Pole and utility vehicles/trailers – Pennsylvania

Lamps and reflective devices

Rear end clearance

A trailer, except for pole trailers, whose body has a rear end clearance of more than 30 inches from the ground when empty, must be equipped with a rear bumper or rear end protection device. 

Front end structure requirements

Pole trailers are exempt from the front-end structure requirements of 67 Pa. Code § 181.7.

Hold-down and tiedown devices for logs

The requirements of 67 Pa. Code § 183 are the responsibility of the carrier and are applicable to the transportation of logs.

A vehicle or combination transporting logs must be loaded and equipped to prevent the shifting or falling of the logs.

On pole trailers, there must be at least two binder chains or cables to secure the load to the forward bolster and two binder chains or cables to secure it to the rear bolster.

Key definitions

Pole trailer: A trailer, including those with a variable wheelbase, attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregular-shaped loads, including poles, pipes or structural members capable of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.

Logs: Portions of trees having a natural shape and diameter of at least four inches.