Section 305.31. Modifications affecting height of a vehicle.

 

(1)  Modifications authorized by s. 347.455 , Stats., may not cause the front or rear bumper height of any vehicle to be altered more than the distance allowed by s. 347.455 , Stats., from the original height of the bumper as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Four wheel drive vehicles and motor trucks with a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds may not be modified so as to cause the vehicles to ride more than a total of 9 inches above the height of the vehicles specified by the manufacturer combining alterations under s. 347.455 (2) , Stats., and changes in tire size under s. 347.455 (3) , Stats. In the absence of manufacturer's specifications, every bumper shall meet the height standards established by s. Trans 305.18 (2) (a) .

(2)  Changes in the height of a vehicle shall be measured from the level surface on which the vehicle stands to any part of the vehicle. When measuring to a part of the vehicle body, consideration shall be given to specific modifications allowed by s. Trans 305.21 (3) in addition to alterations allowed by s. 347.455 , Stats.

(3)  The manufacturer's specified height of any part of a vehicle may be determined from the data published by the manufacturer or other manufacturer publications, such as the owner's manual, or by comparison with a similar model vehicle as normally delivered by the manufacturer.

(4)  No person may operate any vehicle which has a fixed part of the vehicle located in a position that would contact the road surface before the rim in the event of tire failure.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482 , eff. 3-1-96; am. (4), Register, October, 1997, No. 502 , eff. 11-1-97.