Trailer Cargo Capacity

pulsar wrote:

mike-s wrote:

pulsar wrote:
Among those regulations is that a full propane tank must be included as part of the vehicles UVW.

Note: that's tanks, not cylinders. Cylinders are the more common BBQ style containers.

Semantics?

Federal regulations are required, now, to be written in plain English. The final publication in the Federal Registry of the regulations refer to the Plain English executive order 12866. The requirement restricts technical terms and jargon. I think most people whole would say that BBQ style containers could be called propane tanks. Do a Google search for propane tanks and see what comes up.

Regardless, the regulation makes it clear that it they is referring to the type of containers you are referring to. The final publication states:S4.3.5 If the vehicle is a recreation vehicle trailer and is equipped with a propane supply, the weight of full propane tanks must be included in the vehicle's unloaded vehicle weight.

Tom

Nope. There are significant differences between cylinders and tanks in the regulations. Cylinders are the BBQ type things, are regulated by the DOT, and require regular requalification. Tanks are meant to be permanently mounted ("equipped with a propane supply"), are spec'd by ASME, and do not require requalification.

If you're going to cite things, do it right. You're referencing 49 CFR 571.110, S4.3.5.

The difference is described in the definitions at 49 CFR 171.8:

Cylinder means a pressure vessel ... having a circular cross section. It does not include a portable tank, multi-unit tank car tank, cargo tank, or tank car.

Cargo tank means a bulk packaging that ... Is permanently attached to ... a motor vehicle ...