Forum Discussion

pivotman2014's avatar
pivotman2014
Explorer
Oct 05, 2014

laws regarding modifications

Does anyone know of any changes to laws regarding modifications such as raising the ceiling height of my toy. 4 inches?

A friend of mine told me that the insurance company would have a problem in the event of an accident or fire. I have stopped working on my renovation and the purpose of raising the ceiling height was due to the rust on the frame work that attached to the main frame. It was rusted through and the only way to correct it was to remove the coach off the frame and rebuild it. So I decided it would be great to just increase the ceiling height.

And use 4x12 sheets of .030 aluminum for the siding rather than the typical 1" mesa.

He basically said if I was ever pulled over or had to go through an inspection station they would take it off the road because of the modification not being engineered the way it was from the factory.

Anyone out there ever heard of this problem?
  • shakyjay's avatar
    shakyjay
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2014
    I really have no idea whether the information your friend gave is right or wrong. I do have a couple of observations though.

    I see lots of cars and trucks on the road everyday that have modifications done. Some of the modifications are pretty substantial and are obviously not engineered the way the vehicle was from the factory. Don't see anyone pulling them off the road or denying them insurance.

    I see you live in California. Just what inspection station would be of concern. California doesn't inspections.
  • falconman's avatar
    falconman
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    Unless it's determined to be an "unsafe" or doesn't meet current lighting or height/ weight standards you will have no problems. If "factory stock" is the only legal standard, then many custom car and trailer builders are in trouble. If you expect your insurance company to pay for theft or damage you'd better tell them of the modifications so you can get proper reimbursement.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    Your friend doesn't know what he's talking about.
    You can make any mod you want to as long as it is safe going down the hiway. Safe, means legal in height, width, length, and weight also. And your insurance co couldn't care less,....until it was ever proven that your mod is what caused an accident. And even then, they would have to pay off, unless it was proven that you somehow committed fraud to get the ins co to pay off.
    As far as any codes, OEM's are bound by certain codes, but you are not. That's why an OEM isn't allowed to install an unvented heater, but you are. And they must install a CO detector, but no law says you can't disable it, or throw it out, etc etc.
  • Muddydogs's avatar
    Muddydogs
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2014
    Who's going to know unless you tell them? A cop isn't going to notice 4" and most likely an RV inspector wouldn't notice. You had siding damage and replaced the skin that's all.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 06, 2014
    i've seen some pretty tall 5ers and house trucks

    i think as long as you did NOT exceed the DOT limit of 13'6" you would be legal
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2014
    Only thing I would say. Do not go over the 13'6" height when done.
    People with RV's make modifications all the time.

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