The Better To See You With
Installing Reflective Markings
ED THOMAS
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
"Conspicuity" markings — those white and red-and-white stripes that glow brightly when hit by headlights, so the car attached to the lights doesn't hit the trailer — have been standard on new semitrailers for more than seven years. Since early last summer, they're also supposed to have been installed on all road-going trailers. Got any trailers without the markings? Better get 'em on, or you're in violation.
But doing it correctly is as important as doing it at all. Federal regulations explain the markings' design and dimensions, as well as where on the trailer they're supposed to be placed. Reflectors or tape (also called sheeting) made to meet the regs are what you need. Plastic "reflex reflectors" (some are actually discs of sheeting) are also OK.
The old amber and red reflectors are not required on trailers that got the conspicuity markings at the factory. But older trailers that have the reflectors must keep them (hey, it's the law). And of course the powered clearance and marker lamps must also be retained.
On the trailer's side, the red-and-white horizontal reflectors or tape must start as close as possible to the front and rear, and outline the trailer's side perimeter. It can be continuous or intermittent. The reflective strip must cover at least half of the vehicle's exposed length (for example, if the trailer's 48 feet long, the reflective strip must total 24 feet), and the pattern should be as even as possible. The strip can be applied to a trailer's body or frame, and placed between 15 and 60 inches above the pavement.
The reg says the red portion of the tape must be 11 inches (28 centimeters) long, and the white portion must 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) long. Width must be at least 2 inches (5.1 centimeters). Buy approved material in rolls or strips and it'll be manufactured that way. A variety of materials are available; tape or reflectors made to meet the reg will have a "DOT" stamp, but be sure it's legit.
The Technology & Maintenance Council of ATA, which has written a recommended practice on the subject, says you may also use a pair of 1-inch-wide strips, if that better matches the rivet pattern on a trailer; but keep them within an inch of each other. You may use strips that add up to more than 2 inches, if you wish.
On the trailer's rear, one 2-inch red-and-white horizontal strip must run the entire width of the trailer, usually at the bottom of the doors (on vans) or on the rear sill of flatbeds and the like. There must be another red-and-white strip, at least 1.5-inches in width, on the horizontal bar of the underride/rear-impact guard. High trailers must also have white markings at the two upper corners (inverted L's on vans and other box-types) or along the top of other trailers (for instance, curved strips on tankers).
Legal reflex reflectors will be about 2 inches square, the reg says. To achieve performance comparable to retroreflective tape, such reflectors should be placed no more than 3-13/16 inches (100 millimeters) apart. "Horizontal" doesn't mean an exact geometric positioning, but "as close to horizontal as practicable," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when it published the reg.
Tape works well on smooth surfaces, but there is a bit of prep work, including cleaning, sanding away rust, and careful placement. The trickiest part for people who've never applied tape is getting it on straight while handling the roll of tape.
If that's you, adhesive-backed reflectors can be easier because you apply them one at a time. Reflectors are also good for corroded surfaces; reflectors with molded holes can be screwed or pop-riveted in place right over the rust. Inverted L's in reflector form might also be easier to apply in those upper corners; that's the case with most tractor builders who now have to apply them to the upper-rear walls of road tractors.
Also on late-model tractors are red-and-white horizontal markings on mud flap hangers and sometimes on the rear-most crossmember between frame rails. The regs do not require older tractors to be retrofitted with the reflective markings, but the feds are reportedly leaning toward this, as bobtailing tractors look pretty dark at night, especially if one of a tractor's taillights is out.
Vehicles not needing conspicuity markings include pole trailers and other specialized equipment. Any trailer too low to need an underride guard would not have to display the extra bumper stripe. Intermodal and other types of containers need not be marked, either, because they are considered cargo, not vehicles. And straight trucks are not required to have the markings. But you could put them on if you wish.
