Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and Consumer Information Regulations; Truck-Camper Loading

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 571 and 575

[Docket No. 96-09, Notice 02]

RIN 2127-AF81

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and Consumer Information

Regulations; Truck-Camper Loading

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document rescinds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

(Standard) No. 126, Truck-camper loading, and combines its provisions

with 49 CFR 575.103, Truck-camper loading. This action is being taken

because a review of this agency's standards and regulations pursuant to

the President's regulatory reinvention initiative persuaded the agency

that combining these two rules into one will make their respective

requirements easier to understand and apply.

This document also eliminates the requirement to assign a vehicle

identification number to each slide-in camper.

DATES: This final rule is effective September 1, 1997.

Any petition for reconsideration of this rule must be received by

NHTSA not later than August 26, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Petitions for reconsideration should refer to the docket

number and notice number set forth above and be submitted to: Docket

Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh

Street, SW., Room 5109, Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366-4949.

Docket hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For technical issues: Robert M. Clarke, Chief, Vehicle Dynamics

Division, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5307, Washington,

DC 20590. Telephone (202) 366-5281; FAX (202) 366-4329.

For legal issues: Walter Myers, Office of the Chief Counsel,

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street,

SW., Room 5219, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-2992; FAX

(202) 366-3820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Standard No. 126 was initially established by final rule published

on August 15, 1972 (37 FR 16497) to provide information that can be

used by consumers to reduce overloading and improper load distribution

in truck-camper combinations. The standard requires manufacturers of

slide-in campers to affix a label to each camper specifying, among

other things, the maximum weight of the camper and its equipment. The

standard also requires that the owner's manual for the camper contain a

picture showing the location of the longitudinal center of gravity of

the camper when properly loaded.

When initially published, the standard also required manufacturers

of trucks capable of accommodating slide-in campers to include in the

truck operator's manual a picture showing the manufacturer's

recommended longitudinal center of gravity for the cargo weight rating

of the camper and a picture of the proper match of a truck and slide-in

camper.

Also on August 15, 1972, NHTSA published a notice of proposed

rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to require that slide-in campers be

identified by a vehicle identification number ``to facilitate any

future defect notification and recall campaigns that might occur'' (37

FR 16505).

By final rule published on December 14, 1972 (37 FR 26605), NHTSA

adopted the requirement for a vehicle identification number. In a

separate final rule published on the same day, NHTSA withdrew the truck

requirements from the standard and reissued them in 49 CFR 575.103, a

consumer information regulation (37 FR 26607). That action was taken in

response to petitions for reconsideration of the final rule of August

15, 1972, which established Standard No. 126 (37 FR 16497).

Pursuant to the March 4, 1994 directive entitled Regulatory

Reinvention Initiative from the President to the heads of all Federal

departments and agencies, NHTSA reviewed all its Federal motor vehicle

safety standards and related regulations. As a result of that review,

NHTSA tentatively determined that the camper requirements of Standard

No. 126 and the truck requirements of 49 CFR 575.103 should be combined

into one regulation as before, but this time as a consumer information

regulation rather than a performance standard.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(a) Truck Camper Loading Labeling and Information

The current truck-camper loading requirements of Standard No. 126

and Sec. 575.103 involve labeling and placing certain information in

the owner's manual. The former requirements are applicable to campers

and the latter, to trucks. Since the two provisions were so closely

related and, in fact, overlapping, the agency published an NPRM on

February 14, 1996 (61 FR 5730) proposing that Standard No. 126 be

rescinded and its provisions combined with and incorporated into the

provisions of 49 CFR 575.103. The agency stated that no useful purpose

is served by keeping the camper requirements separate from the truck

requirements in the CFR. The agency stated that since the provisions of

the two sections are so closely related, it would be easier, more

convenient, and more efficient for manufacturers, regulators, and the

public to apply those provisions if they were combined rather than

maintained as separate sections in the CFR.

