The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations prohibit drilling holes in the top or bottom rail flanges of a trailer frame, except as specified by the manufacturer. This restriction is in place to maintain the structural integrity of the frame and ensure its safety. Additionally, holes drilled in frame rail flanges that are not authorized by the manufacturer are considered a violation of DOT regulations.
Neither are legal. You can't drill new holes and leave the old ones in place.
1st picture has holes. It's not legal. They have to be welded over or plated. That's usually the manufacturer-suggested repair. It should have had a plate run across welded in place and drilled the same holes.
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations prohibit drilling holes in the top or bottom rail flanges of a trailer frame, except as specified by the manufacturer. This restriction is in place to maintain the structural integrity of the frame and ensure its safety. Additionally, holes drilled in frame rail flanges that are not authorized by the manufacturer are considered a violation of DOT regulations.
Any broken crossmembers that compromise the structural integrity of the trailer is an OOS violation.
This leaves it open to interpretation as to whether or not this cross member compromises the integrity of the trailer, but, judging by the pictures, it appears to be close to the axles, which could also compromise the wheel alignment.
I ended up running it without getting violated.
Lol, but also, this doesn't really mean anything. DOT enforcement is...patchy at best. We identify and avoid these sorts of things because of the issues they could cause. Not because we know FOR CERTAIN that they will cause issues.
No load is worth your life or the lives of others and hauling this risked both. It is OUR JOB to make sure OUR LOAD is safe for the highway.
That repair work is of such a quality that it is sure to draw attention if you get pulled.
How confident are you in the guy that did the repair doing it all to proper specifications because it will be a violation on YOUR CDL, not his trailer repair certification.
Whoever did that must have been smoking crack. They shouldn't be working on trailers. The structure is completely compromised. I wouldn't even want to walk in that trailer
Yes. That side rail needs to be replaced and can be an OOS violation. Also 2 or more broken or damaged crossmembers adjacent to each other is also an OOS violation.
deadpat03@reddit
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations prohibit drilling holes in the top or bottom rail flanges of a trailer frame, except as specified by the manufacturer. This restriction is in place to maintain the structural integrity of the frame and ensure its safety. Additionally, holes drilled in frame rail flanges that are not authorized by the manufacturer are considered a violation of DOT regulations.
Neither are legal. You can't drill new holes and leave the old ones in place.
Ornery_Ads@reddit
Picture 1: What are you talking about? They made a repair, of course it's legal to repair stuff.
Picture 2: Oh. Yeah. I ain't touching it.
deadpat03@reddit
1st picture has holes. It's not legal. They have to be welded over or plated. That's usually the manufacturer-suggested repair. It should have had a plate run across welded in place and drilled the same holes.
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations prohibit drilling holes in the top or bottom rail flanges of a trailer frame, except as specified by the manufacturer. This restriction is in place to maintain the structural integrity of the frame and ensure its safety. Additionally, holes drilled in frame rail flanges that are not authorized by the manufacturer are considered a violation of DOT regulations.
Outlaw11091@reddit
Technically, that's a broken cross member because it isn't secured.
This can compromise the trailer integrity and, I believe, is an OOS violation.
intilli4@reddit (OP)
I thought it was an OOS if it was three or more in a section? I ended up running it without getting violated.
lordnknn@reddit
Wrong!! You started getting violated as soon as you turned the truck on. By life by boss by paycheck by government. Six ways till Sunday. /s
Outlaw11091@reddit
FMCSA doesn't have a specific number.
Any broken crossmembers that compromise the structural integrity of the trailer is an OOS violation.
This leaves it open to interpretation as to whether or not this cross member compromises the integrity of the trailer, but, judging by the pictures, it appears to be close to the axles, which could also compromise the wheel alignment.
Lol, but also, this doesn't really mean anything. DOT enforcement is...patchy at best. We identify and avoid these sorts of things because of the issues they could cause. Not because we know FOR CERTAIN that they will cause issues.
No load is worth your life or the lives of others and hauling this risked both. It is OUR JOB to make sure OUR LOAD is safe for the highway.
Jaycool10@reddit
Integrity is Key
RealSharpNinja@reddit
Yes, but when they keys are lost folks will break on through.
Rothyn1@reddit
To the other side?
hotdog11inch@reddit
Run it till it buckle's in
Smart-Jeweler2284@reddit
Someone put new bolts in the cross member
Smart-Jeweler2284@reddit
Y would it be???
offsetbackingtoright@reddit
That repair work is of such a quality that it is sure to draw attention if you get pulled.
How confident are you in the guy that did the repair doing it all to proper specifications because it will be a violation on YOUR CDL, not his trailer repair certification.
Kindly_Impress9665@reddit
Looks repaired to me .... clearly. The shop for my company replaces cross members all the time and we have no problem getting safties.
Friendship_Critical@reddit
Just run it. If there was a violation it would be against whoever owns the trailer. Probably never be seen.
shadowmib@reddit
Whoever did that must have been smoking crack. They shouldn't be working on trailers. The structure is completely compromised. I wouldn't even want to walk in that trailer
firstblush73@reddit
No way would I take that trailer. There are chunks missing and the pieces remaining dont look secured. Nope.
Ninline2000@reddit
Not good.
Elite_Slacker@reddit
This is the sort of damage that can lead to a catastrophic failure. Very dumb to roll anywhere with it regardless of what the dot would say.
ConsequenceSweaty241@reddit
Maybe
HowlingWolven@reddit
First picture is fine. Second is hell no.
Parasite76@reddit
For sure I would not pull that loaded.
Prior-Ad-7329@reddit
Yes. That side rail needs to be replaced and can be an OOS violation. Also 2 or more broken or damaged crossmembers adjacent to each other is also an OOS violation.
Avelerris@reddit
The only place you should be driving this is straight to a trailer shop and preferably empty.
Wooden-Campaign-3211@reddit
Drive at night
everythangspeachie@reddit
I remember side skirts on a trailer was one of the things you had to check when I took the test at the dmv so I think it is.