Trailer Labeling 101
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Trailer Labeling 101 By Fred Dosmann, Dec-O-Art Sales Manager When it comes to government mandated labeling, trailer manufacturers need to be aware of several government regulations to determine which labels are applicable to them. To ensure they are in compliance, all builders are required to affix a federal certification label to each of their vehicles. Only certain manufacturers are required to use a tire placard.
Roman allowed. The text height must be at least three thirtyseconds of an inch tall. This height requirement cannot be specified using font “point sizes,” as they are not a uniform form of measurement from one font to the next. The information included on the label is detailed, along with the order in which the following information must appear:
Federal Certification Labels 49 CFR Part 567 specifies the construction of a federal certification label, the information that must be included on the label, and where the label must be attached. The label needs to be permanently affixed and tamper evident. The label must be constructed in a way so that, if the label is removed or altered, it is damaged or destroyed in the process. If you choose to use a metal tag for your federal certification label, it must be riveted in place. If you are utilizing an imprintable label, it must be produced on a tamper evident or “voidable” material, or have other destructible features built in to the construction of the label. The federal certification label should be attached to the left side of the trailer, on the forward half, in a location that allows it to be easily read.
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Name of the Manufacturer
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Month and Year of Manufacture
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Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
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Gross Axle Weight Rating
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Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Conformity Statement
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VIN
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Type of Vehicle
While the color of the text is not specifically called out, the regulation states that the text color must contrast with the background of the label.
The content of the label is quite specific. All of the text must be in block capital letters; no serif fonts such as Times New
Example of a federal certification label.
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Trailer Labeling 101
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Example of a tire placard.
Tire Placards As specified in 49 CFR 571.110, if a trailer is under 10,000 lbs. GVWR, the manufacturer must also affix a tire placard to each unit. This label must be permanently affixed “in proximity” to the federal certification label. Unlike the federal certification label, it is not required to be tamper evident, though tire placards are often produced that way.
or spare tire is provided, “none” must be listed in the designated area – it may not be left blank. •
The statement: “See Owner’s Manual for Additional Information.”
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If the trailer has a non-pneumatic spare tire assembly, the tire identification code must be listed.
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Manufacturers have the option to include an identifier, such as the VIN (listed alpha-numerically or as a bar code) along the right edge of the label or along the bottom edge of the label.
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Manufacturers also have the option to list the load range identification symbol, load index, and speed rating next to the tire size.
The content requirements of this label are quite specific as well: •
“Tire and Loading Information” must appear at the top of the label.
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An image of a tire, measuring 13mm x 14mm must be located at the top left corner of the label.
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The statement: “The weight of the cargo should never exceed XXX kilograms or XXX pounds” with the x’s representing your variable data.
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Recommended cold tire inflation pressure for the front, rear, and spare tires. If the cold inflation pressure of the spare tire is the same as the other tires, you may list “see above” rather than listing the pressure in the designated area. If no rear tire and/or spare tire is provided, “none” must be listed in the designated area – it may not be left blank.
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The tire size designation for the front, rear, and spare tires. If the size of the spare tire is the same as the other tires, you may list “see above” rather than listing the pressure in the designated area. If no rear tire and/
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Printed colors are specified in the standard for tire placards. The title, as well as the area containing “See Owner’s Manual…” must be printed using black text on a yellow background or yellow text on a black background. There must also be a red border around the tire size and pressure section of the label. (See graphic for additional detail.) Yellow and red are colors that tend to fade in harsh outdoor environments, so a clear protective overlaminate can help to reduce the fading of these colors and protect your label.
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Trailer Labeling 101
Tracks Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin Manufacturer’s certificates of origin, often referred to as MSO’s or MCO’s, are not regulated by the federal government. Instead, they are controlled at the state level, creating a patchwork of requirements that can be difficult for manufacturers to navigate. Some states require MSO’s; some don’t. Some states require the certificates to be produced on special paper; some don’t. To add to the complexity, MSO requirements are determined by the state in which the trailer gets registered, not by the location of manufacture. Most trailer builders avoid confusion by simply providing a “money paper” MSO with each trailer that they sell. “Money paper” certificates of origin comply with AAMVA’s recommendations (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) and are accepted in all 50 states. The AAMVA recommends the specific size and content of the MSO, as well as a variety of security features to ensure the integrity of the document, some of which include: •
An engraved border
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A background security design
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Sensitized security paper
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Erasable fluorescent background inks
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Consecutive Numbering
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A security thread, and/or intaglio printing, and/or a security laminate, and/or a 3 dimensional hologram
If manufacturers do not wish to include a money paper MSO with each trailer sold, they should contact individual states’ Departments of Motor Vehicles to ascertain the requirements of specific states.
Example of a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
About Dec-O-Art Dec-O-Art is an industry leading supplier of government mandated labels, information labels, custom decals, and label imprinting software. Having worked with the trailer and RV industries for 45 years, their regulatory expertise helps ensure their customers stay in compliance. Dec-O-Art’s catalog labels ship within 24 hours of an order and are available at www.decodirect.com. Their custom decal options can be viewed at www.dec-o-art.com.
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