§ 175.108. Chassis.
(a) Condition of chassis. All items on the chassis shall be in safe operating condition as described in § 175.110 (relating to inspection procedure).
(b) Vehicle frame. A vehicle frame shall be in solid condition.
(c) Motor mounts. The motor mounts may not be broken, cracked or missing.
(d) Flooring and floor beds. Flooring and floor beds shall be of a construction to support occupants and cargo which the vehicle is capable of carrying, and shall not have openings through which exhaust gases could enter passenger compartment.
(e) Front bumper. Every vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with front bumper or a suitable replacement which is equal to or greater in strength than that provided by the vehicle manufacturer, securely attached to chassis or frame. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4536 (relating to bumpers).
(1) A bumper shall be of at least equivalent strength and mounting as the original equipment.
(2) No portion of bumper shall be broken, torn or protruding as to create a hazard.
(3) No bumper shall extend beyond the body line or be longer than the original equipment, whichever is greater.
(4) A wood plank bumper is permitted on a road service truck or wrecker, if firmly attached to a regular bumper or equivalent steel backing.
(5) Some part of the horizontal bumper bar shall fall within 16—30 inches above ground level.
(f) Rear protection device. A vehicle specified under this subchapter, except truck tractors, whose body or chassis has a rear end clearance of more than 30 inches from the ground when empty, shall be equipped with a rear bumper or rear end protection device as follows:
(1) The rear bumper or rear end protection device shall be:
(i) Within 30 inches of ground when the vehicle is empty.
(ii) Within 24 inches of another rear bumper or rear end protection device, if more than one rear bumper or rear end protection device is used.
(iii) Within 18 inches—transverse distance—of the widest part of the rear of the vehicle.
(iv) Within 24 inches of the extreme rear of the vehicle.
(v) Substantially constructed and firmly attached.
(2) Vehicles constructed and maintained so that the body, chassis or other parts of the vehicle afford the rear end protection described in paragraph (1) will be deemed to be in compliance with this subsection.
(3) No bumper shall extend beyond the body or line or be longer than original equipment, whichever is greater.
(4) A wood plank bumper is permitted on a road service truck or wrecker if firmly attached to a regular bumper or equivalent steel backing.
(5) Some part of the horizontal bumper bar shall fall within 16—30 inches above ground level.
(g) Fenders and flaps. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with fenders which provide at least as much coverage of the wheel as original equipment. Wheels shall be sufficiently covered with fenders or flaps to prevent loose objects, rain, snow and the like from being thrown about in a manner which may interfere with other persons using the highways.
(h) Rear wheel shields. A vehicle specified under this subchapter, except a truck-tractor while towing a trailer, shall be constructed or equipped to bar water or other road surface substances thrown from the rear wheels of the vehicle or combination at tangents exceeding 22.5°, measured from the road surface, from passing in a straight line to the rear of the vehicle or combination. See 75 Pa.C.S. § 4533 (relating to rear wheel shields).
(i) [Reserved].
(j) Seats. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with an operator seat which is firmly anchored to frame or support.
(1) No metal spring shall protrude from driver’s seat.
(2) A seat adjusting mechanism shall not move from set position when so adjusted.
(k) Safety belts. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with safety belts, of a type used as original equipment, securely attached to frame or structure. If attached to sheet metal, they shall have backing plates.
(1) Safety belt webbing may not be frayed.
(2) Belt buckles shall operate properly.
(l) Body mounts. Body mounts may not be broken, cracked, deteriorated or missing.
Authority The provisions of this § 175.108 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521 and 6103.
Source The provisions of this § 175.108 adopted October 29, 1982, effective February 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3862; corrected November 12, 1982, effective February 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3862; readopted December 2, 1988, effective December 3, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 5362; amended November 13, 1998, effective May 13, 1999, 28 Pa.B. 5670. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (221263) to (221265).
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