Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Clearance lights
| Clearance lights [message #171616] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 07:14  |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
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Why do we have them? I thought they were only for commercial vehicles
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171622 is a reply to message #171616] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 08:18  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
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Randy,
That's what I've always wondered. Seem to me like a holdover from the
days when someone had to stand outside and make sure the truck would
pass under the overpass. But, IIRC, ANY vehicle 80"+ wide must have
them.
The "official" explanation is that oncoming drivers can tell that
they're meeting a large vehicle, making them tend toward the right
side of the road.
Ken H.
On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 8:14 AM, Randy wrote:
>
>
> Why do we have them? I thought they were only for commercial vehicles
> --
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Ken Henderson
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www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171627 is a reply to message #171616] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 08:57 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
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| Luvn737s wrote on Fri, 01 June 2012 06:14 |
Why do we have them? I thought they were only for commercial vehicles
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Those are required front and rear for any truck and trailer over 80" wide. The intent is to help define the extremities of the vehicle.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171632 is a reply to message #171616] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 09:41 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
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I looked up under DOT rules and it only mentioned commercial vehicles. Perhaps the requirement varies for non commercial on a state by state basis.
I've tried to get the outer ones working on my coach for years. I think ripping down the rear cap liner will do more damage than it's worth, so I have to attack it from the outside. I'll probably piggyback off one that's working.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
[Updated on: Fri, 01 June 2012 09:46] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171660 is a reply to message #171632] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 16:34 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
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| Luvn737s wrote on Fri, 01 June 2012 08:41 |
I looked up under DOT rules and it only mentioned commercial vehicles. Perhaps the requirement varies for non commercial on a state by state basis.
I've tried to get the outer ones working on my coach for years. I think ripping down the rear cap liner will do more damage than it's worth, so I have to attack it from the outside. I'll probably piggyback off one that's working.
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FMVSS 108 clearly applies this to all vehicles whether commercial or civilian. FMCSA is also a DOT agency who's mission is focussed towards commercial vehicles so depending on which site you look you will see somewhat different wording because the missions are different.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171661 is a reply to message #171632] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 16:38 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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| Luvn737s wrote on Fri, 01 June 2012 08:41 |
I looked up under DOT rules and it only mentioned commercial vehicles. Perhaps the requirement varies for non commercial on a state by state basis.
I've tried to get the outer ones working on my coach for years. I think ripping down the rear cap liner will do more damage than it's worth, so I have to attack it from the outside. I'll probably piggyback off one that's working.
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Randy, I personally hate those warts on top of my GMC and I'm not a purist when it comes to regulations, but based on what I do for a living, this is one regulation that may not fly under the radar if you know what I mean.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171663 is a reply to message #171616] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 17:17 |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
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On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 8:14 AM, Randy <Acrosport2@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Why do we have them? I thought they were only for commercial vehicles
This turned into a question of the law, and I can answer that (I keep
Title 49 and Title 23 bookmarks handy on my computer these days.)
Title 49 (Transportation) of the Code of Federal Regulation, Part 571
(Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), section 108 (lamps,
reflective devices and associated equipment), Standard Number 3,
reads:
S3. Application. This standard applies to:
(a) Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses,
trailers (except pole trailers and trailer converter dollies), and
motorcycles;
(b) Retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors manufactured to
conform to S5.7 of this standard; and
(c) Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment for
replacement of like equipment on vehicles to which this standard
applies.
The description of the clearance lamps is in Table 2, which is titled:
Table II—Location of Required Equipment Multipurpose Passenger
Vehicles, Trucks, Trailers, and Buses, of 80 or More Inches Overall
Width
And it reads (for multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and
buses--trailers are in a different part of the table):
Identification lamps: On the front and rear—3 lamps, amber in front,
red in rear, as close as practicable to the top of the vehicle, at the
same height, as close as practicable to the vertical centerline, with
lamp centers spaced not less than 6 inches or more than 12 inches
apart. Alternatively, the front lamps may be located as close as
practicable to the top of the cab
Clearance lamps: On the front and rear—2 amber lamps on front, 2 red
lamps on rear, to indicate the overall width of the vehicle, one on
each side of the vertical centerline, at the same height, and as near
the top as practicable.
The shorthand for the law above would be 49CFR§571.108. Here's a link
to that standard on the DOT web page:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.108
In the various reauthorizations of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, Congress instructs the Secretary of
Transportation to prescribe vehicle safety standards. For whatever
reason, this was assigned to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, which is one of a number of agencies within the DOT.
Congress's instructions are codified in Title 49 of the United States
Code, 49USC§30111, titled "Standards", which includes:
-STATUTE-
(a) General Requirements. - The Secretary of Transportation shall
prescribe motor vehicle safety standards. Each standard shall be
practicable, meet the need for motor vehicle safety, and be stated
in objective terms.
