Labor and Industries inspection

[RTD]

Hello, I'm also a newbie to this forum. Just starting my build as I'm soon to be "mostly retired". Here in the State of Washington, one of the things you can do is have your plans and teardrop inspected by the Department of Labor and Industries. According to the Department this is not necessary unless you plan to rent it or sell it in Washington. Well, trying to be a good citizen and builder, I thought it would be a good idea to go this route.

What the Department does is review your plans for approval, including but not limited to, propane line size, electrical, plumbing and drain lines, smoke and gas detectors, fire extinguishers etc. They have you download the requirements in the rules book, but at least for me, they are so vague and un-user friendly that I have all but given up.

I would like to "do it by the book" but I need to talk to someone who has done it before, and who could help me, either by adjusting my plans or using their plans. If I could just see what it is that they are looking for in the drawings it would be most helpful.

I will have a fresh water tank with pump, along with a grey water tank, no black water, along with all the other usual things found on most teardrops.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum!
And welcome from the PNW Chapter of the Tear Jerkers (Chapter Director).
Forget the book!
My approach to most things that can be bogged down by Bureaucrats (I was one) is to avoid them at any cost!
Sort of the old poking a hornets nest with a stick theory!!
Go ahead....do your building homework, include the things you really know you will need, and build away.
Make it happen so you can join us camping as soon as possible!!
Lost camping time, is time you will never get back!
I too am just trying to be retired, and TD camping has been my way out the past two years!
There are some wonderful people in this hobby, way of life, addiction, or what ever you call it????
Where are you in Washington?
Now for my suggestions for your build ( after two years, over a dozen Gatherings, 21,000 miles , 10 States, 2 Provinces, and 104 night in Miss Piggy)........Forget the fresh water tank, the grey water tank, the water pump, and the the sink. Build at least 5' wide, use the largest radial tires ( 15" but narrow)you can, make sure you have an AC power intlet (AC & DC power), use a converter not an inverter (carry an inverter for emergencies??) buy the best 12V 27 series Deep cell battery you can, use a torsion ride axle (Dexter) not a cheap spring style axle, wire twice as many AC & DC plugs as you think you need, and make sure you build "waterproof"!!
There is lots of help here on the Forum! Just ask!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[RTD]

I'm down south in Vancouver. I see what you are saying, and plan on building it the way I think it should be done, L and I or not. I am building it 5 feet by 10 feet and little taller that most at 5 feet tall to the bottom of the frame. unfortunately I need the water etc. for my wife's sake. She's not what you would call a roughing it kind of girl, so the more conveniences for her the better, including a port-a-potty. No way she's going outside in the middle of the night.
I do have the torsion ride suspension along with the radial tires, as well as the converter. Most of the little stuff I have been collecting for the past 6 months or so, lights, wires, plugs etc.
I'm a woodworker in my spare time and really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this project.
I will continue to scan the pages and pages of great information here on the site.
Thanks for all you help.

[halfdome, Danny]

I think you're opening a can of worms that doesn't need to be opened.
Forget L&I and build to DOT specks.
If the trailer is 80" or wider including the fenders you'll need a high mount brake and clearance light.
The tail lights need to be attached to the farthest rear point and at the widest as possible.
The fenders need clearance light too if it's over 80".
I put amber clearance lights on the side front and red ones on the side rear.
I also put some red reflectors on the rear for good measure.
When the trailer is completed make an appointment with the State Patrol for your inspection.
Bring along all the major receipts like the chassis/axle, wood, exterior cladding and your weight certificate and you'll be good.
The State Patrol will measure the trailer, glance that you have satisfied DOT regulations as far as lighting is concerned and stamp a VIN number on the tongue along with a Washington State VIN sticker.
You'll then take all the receipts the officer stamps to the DOl, pay your fees and attach the new license plate on the rear and you're good to go camping.
Check out this thread for more information.
Danny

[tlsallada]

Here in the state of Pennsylvania getting a trailer registered has become a major hassle. I recently (today) tried to purchase a stripped down pop up trailer frame and ran into hassles while at the notary to get the title transferred. The owner of the trailer is going to try to get the VIN number plate from what's left of the old trailer but I will probably end up going the State of Maine registration route.
Being the good citizen I try to be isn't so easy here in the state where the motto used to be, "You've Got A Friend In Pennsylvania" !!

[Yak]

Here in the state of Pennsylvania getting a trailer registered has become a major hassle. I recently (today) tried to purchase a stripped down pop up trailer frame and ran into hassles while at the notary to get the title transferred. The owner of the trailer is going to try to get the VIN number plate from what's left of the old trailer but I will probably end up going the State of Maine registration route.
Being the good citizen I try to be isn't so easy here in the state where the motto used to be, "You've Got A Friend In Pennsylvania" !!

If there is a title for the trailer there should be no problem, no title, that's another story

[JaggedEdges]

Probably about 15 years ago, I was trying to check the propane stove, oven and fridge installation in a then two decade old camper. It looked like it might have been messed with, so I was trying to do it "by the book" .... yah well... apparently you need about another couple of feet of camper to do it "properly". Went back and forth looking at Federal, Provincial regs and standards... and the problem being, you often can't get a straight "what the law is" but some bureaucrat interpretation, that's basically a cover their arse recommendation. I kinda gave up on it, and went with a common sense leak/routing/security check, because the "law" was apparently telling me that every brand new RV on the lot was out of compliance.