(b) Slide-in Camper Vehicle Identification Number

As stated in the Background discussion above, Standard No. 126

requires camper manufacturers to assign a vehicle identification number

(VIN) to each slide-in camper they produce. Specifically, paragraph

S5.1.1(e) provides that manufacturers must assign a number to each

slide-in camper ``for identification purposes consisting of arabic

numerals, roman letters, or both.'' The same paragraph further provides

that no two campers produced within a 10-year period shall have the

same identification number.

The final rule of December 14, 1972 stated that the purpose of the

camper VIN was to increase the accuracy and efficiency of recall

campaigns conducted by manufacturers to remedy safety defects. However,

out of the 26 recalls that have been conducted under Standard No. 126

since its inception in 1972, none have involved or relied on the camper

VIN. Agency experience in past slide-in camper recalls has been that

the manufacturer's model and serial numbers are sufficient to identify

the campers and/or the models involved in the recall. NHTSA tentatively

concluded, therefore, that requiring slide-in campers to have a VIN is

redundant and does not serve its intended purpose. Accordingly, NHTSA

proposed to delete the requirement for a vehicle identification number

on slide-in campers.

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Public Comments

Chrysler Corporation (Chrysler), General Motors (GM), and the

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) submitted comments

in response to the NPRM. All indicated general support for the

proposals. The IACP commented that elimination of the VIN will not

present any difficulties for law enforcement since the serial and model

numbers will suffice for identification purposes in place of the VIN.

GM expressed two concerns. One was related to the proposal to

require center of gravity distance information in metric units only. GM

stated that such requirement will make it more difficult for purchasers

of trucks and slide-in campers to determine the comparability of the

combination units. GM argued that purchasers of new trucks who expect

to use their old campers will have to convert metric/English units to

determine the trucks' centers of gravity, and that many people do not

know how to do that. GM suggested, therefore, that the center of

gravity information depicted in Figures 2 and 4 be provided in both

English and metric units.

The other concern was the absence of a proposed effective date. GM

stated that if an effective date sooner than September 1, 1996, the

start of model year 1997, were established, it would create a

considerable cost burden on manufacturers by requiring them to revise

and print new manuals and consumer information booklets to incorporate

the new metric requirements. GM recommended, therefore, that an

effective date no earlier than September 1, 1996 be established as the

effective date of the proposed amendments.

Agency Analysis and Decision

(a) The agency is adopting its proposal for combining of the

provisions of Standard No. 126 and Sec. 575.103 and deleting the

requirement for a separate VIN for slide-in campers for the reasons

stated in the NPRM.

(b) Metric/English units of measurement. Section 5164 of the

Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act, Pub. L. 100-418 (Act),

established the metric system of measurements as the preferred system

of weights and measures for U.S. trade and commerce. Executive Order

No. 12770 directed Federal agencies to comply with the Act by adopting

and publishing a conversion schedule in the Federal Register. NHTSA

published for comment its plan to convert the Federal motor vehicle

safety standards to metric measurements in the Federal Register on

April 21, 1992 (57 FR 14619). Based on five comments received in

response to that notice, NHTSA published an NPRM on March 15, 1994 (59

FR 11962) proposing the initial group of standards to be converted to

the metric system, one of which was Standard No. 126. After considering

the submissions of 17 commenters, NHTSA published a final rule on March

14, 1995 converting Standard No. 126, among others, to metric

measurements, followed by the equivalent English measurements in

parentheses. Section 575.103 was not addressed in that final rule.

The agency considers GM's concerns to be reasonable with respect to

the metrics-only measurements shown on Figures 2 and 4, particularly

since Figure 1 shows both metric and English measurements. NHTSA's

stated intention for issuing the truck/camper loading requirements was

to provide useful information to consumers in the proper loading of

campers into their companion trucks. Obviously, if the required

labeling and illustrations are confusing or, at best, not helpful, then

the central purpose of the truck/camper requirements is defeated. NHTSA

agrees with GM, therefore, that if there is any possibility that

consumers may become confused in attempting to convert metric and

English units, both units should be shown in Figures 2 and 4.

