Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 22 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM › Chapter 11.22.04 - Preventive Maintenance Standards for Freight Trailers and Freight Semitrailers › Section 11.22.04.08 - Vehicle Frame, Body, and Sheet Metal

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Frame.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Visually inspect frame for damage, deterioration, and
						  improper welding.
(1) Frame is cracked, broken, bent, rusted to
						  substantially weaken the frame, or frame is welded and not fishplated.
(2) On pole trucks inspect:
(a) Cradle and
						  cradle posts.
(b) Nonwelded cradles.
(i) Angle
						  between cradles and cradle posts.
(ii) Stake extension attachment.
(iii) Gusset plate between stake and cradle.
(iv)
						  Gusset plate length.
(v) All welds.
(vi) Cradle
						  welds.
(vii) Stake welds.
(viii) Stake and cradle
						  hinge point.
(ix) Overall cradle width.
(c) Welded
						  cradles.
(i) Approval.
(ii) Angle between stake and
						  cradle is 90 degrees.
(iii) All welds.
(2)
(a) Cradle or cradle post is missing,
						  broken, cracked, or extremely bent.
(b)
(i) Angle is
						  greater than 90 degrees.
(ii) Not securely mounted or not secured
						  by a pin and rope wire stake line.
(iii) Missing, broken, cracked,
						  gusset plate less than 1/4 inch thickness, not inverted four section or double
						  web design, vertical leg does not extend upwards beyond cable wrapper slot,
						  corners of leg less than 1 inch radius, changes in sections not smooth and
						  even, or gusset plate not overlapped on both sides of stake by at least 1 inch.
(iv) Horizontal length is less than 18 inches and vertical length
						  is less than 12 inches.
(v) Not electric arc welds, inadequate
						  root or sidewall fusion, slag included along line surface, roughness under cut,
						  cracked, unfilled craters or porosity, or excessive reinforcement overlap.
(vi) Fillet leg less than 1/4 inch.
(vii) Welds
						  present across inner face of stake at or near the gusset plate.
(viii) All fraying surface between the cradle and stake (except pin) not
						  welded, or welds have less than 3/8 inch leg.
(ix) Overall width
						  of cradle and wrapper exceeds 8 feet 6 inches.
(c)
(i) Design not approved by a professional engineer.
(ii) Angle is
						  greater than 90 degrees.
(iii) Not electric arc welds, inadequate
						  root or sidewall fusion, slag included along line surface, roughness under cut,
						  cracked, unfilled craters or porosity, or excessive reinforcement overlap.
(3) On low bay trailers inspect:
(a) Tie
						  downs.
(b) Loading ramp or ramps.
(c) Equipment rails
						  or pads and floor (when applicable).
(d) Side rails.
(3)
(a) Missing, broken, or cracked.
(b) Ramp or hinges are broken or insecurely mounted.
(c) Missing, broken, or loose.
(d) Missing, broken, or loose.
B.
				Frame Cross Members.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Visually inspect frame cross member for condition and
						  attachment.
(1) Frame cross member or bolt is loose, missing, or
						  damaged.
C.
				Body Mounts.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect for presence and condition of body
						  mounts.
(1) Body mount or bolt is missing, cracked, loose, or
						  body is not secured to the frame.
D.
				Floors (if Applicable).
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect floors for condition.
(1) Floor is rusted or weakened to a point it does not
						  support persons or load or container, holes are greater than 6 square
						  inches.
E.
				Doors, Handles, Latches, and Hinges.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect doors for presence, attachment, and
						  operation.
(1) Door is missing, loose, or does not readily open or
						  securely close.
(2) Inspect door handles for presence and operation.
(2) Door handle is missing or does not permit opening or
						  closing of door or tailgate.
(3) Inspect door catches for presence, condition, and
						  operation.
(3) Door catch is missing, damaged, loose, or worn, or
						  does not operate on primary or secondary catches.
(4) Inspect hinges for presence and condition.
(4) Hinge is missing, broken, loose, or does not permit
						  door to properly open or close.
F.
				Landing Gear (if Applicable).
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect for: (a) Operation. (b) Condition.
(1) Landing gear is: (a) Inoperable, binding, or seized.
						  (b) Broken, cracked, bent, or loose.
G.
				Rear Protector (Mud) Flaps. Rear protector flaps are not required on a vehicle
				when the construction is such that complete freedom around the wheel area is
				necessary to secure the designed use of the vehicle.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect rear protector flaps for presence, condition,
						  size, and mounting when required.
(1) Rear protector flap is missing, loose, or does not
						  extend the full width of tires, or the distance from flap to ground is more
						  than 1/3 the distance from the protector flap to the center of the wheel.
H.
				Sheet Metal.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Inspect body sheet metal and moldings for tears,
						  protruding or loose parts, and deterioration.
(1) Body parts and moldings have sharp or jagged edges,
						  protrude to be hazardous, are loose, or body panel has a missing rivet or open
						  seam.
I.
				Rear Metal Frame. Each trailer and semitrailer, when operated on the highways,
				shall be equipped with a permanent metal frame attached to the underside of the
				rear of the trailer. The frame may not be wider than the width of the trailer
				and more than 30 inches above the highway, and shall be constructed of heavy
				gauge steel. The maximum The maximum transverse distance from the widest part
				of the vehicle at the rear to the frame may not exceed 18 inches. Any trailer
				or semitrailer so constructed and maintained that the body, chassis, or other
				parts afford the required protection is in compliance with this regulation.
				This regulation does not apply to pole trailers or trailers or semitrailers
				when the installation of the frame would prevent operation of the vehicle in
				fulfilling its designed use. The frame may not interfere with lights or other
				warning devices. Inspect rear metal frame for:
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Presence when required.
(1) Frame is missing when required.
(2) Construction.
(2) Frame is not constructed of heavy gauge steel.
(3) Attachment.
(3) Frame is not securely attached to the underside of
						  rear of the vehicle.
(4) Condition.
(4) Frame is broken, cracked, or damaged, and does not
						  afford required protection.
(5) Obstruction of lights or other warning devices.
(5) Frame obstructs or interferes with lights or other
						  warning devices.