Vehicles and their trailers are not necessarily street legal vehicles.
Everyone knows what you need on the street, the question is what will fly on the playa, and that's very different than what flies on the street.
You don't need the fucking reflectors or turn signals or red tail lights or any of that, take it from someone (me) who actually does this stuff. You need "radical illumination" on all sides, and the hitch must be well lit - things that are NOT on that chart of highway-legal items.

[gyre]

Yeah, just what I said.

[Captain Goddammit]

So why bother with listing all the street-legal stuff? Question was about a playa MV.

[gyre]

Some people bring trailers in on the road.
Might as well start with avoiding a ticket.

While you can avoid issues for years, the enforcement seems a little nutzo near the playa.
Also, I recently learned that the dot can stop light cars and trailers and fine them.
It's rare I think, but apparently common enough in mississippi with their stricter rules and high fines.
I know someone that was fined for having an extra light that was burned out.
They were trying to get him for commercial use, which he wasn't doing.
I do hear of that with trucks in Tennessee a lot.

$100 for a non-required light out
Real jackassery.
They require brakes on 1500 pounds, and I think brakes on all axles.

I think you know why it's a good idea to avoid problems with the dot.

Nope, not required on the playa.

[BBadger]

So Gyre, when someone asks about making costumes, are you going to chime in about ways to tastefully cover up costumes to ensure people aren't cited for exhibitionism off playa like at a Christmas party or something? It's nice that you give these semi-related-but-off-the-mark tips on everything, but often these out-of-context tips just end up diluting the topic and wasting space.

[gyre]

I thought I was pretty clear.
Not sure what costumes have to do with it.
DOT rules apply on the road.
Some people tow their trailers on the road.
I said all of this in the first post.
Repeating what I already said is just trolling.
Anyone getting tickets for costumes driven down the highway?

None of my light trailers have ever met the rules, and I never had a problem, but I have learned the potential fines can be staggering.
More importantly, they can halt your trip right there if they impound you.
Right or wrong, mvs report being stopped on the playa by police, and it might help there to be road legal.

Bbadger, surely you can spot a troll?

[Captain Goddammit]

Wow... you really don't get it...

[Captain Goddammit]

I should be charitable and explain it.
The reference to costumes was a metaphor.
The relative importance of making a Burning Man costume default-world socially acceptible as opposed to playa-worthy was an illustration of how important making a playa MV street legal is.
That's what costumes have to do with it. It was a pretty good metaphor.

Everyone knows how much naked body you can or can't show at a company Christmas party, just like everyone knows what lights and equipment a street vehicle needs.
The topic on hand is what is gonna be needed for playa use.

And about trolls: if there were someone who constantly googled stuff then acted as though they were an expert on things they never do themselves, and told tall tales about having and doing things they could never produce a single grainy cell phone picture of, and there didn't seem to be a single photo of that person ever even on the playa at all... well, if there were someone like that I would dare say they came pretty close to being a troll.