So, Congress (the guys you elected) passed the law that instructed the
executive branch to establish and enforce regulations to carry out
that law. And clearance lights for vehicles 80" or wider is part of
it. It does not explain why they are needed--that's probably buried in
the history of the rule-making and it's not my area--but it does
explain why they are required on our coaches.
Kelvin, cops know about the 80" thing, in general.
Rick "your friendly fed" Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171667 is a reply to message #171663] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 18:11 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""And clearance lights for vehicles 80" or wider is part of
it. It does not explain why they are needed--that's probably buried in
the history of the rule-making and it's not my area--but it does
explain why they are required on our coaches.""
Clearance lights and identification lights on trucks and trailers over 80" are meant to delineate the height and width of a vehicle for on-coming and following vehicles. Retroflective sheeting is not required on our vehicles but is acceptable if it does not detract from required lighting. There are situations where these can be lifesavers. This is an area that I control on our 100,00 trucks and 100,000 trailers. It is very difficult to monitor and sometimes execute all of the requirements for side, front and rear reflectors, lamps, colors, heights and spacings, brightness and visibility angles. New LED lighting has required significant changes in the SAE standards that FMVSS 108 references. It's not an area we can screw around with especially when crossing borders. BTW, none of our rental equipment is classified as commercial usage. We do BTW have another several thousand vehicles that are considered commercial. Today we had a lighting evaluation on our new equipment that started at 3:00 am--I'm tired to say the least.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171689 is a reply to message #171616] |
Fri, 01 June 2012 22:00 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| Luvn737s wrote on Fri, 01 June 2012 05:14 |
Why do we have them? I thought they were only for commercial vehicles
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You could always go with Fin's plan:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/beven-smooth-roof/p20782-top-view.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/beven-new-paint/p24252-top-view.html
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
[Updated on: Fri, 01 June 2012 22:02] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171782 is a reply to message #171616] |
Sat, 02 June 2012 16:57 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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FWIW, Most of mine are dead, and some are missing the covers. I have 10 shiny new LED ones in the garage waiting to go on after the paint job, but, I think they look like warts too. I had considered doing something else, but then hey, this is an RV, not a car.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171783 is a reply to message #171782] |
Sat, 02 June 2012 17:29 |
Len Novak
Messages: 676
Registered: February 2004
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Karma: -3
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Another project, I need to get the LED ones....
Len and Pat
1978 Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Fallbrook, CA new email: B52Rule@Roadrunner.com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Choffat
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2012 2:58 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights
FWIW, Most of mine are dead, and some are missing the covers. I have 10
shiny new LED ones in the garage waiting to go on after the paint job, but,
I think they look like warts too. I had considered doing something else, but
then hey, this is an RV, not a car.
--
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
"The Escape Pod" A 77 Ex-Kingsley Featuring: Olds 455, Manny Power Drive,
3:21, Rockwell, Jim B QJET, Quadra bag. Still needs paint!
Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
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Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Las Vegas, NV new email: B52sRule@Gmail.com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171784 is a reply to message #171783] |
Sat, 02 June 2012 18:17 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| b52rule wrote on Sat, 02 June 2012 15:29 |
Another project, I need to get the LED ones....
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Check out ebay items:
270990002704 and 280893120249
A set of ten for under $90. Delivered.
I just got some in the mail, they are like the picture (two wire) NOT as the description (one wire). While I got them to change the auction from three red ones to five, I haven't had much luck on getting them to correct the description.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
[Updated on: Sat, 02 June 2012 18:18] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Clearance lights [message #171823 is a reply to message #171782] |
Sat, 02 June 2012 22:40 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
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I have had 10 of those for close to 10 years but never seem to get around to installing them. Oh well, they are on the list for some day.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171943 is a reply to message #171823] |
Mon, 04 June 2012 01:36 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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I just noticed than one of my rear clearance lights is out and 4 of the front clearance lights are out!
Maybe it’s time for LED’s, but I just don’t see the benefit to low-power running lights, since the alternator is powering the lights why worry.
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 2, 2012, at 8:40 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
>
>
> I have had 10 of those for close to 10 years but never seem to get around to installing them. Oh well, they are on the list for some day.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Clearance lights [message #171970 is a reply to message #171943] |
Mon, 04 June 2012 07:51 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
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>
> Maybe it’s time for LED’s, but I just don’t see the benefit to low-power
> running lights, since the alternator is powering the lights why worry.
>
> the main reasons are:
the glass lenses have become clear
the connections have become corroded and bad (actually fall apart inside)
the gaskets are shot ( there are new gaskets , but)
it is impossible to remove the old metal lights from the GMC.
the old ones leak
good time the clean up the roof leaks
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/commodore/clearance_lights/index.html
gene
Larry Davick
> The Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, CA
>
> On Jun 2, 2012, at 8:40 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > I have had 10 of those for close to 10 years but never seem to get
> around to installing them. Oh well, they are on the list for some day.
> > --
> > Ken Burton - N9KB
> > 76 Palm Beach
> > Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
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--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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