Colorado Revised Statute-trailer lighting

[Hypoid]

Tried looking it up online, all I see is that trailers have to have a light on the back regardless of trailer length.

Here's the story: I tow a compressor at work; private property, no problem. Sometimes I have to go off-site, the trailer has plates, no functioning lights. I see less than $50 in NEW parts to remedy the situation. The boss instists that the trailer does not need lights if the tow vehicle lights are visible.

The question is: What liability am I facing by taking this thing on the streets, and/or if I'm rearended? I don't buy the "if you can see the tow vehicle lights". At some point those lights will be obstructed anyway.

 

[YELLAHEEP]

The "black and white" literal law is here:

42-4-206. Tail lamps and reflectors.
Statute text
(1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in section 42-4-204, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear; except that, in the case of a train of vehicles, only the tail lamp on the rear-most vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified, and except as provided in section 42-4-215.5. Furthermore, every such vehicle registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958, shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear, on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which, when lighted as required in section 42-4-204, shall comply with the provisions of this section.

Here's the link to where I found the above statute:
http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll/Infobase4/6208f?fn=fs-main.htm&f=templates

So the answer to your question is yes. Anything towed behind a motor vehicle that has an axle with tires contacting the road surface constitutes a "vehicle". If it's required to have a license plate / registration, you can be certain it should have lighting to the rear.

Manufacturers aren't required to put the trailer lights on in order to sell the equipment because not all states have the same requirements. If I understand correctly, trailers that aren't built to house/transport people or animals don't fall under D.O.T. approval to be used on the roads so that's likely why the trailer you're talking about doesn't already have the lighting.


Hope that helps.

 

[WB9YZU]

The only instance I can see for a trailer w/o tail lamps is a trailer, like a hay wagon or a spreader, towed by a AG SMV, and that in turn, must have a SMV sign prominantly displayed. Then, no towing that after dark.

Trailer lights are a good idea regardless of the law. They provide the driver who is approaching from behind a better idea of what is ahead. The scenerio I disslike is coming up on a driver at night who has a large lighted trailer, but has not bothered to plug in the harness. The only clue you have on a moonless night is the reflected backscatter from their headlights.

As an operator of a motor vehicle with obstructed or dissfunctional trailer lights, you can be cited for them being not viewable. If it results in an accident, in the states where blame is assigned, it could be argued that you were at fault for having faulty equipment. Troy would be able to give a better interpretation of the law in CO from an Officer's view of your "liability".

 

[Hypoid]

Thanks Troy! I was hoping someone with more in-depth knowledge would post. That's the link I read a couple years ago when we last rotated equipment. I wasn't sure if there were any changes from that time.

Guy acts like I have an attitude; OK, so I like my low insurance premiums. He came to his senses before, it's just a silly discussion to have for a set of harness connectors and one light fixture. :banghead:

 

[YELLAHEEP]

No problem. If you really want your boss to understand this issue..... just gimme a call when he's running around in Jeffco with the trailer in tow.... I gots connections...... They could explain ever so nicely that the ticket he just got might be dropped if he can show proof that the lights were added........

 

[Hypoid]

LMAO!!! Thanks!

Problem is that he wouldn't be dragging this POS around town. The rotation starts when the higher-ups get new vehicles, the older ones work their way down. I'm the last stop before the crusher, which is OK for the bulk of the use it sees. They want me to take it out on the street, that's just fine. I think having it legal is a reasonable expectation.

I just wanted to be sure of my standing if I think I have to wind him up, get his boss involved. ;~)