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Section 7: NHTSA Trailer Equipment Requirements
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe your trailer has a defect which could cause
a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Generac
Mobile.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation; and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
an individual problem between you, your GMASD, or
Generac Mobile.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:1-800-424-
9153), go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator
NHTSA
400 Seventh Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Tire Safety Information
The following section contains tire safety information as
required by 49 CFR 575.6. It will cover the following:
•
Tire
labeling,
explanation of each marking on tires provided with
the vehicle, and information about the location of
the Tire Identification Number (TIN);
•
Recommended tire inflation pressure, including a
description and explanation of:
– Recommended cold tire inflation pressure,
– The vehicle placard and tire inflation pressure
label and their location in the vehicle
– Adverse safety consequences of underinflations
(including tire failure), and
– Measuring and adjusting air pressure to achieve
proper inflation;
•
Glossary of tire terminology, including "cold tire
pressure", "maximum inflation pressure," and
"recommended inflation pressure," and other non-
technical terms;
•
Tire care, including maintenance and safety
practices;
•
Vehicle load limits, including a description and
explanation of:
– Locating
and
information, total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity, and cargo capacity,
Owner's Manual for Mobile Generator Sets
including
a
description
understanding
load
– Calculating total and cargo load capacities with
varying
quantitative examples showing/illustrating how
the vehicle's cargo and luggage capacity
decreases as the combined number and size of
occupants increases,
– Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load
capabilities,
– Adverse safety consequences of overloading on
handling and stopping and on tires.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit –
Trailer
Determining the load limits of a trailer includes more than
understanding the load limits of the tires alone. On all
trailers there is a Federal certification / VIN label that is
located on the forward half of the left (road) side of the
unit. This certification / VIN label will indicate the trailer's
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This is the most
weight the fully loaded trailer can weigh. It will also
provide the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). This is
the most a particular axle can weigh. If there are multiple
axles, the GAWR of each axle will be provided.
If your trailer has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less,
there is a vehicle placard located in the same location as
the certification label described above. This placard
provides tire and loading information. In addition, this
and
placard will show a statement regarding maximum cargo
capacity. Cargo can be added to the trailer, up to the
maximum weight specified on the placard. The combined
weight of the cargo is provided as a single number. In any
case, remember: the total weight of a fully loaded trailer
cannot exceed the stated GVWR.
For trailers with living quarters installed, the weight of
water and propane also need to be considered. The
weight of fully filled propane containers is considered part
of the weight of the trailer before it is loaded with cargo,
and is not considered part of the disposable cargo load.
Water, however, is a disposable cargo weight and is
treated as such. If there is a fresh water storage tank of
100 gallons, this tank when filled would weigh about 800
pounds. If more cargo is being transported, water can be
off-loaded to keep the total amount of cargo added to the
vehicle within the limits of the GVWR so as not to
overload the vehicle. Understanding this flexibility will
allow you, the owner, to make choices that fit your travel
needs.
When loading your cargo, be sure it is distributed evenly
to prevent overloading front to back and side to side.
Heavy items should be placed low and as close to the
limit
axle positions as reasonable. Too many items on one
side may overload a tire. The best way to know the actual
weight of the vehicle is to weigh it at a public scale. Talk
seating
configurations
including
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