Interpretation ID: nht69-1.34

DATE: 03/12/69

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; R. M. O'Mahoney; NHTSA

TO: Hector J. Rosso, Esq.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in response to your letter of February 14, 1969, in which you seek information concerning possible overloading of Seiberling 8.25-20 ten ply rating truck tires manufactured in approximately 1963.

The Federal Highway Administration has issued a Federal motor vehicle safety standard for passenger car tires manufactured after January 1, 1968 requiring them to meet certain tests when loaded to prescribed weights. (49 C.F.R. @ 371.21 Standard 109). Performance requirements for truck tires are presently under consideration. Comments have been received in response to an Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making on this matter but regulations have not as yet been issued.

The Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety regulates the safety and operation of interstate motor carriers. Its regulation regarding tires (49 C.F.R. @ 393.75) is not relevant to your inquiry.

One fruitful source of information may be the Tire and Rim Association Yearbook. This publication provides data on tires and suggests standards for tire load limits. It is published by the Tire and Rim Association, Inc., Comend Building, 34 H. Hawkins Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44313.

I hope this information will be of value to you.