Accordingly, Figures 2 and 4 are amended to depict measurements shown

first in metric units, followed by their equivalent English units in

parentheses.

(c) Effective date. The agency also agrees with GM with respect to

an effective date of this final rule, that is, that the amendments

issued by this rule should be effective at the start of a new model

year. The agency believes that an effective date of September 1, 1996

does not give manufacturers sufficient time to comply with the new

requirements. Accordingly, the effective date of the requirements of

this rule is established as September 1, 1997.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

This rulemaking document was not reviewed under E.O. 12866,

Regulatory Planning and Review. NHTSA has considered the impact of this

rulemaking action under the DOT's regulatory policies and procedures

and has determined that it is not ``significant'' within the meaning of

those policies and procedures.

The amendments promulgated in this rulemaking action are intended

to reorganize certain existing requirements and to eliminate a

separate, unneeded requirement, thereby simplifying and streamlining

the body of Federal regulations. The agency estimates that there will

be no cost impact or lead time effects for either manufacturers,

dealers, or consumers.

Elimination of the requirement for assigning and affixing a camper

VIN will result in only minimal cost savings. Currently, camper

manufacturers are required to place the camper VIN on the label

containing other information about campers. Since camper manufacturers

will continue to be required to place that label on their campers,

being relieved of the necessity of placing a camper VIN on the label

will at most enable the manufacturers to use a slightly smaller label.

Accordingly, the agency believes that the cost impacts of this

rulemaking action will be so minimal as not to warrant the preparation

of a full preliminary regulatory evaluation.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

NHTSA has also considered the impacts of this notice under the

Regulatory Flexibility Act. I hereby certify that this rule will not

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small

entities. For the reasons stated above, this proposal will have no

significant impact on manufacturers of slide-in campers and trucks

capable of accommodating slide-in campers, thus will have no impact on

the costs of those products. Accordingly, the agency has not prepared a

preliminary regulatory flexibility analysis.

Executive Order 12612 (Federalism)

This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and

criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined

that the proposed rule will not have sufficient Federalism implications

to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment. No state laws will

be affected.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96-

511, the agency notes that there are no information collection

requirements associated with this rulemaking action.

Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform)

This rule has no retroactive effect. Under 49 U.S.C. 30103(b),

whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in effect, a state

or political subdivision thereof may prescribe or continue in effect a

standard applicable to the same

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aspect of performance of a motor vehicle only if the state's standard

is identical to the Federal standard. However, the United States

government, a state or political subdivision thereof may prescribe a

standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment for its own use

that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the

Federal standard. 49 U.S.C. 30161 sets forth a procedure for judicial

review of final rules establishing, amending or revoking Federal motor

vehicle safety standards. This section does not require submission of a

petition for reconsideration or other administrative procedures before

parties may file suit in court.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, Rubber and rubber

products, Tires.

In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR part 571 is amended as

follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

1. The authority citation for part 571 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166;

delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

Sec. 571.126 [Removed]

2. Section 571.126 is removed in its entirety from the CFR.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 575

Consumer protection, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and

recordkeeping, Tires.

In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR part 575 is amended to

read as follows:

PART 575--CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS

3. The authority citation for part 575 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166;

delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

4. Section 575.103 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 575.103 Truck-camper loading.

(a) Scope. This section requires manufacturers of slide-in campers

to affix to each camper a label that contains information relating to

identification and proper loading of the camper and to provide more

detailed loading information in the owner's manual. This section also

requires manufacturers of trucks that would accommodate slide-in

campers to specify the cargo weight ratings and the longitudinal limits

within which the center of gravity for the cargo weight rating should

be located.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide information

that can be used to reduce overloading and improper load placement in

truck-camper combinations and unsafe truck- camper matching in order to

prevent accidents resulting from the adverse effects of these

conditions on vehicle steering and braking.

