1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

Users-Manufacturers of trailers, motor vehicle components, and manufacturers that integrate a structure to a trailer. Users also include third party agencies, legislators, building officials, architects, structural and mechanical engineers, advocates, accreditation bodies, and compliance programs. The first step in building a tiny house on wheels is to buy a prefab trailer, legally classified as a completed trailer, an incomplete trailer, or buy the raw materials and motor vehicle components and build both the trailer and the structure that would classify the manufacturer as a final stage manufacturer. All steps are unique. NHTSA has issued a warning that there are illegal trailers that are being manufactured in the US and this would be a great service to provide the steps for manufacturers so they can avoid civil and criminal penalties. For 10 years, chassis provisions for a tiny house on wheels have not been approved at ICC. Building officials are concerned about approving a unit that comes into their jurisdiction and they do not want the liability. They have objected to the IRC regulating vehicles. Third parties should not take on the liability of certifying the chassis, because NHTSA requires self certification from the manufacturer. The standard will be a service to consumers so they can choose a legal manufacturer for their trailer or tiny house on wheels. Is A Tiny House On Wheels A Vehicle Or A Structure? All over the world, that same question is being asked. The answer is both. A structure on a trailer with an integrated chassis starts out as a motor vehicle, personal property, chattel that is not affixed to land, and must follow the requirements for road and highway use. The unit can remain as personal property on leased land, or follow the state or provincial requirements to become real property affixed to land. The standard will help guide assessors and legislators that are trying to determine how these units are taxed. This will lead to mortgages and legal placement for tiny houses on wheels. The standard will complement and be a companion to standards the E06.26 Tiny Houses subcommittee are developing regarding the chassis. ASTM Mission The standard aligns with the mission of ASTM to create a safer world and develop uniformity and harmonization in the tiny house industry. NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today warned that noncompliant trailers that may pose a safety risk are increasingly marketed and sold to small businesses throughout the United States. These trailers are often marketed as food trucks or vending stations. These trailers are only permitted under U.S. law if they are certified as meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. In addition to the potential safety risk posed by noncompliant trailers, people attempting to import them into the country or title and register them with local authorities can incur significant expenses, only to face potential forfeiture of the noncompliant trailers. NHTSA warns anyone purchasing a trailer to avoid falling victim to sellers of illegal trailers. Trailers that do not comply with Federal regulations may not be safe and are not allowed to enter the United States. Please be aware that trailers must comply with Federal standards to ensure that they are equipped with appropriate critical safety components, such as lighting, tires and wheels. Only companies registered with NHTSA may manufacture trailers compliant with these standards. Please use caution when shopping for these trailers, especially if you are considering online listings for trailers that must be imported into the United States. A compliant trailer will have an affixed label indicating it meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. In addition, potential trailer buyers should consult the Vehicle Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing Manufacturer Portal to determine whether the manufacturer is listed with NHTSA before purchasing a trailer.