Statutes, codes, and regulations
Maryland Administrative code
Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONSubtitle 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

Md. Code Regs. 11.22.04.08

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Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 26, December 27, 2024
Section 11.22.04.08 - Vehicle Frame, Body, and Sheet Metal
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.

Md. Code Regs. 11.22.04.08