NATM president urges TREAD Act action

Feb. 3, 2003
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers is urging its members to contact their senators and congressional representatives in an effort to exempt
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers is urging its members to contact their senators and congressional representatives in an effort to exempt trailers with GVW ratings of 26,000 pounds or less from the early warning requirements of the TREAD Act.

Congressman Tom Latham of Iowa will introduce as a rider to the DOT/NHTSA appropriations bill that will do exactly that, according to NATM Helmke. The rider says:

"SEC. __. WEIGHT EXEMPTION FOR CLASSIFICATION OF TRAILER MANUFACTURERS. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of the early warning reporting requirements contained in section 30166(m), title 49, United States Code, manufacturers of trailers rated at 26,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight shall not, for such trailers, be subject to the additional reporting requirements required of large manufacturers of trailers under section 579.24 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations."

“Thank you to all of the members who have contacted their Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen regarding NHTSA's EWR regulation,” Helmke said in a message to NATM members. “We have made great headway, but we need to double our efforts in this fight, so if you have not already done so, we need you to act now.”

Helmke also urged members to contact Congressman Latham to express support for his legislative approach. The e-mail address, phone number/name of individual representatives can be found at www.house.gov >.

Additional information is available from Pam O'Toole at NATM Headquarters (785) 272-4433.