Interpretation ID: nht68-1.23

DATE: 11/20/68

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Clue D. Ferguson; NHTSA

TO: Rolite, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for your letter of October 24, 1968, concerning glazing materials in your recreational vehicles.

FHWA Ruling 68-1, published in the Federal Register on March 26, 1969, (33 FR 5020) specified that campers must meet the requirements of Standard No. 205, Glazing Materials. Copies of FHWA Ruling 6S-1 and Standard No. 205 are enclosed.

We do not have any provision for exempting certain windows from the requirements of Standard No. 205 because of their foldaway position during transport. It is true, also, that your camper could be transported in the erected condition. Therefore, all glazing materials in the camper must meet the requirements of Standard No. 205.

Travel trailers are not included in the application of Standard No. 205; hence, do not have to meet the safety glazing requirements.

Sincerely,

Enclosures

October 24, 1968

Roy Dennison Motor Vehicle Safety Performance Service National Highway Safety Bureau Federal Highway Administration

Dear Mr. Dennison:

I have been in contact with Mr. Walter Peck, Standards Director for the Recreational Vehicle Institute, Inc. and he has recommended that I communicate with you in regards to National Highway Safety Standards on our pick-up camper.

I have enclosed a photograph of one of our trailers and I am sorry, but, we do not have a photograph of our pick-up camper, because this is our first run on a pick-up camper and we do not have our publications ready yet. This, print shows how our trailer collapses into the (down) position. All the windows in our travel trailer are inside and there are no visible outlets when the trailer is down because it was not designed for people to ride in when being towed.

On our pick-up camper the roof also folds to a height of approximately 16 inches over the cab, but we have provided 2 side windows that are of safety glass, which meets the National Highway Safety Bureau standards. The side walls on the camper that fold in have windows and I would like to have an opinion from you as to whether the folding windows, or the windows in the wall that fold in and are encased, would also have to be safety glass.

I realize that ours will be a special consideration, a case that will have to have a special reading from you or someone of your position, connected with the Highway Safety Bureau. I would appreciate any correspondence that you would be willing to offer on this matter. We need something on almost an urgent basis, as you can imagine, so that we comply with all regulations.

I will be waiting for your reply, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to write.

Sincerely,

ROLITE, INC., Division of Larson Industries, Inc. --

Bob Dahlke Plant Manager

Enclosure