Reflective Tape (Reflex)

RJ · April 11, 2018, 06:30:40 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on April 11, 2018, 06:25:40 PM
Can't see the pix over there. Does one need to be registered to see photos on that site?

Richard -

I've been a member over there for so long I've fogotten, but I believe you do. Simple process, and Buswarrior is one of the moderators, so could/would approve you quickly.

Right, Buswarrior?

buswarrior · April 11, 2018, 06:33:00 PM

You call yourself a busnut and you only belong to one Board?

sheesh.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

richard5933 · April 11, 2018, 07:04:26 PM

Ok - I'm guilty.

Just submitted registration.

windtrader · April 12, 2018, 10:40:33 AM

A little more research on reflective tape for large trucks.

this article discusses more about the DOT and other agencies covering this subject. Commercial truck and trailers are covered, not buses.
https://www.seton.com/blog/2014/01/reflective-tape-regulations-what-you-need-to-know

This article shows recommended placement of the striping
https://reflectivetapedirect.com/collections/dot-reflective-tape

Here's a link to a specific 3M product This one is 2", there are wider ones available.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-White-Conspicuity-Tape/dp/B0000AXEFE

It seems highly likely there is no federal regulation on reflective tape on a converted OTR bus, now a consumer RV. However, the fact remains we are driving a commercial class vehicle. One other clarification is the white/red repeating pattern is the approved color/pattern/size. Other colors are not mentioned. Probably not illegal but not technically legal.

RJ · April 12, 2018, 12:35:38 PM

Quote from: windtrader on April 12, 2018, 10:40:33 AM
Other colors are not mentioned. Probably not illegal but not technically legal.

Don -

Explain, then, the yellow reflective tape found on school buses?

Since we don't normally travel after sunset, I'm not worried about being stopped by the gendarmes.

I wanted the visibility for when we're parked overnight, be it in a campground, Wally World, rest stop, truck stop, etc.

FWIW & HTH. . .

buswarrior · April 12, 2018, 03:54:22 PM

If we are going to discuss regulations...

Shouldn't we refer to regulations?

Let's leave the careless conjecture to social media and keep the tradition and discipline of good research on the bus forums?

It is quite acceptable to say "I don't know the rest, but here's what I found so far"

Why haven't busnuts been rounded up and ticketed for the way we display now? Why can I find so much variation between units at a bus rally, yet we aren't ticketed?

Indeed, what's with the yellow tape? No tape? Different colours of tape?

This is not an issue of opinion.

Keep digging, you'll get there!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

windtrader · April 12, 2018, 04:06:24 PM

Well, why are school busses yellow?

Maybe school bus have different federal safety regulations.

dig dig did find this - closer to answer i guess, good enough for me.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/571.217
S5.5.3 School Bus.
49 CFR 571.217 - Standard No. 217

Here is some fun stuff regarding the school bus stop sign including color range and reflectivity.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/571.131

This explicitly calls out yellow as the reflective color
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:SDTFZCMTJ0IJ:reflectivetape.info/fmvss-131-fmvss-217-school-bus-reflective-tape-marking-requirements/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

I don't care - pick any color you want. Practically speaking any will offer more safety, just not sure what the technical legalities are. You can dig more if you get in front of a judge. lol