(c) Application. This section applies to slide-in campers and to

trucks that are capable of accommodating slide- in campers.

(d) Definitions.

Camper means a structure designed to be mounted in the cargo area

of a truck, or attached to an incomplete vehicle with motive power, for

the purpose of providing shelter for persons.

Cargo Weight Rating means the value specified by the manufacturer

as the cargo-carrying capacity, in pounds or kilograms, of a vehicle,

exclusive of the weight of occupants in designated seating positions,

computed as 68 kilograms or 150 pounds times the number of designated

seating positions.

Slide-in Camper means a camper having a roof, floor, and sides,

designed to be mounted on and removable from the cargo area of a truck

by the user.

(e) Requirements.--(1) Slide-in Camper.--(i) Labels. Each slide-in

camper shall have permanently affixed to it, in such a manner that it

cannot be removed without defacing or destroying it, and in a plainly

visible location on an exterior rear surface other than the roof,

steps, or bumper extension, a label containing the following

information in the English language lettered in block capitals and

numerals not less than 2.4 millimeters (three thirty-seconds of an

inch) high, of a color contrasting with the background, in the order

shown below and in the form illustrated in Figure 1.

(A) Name of camper manufacturer. The full corporate or individual

name of the actual assembler of the camper shall be spelled out, except

that such abbreviations as ``Co.'' or ``Inc.'' and their foreign

equivalents, and the first and middle initials of individuals may be

used. The name of the manufacturer shall be preceded by the words

``Manufactured by'' or ``Mfd by.''

(B) Month and year of manufacture. It may be spelled out, such as

``June 1995'' or expressed in numerals, such as ``695.''

(C) The following statement completed as appropriate:

``Camper weight is ____________ kg. (____________ lbs.) maximum

when it contains standard equipment, ____________ liters (____________

gal.) of water, ____________ kg. (____________ lbs.) of bottled gas,

and ____________ cubic meters (____________ cubic ft.) refrigerator (or

icebox with ____________ kg. (____________ lbs.) of ice, as

applicable). Consult owner's manual (or data sheet, as applicable) for

weights of additional or optional equipment.''

(D) ``Liters (or gal.) of water'' refers to the volume of water

necessary to fill the camper's fresh water tanks to capacity. ``Kg. (or

lbs.) of bottled gas'' refers to the amount of gas necessary to fill

the camper's bottled gas tanks to capacity. The statement regarding a

``refrigerator'' or ``icebox'' refers to the capacity of the

refrigerator with which the vehicle is equipped or the weight of the

ice with which the icebox may be filled. Any of these items may be

omitted from the statement if the corresponding accessories are not

included with the camper, provided that the omission is noted in the

camper owner's manual as required in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this

section.

(ii) Owner's manual. Each slide-in camper manufacturer shall

provide with each camper a manual or other document containing the

information specified in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) (A) through (F) of this

section.

(A) The statement and information provided on the label as

specified in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section. Instead of the

information required by paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(B) of this section, a

manufacturer may use the statements ``See camper identification label

located (as applicable) for month and year of manufacture.'' If water,

bottled gas, or refrigerator (icebox) has been omitted from this

statement, the manufacturer's information shall note such omission and

advise that the weight of any such item when added to the camper should

be added to the maximum camper weight figure used in selecting an

appropriate truck.

(B) A list of other additional or optional equipment that the

camper is designed to carry, and the maximum weight of each if its

weight is more than 9 kg. (20 lbs) when installed.

(C) The statement: ``To estimate the total cargo load that will be

placed on a truck, add the weight of all passengers in the camper, the

weight of supplies, tools, and all other cargo, the weight of installed

additional or optional camper equipment, and the manufacturer's camper

weight figure. Select a truck that has a cargo weight rating that is

equal to or greater than the total cargo load of the camper and whose

manufacturer recommends a cargo center of gravity

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zone that will contain the camper's center of gravity when it is

installed.''

