Interpretation ID: nht73-3.17

DATE: 01/29/73

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Richard B. Dyson; NHTSA

TO: Nissan Motor Company Ltd.

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to your letter of January 2, 1973, concerning Truck-Camper loading consumer information requirements.

You have asked whether you have correctly indicated the "rear end of truck bed" in a drawing of the short body pick-up truck that you attached. The answer is yes. As Mr. Vinson of our staff indicated to Mr. Nishibori when he telephoned on January 9, 1973, "rear end of truck bed" does not refer to a particular point with the tailgate in either a raised or lowered position. It means, in the words of the preamble of the reissued standard (37 F.R. 26605) "the point where the identified surface of the camper abuts the rearmost edge surface of the cargo area of the truck, presumably the tailgate in most configurations."

You also ask if you must meet the requirements of @ 575.6 on or after March 1, 1973. As a manufacturer of a truck that is capable of accommodating a slide-in camper, you must pursuant to 575.6(a) furnish consumer information with each truck manufactured on or after March 1, 1973, at the time the vehicle is offered for sale. Material for examination by prospective purchasers, pursuant to 575.6(b) should be made available at dealer showrooms no later than the date that trucks manufactured on or after March 1, 1973, are first offered for sale by such dealers. The NHTSA has been petitioned to delay the effective date by 60 days and this request is under consideration.