UHCA Scores Major Victory for Pilot CarMembers
UHCA was successful in securing an amendment to AB 420 which would REQUIRE the use of escort (pilot) cars in the transport of extra wide manufactured homes. If AB 420 is signed by the Governor, manufactured homes up to 16 feet in width will be manufactured in California (they are already manufactured in 37 other states) and under specified conditions, allowed to be transported throughout the state. The sponsor of the bill has worked diligently with Caltrans and the CHP to come to an agreement. The required permit conditions would include:
* Service brakes on all wheels and a breakaway brake device
* No weight on any tire, wheel, or axle which exceeds the manufacturer's maximum
rating, with no axle weight to exceed 6,000 pounds and no wheel weight exceeding
3,000 pounds.
* A minimum tire tread depth of 2/32 (1/16) inch.
* Certification to tranporters by manufacturers and dealers that the housing unit
complies with specified construction and equipment standards.
* Proper hitches, drawbars, and lights as well as covers for open sides.
* An identification plate.
AB 420 would authorize Caltrans, in cooperation with the CHP, to establish additional reasonable permit conditions, including special routing and escorting requirements. Despite oppositon by the California State Automobile Association and the Automobile Club of Southern California, AB 420 passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee on June 4 by a 5-2 vote.