(D) The statements: ``When loading this camper, store heavy gear

first, keeping it on or close to the camper floor. Place heavy things

far enough forward to keep the loaded camper's center of gravity within

the zone recommended by the truck manufacturer. Store only light

objects on high shelves. Distribute weight to obtain even side-to-side

balance of the loaded vehicle. Secure loose items to prevent weight

shifts that could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the truck-

camper is loaded, drive to a scale and weigh on the front and on the

rear wheels separately to determine axle loads. The load on an axle

should not exceed its gross axle weight rating (GAWR). The total of the

axle loads should not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

These weight ratings are given on the vehicle certification label that

is located on the left side of the vehicle, normally on the dash panel,

hinge pillar, door latch post, or door edge next to the driver on

trucks manufactured on or after January 1, 1972. If weight ratings are

exceeded, move or remove items to bring all weights below the

ratings.''

(E) A picture showing the location of the longitudinal center of

gravity of the camper within an accuracy of 5 centimeters (2 inches)

under the loaded condition specified in paragraph (e)(1)(i)(D) of this

section in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

(F) A picture showing the proper match of a truck and slide-in

camper in the form illustrated in Figure 3.

(2) Trucks. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this

section, each manufacturer of a truck that is capable of accommodating

a slide-in camper shall provide to the purchaser in the owner's manual

or other document delivered with the truck, in writing and in the

English language, the information specified in paragraphs (e)(2)(i) (A)

through (E) of this section.

(A) A picture showing the manufacturer's recommended longitudinal

center of gravity zone for the cargo weight rating in the form

illustrated in Figure 4. The boundaries of the zone shall be such that

when a slide-in camper equal in weight to the truck's cargo weight

rating is installed, no GAWR of the truck is exceeded.

(B) The truck's cargo weight rating.

(C) The statements: ``When the truck is used to carry a slide-in

camper, the total cargo load of the truck consists of the

manufacturer's camper weight figure, the weight of installed additional

camper equipment not included in the manufacturer's camper weight

figure, the weight of camper cargo, and the weight of passengers in the

camper. The total cargo load should not exceed the truck's cargo weight

rating and the camper's center of gravity should fall within the

truck's recommended center of gravity zone when installed.''

(D) A picture showing the proper match of a truck and slide-in

camper in the form illustrated in Figure 3.

(E) The statements: ``Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts

that could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the truck camper is

loaded, drive to a scale and weigh on the front and on the rear wheels

separately to determine axle loads. Individual axle loads should not

exceed either of the gross axle weight ratings (GAWR). The total of the

axle loads should not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

These ratings are given on the vehicle certification label that is

located on the left side of the vehicle, normally the dash, hinge

pillar, door latch post, or door edge next to the driver. If weight

ratings are exceeded, move or remove items to bring all weights below

the ratings.''

(ii) If a truck would accommodate a slide-in camper but the

manufacturer of the truck recommends that the truck not be used for

that purpose, the information specified in paragraph (e)(2)(i)(E) of

this section shall not be provided but instead the manufacturer shall

provide a statement that the truck should not be used to carry a slide-

in camper.

MFD. BY: (CAMPER MANUFACTURER'S NAME)

(MONTH AND YEAR OF MANUFACTURE)

CAMPER WEIGHT IS ____________ KG (____________ LB) MAXIMUM WHEN

IT CONTAINS STANDARD EQUIPMENT, ____________ LITERS (____________

GAL) OF WATER, ____________ KG (____________ LB) OF BOTTLED GAS, AND

____________ CUBIC METERS (____________ CUBIC FT) REFRIGERATOR (OR

ICEBOX WITH ____________ KG (____________ LB) OF ICE, AS

APPLICABLE). CONSULT OWNER'S MANUAL (OR DATA SHEET AS APPLICABLE)

FOR WEIGHTS OF ADDITIONAL OR OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT.

Figure 1. Label for Camper

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JY96.000

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JY96.001

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JY96.002

Issued on June 25, 1996.

Ricardo Martinez,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 96-17751 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-C