Interpretation ID: 10161
Ashley, Hannula, & Halom
515 Belknap Street
Superior, WI 54880
Dear Ms. O'Cordan:
This responds to your question about whether any Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) applies to glass used in a travel trailer. You stated that your law office was investigating an accident in which an individual was injured by glass of such a vehicle.
Please be aware that no FMVSS applies to the glazing (the term the agency uses for glass) in trailers. The agency has issued one standard, FMVSS No. 205, Glazing Materials, (49 CFR '571.205), which applies to glazing in some motor vehicles. However, this standard does not apply to glazing in trailers, which our regulations define as "a motor vehicle with or without motive power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by another motor vehicle" (49 CFR '571.3).
You may wish to contact the State of Wisconsin about the regulation of glass in trailers. The State has the authority to regulate the operation and modification of vehicles by their owners. Wisconsin may have used this authority to issue regulations about glazing in travel trailers.
I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to contact Marvin Shaw of my staff at this address or by telephone at (202) 366-2992 if you have any further questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
John Womack Acting Chief Counsel
ref:205 d:8/26/94