[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 135 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36654-36661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17751]


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[[Page 36655]]

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

[[Page 36657]]

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

[[Page 36658]]

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