My son was pulled over by the WSP yesterday for not having a tailgate!
The trooper said you have to have a gate or a net. I think it is a cop picking on a 16yr old in a hot rod truck. :m5:

Never heard of that. What do you do if you have a flat bed? Sounds like a load to me! I'd call the WSP and ask.

He called the WSP afterschool & a trooper said "you do not need a tailgate but you must have a rear bumper to mount the license plate to" He asked the cop what about people with roll pans? As you would guess the cop said whats a roll pan? I told him you might as well learn to play the game.

I dont know about your state, But......On most older trucks a rear bumber was an option! So if it didnt come with a rear bumber it doesnt need a rear bumber!

You don't need a tailgate or bumper. The only way I could see your son getting a bunch of crap is if he's got stuff in back that could roll out the back of the truck. Like previously said....what about flatbeds? Cops can be such a pain in the ass sometimes! :rolleyes:

Did he get a ticket? It was probably just an excuse to pull your son over and look for pot or beer. If he doesn't write a ticket, he doesn't have to tell you anything more. I doubt that a tailgate is required when hauling a load, as quite often the tailgate is placed down to expand your hauling capacity - like 12' boards.

If you are ever pulled over ask the officer to state the infraction by RCW number. That is the Revised Code of Washington. All the motor vehicle laws fall under chapter 46. I can find nothing under there that says ANYTHING about a tailgate. See for yourself.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/rcw/index.cfm?fuseaction=title&title=46

For those member who don't know me I am a retired Army MP w/ 16 years law enforcement, 5 of those years here in WA. Sounds like you boy was being hassled.

Sounds like you boy was being hassled.

Thats what I think. When he had all his ducks in a row The trooper had to tell him something. We put the gate back on (we smoothed the gate & relocated the handle to the inside & was waiting to paint it before putting it back on) I hate to bend over, BUT I don't want him to get into a pi**ing match with the State Patrol.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?section=46.37.510&fuseaction=section

JUST AN FYI to all WA Truck owners, take a look at the SEATBELT laws. If I'm reading this correct 1968 and above ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE SHOULDER BELTS!

The Gray area is that it says PASSENGER CARS..... could this also apply to trucks? I'm safe by one year but the majority of you out there might have something to worry about if you catch a cop on a bad day. Do we have any Lawyers in our midst?


RCW 46.37.510
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses.

(1) No person may sell any automobile manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1964, nor may any owner cause such vehicle to be registered thereafter under the provisions of chapter 46.12 RCW unless such motor car or automobile is equipped with automobile seat belts installed for use on the front seats thereof which are of a type and installed in a manner conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol. Where registration is for transfer from an out-of-state license, the applicant shall be informed of this section by the issuing agent and has thirty days to comply. The state patrol shall adopt and enforce standards as to what constitutes adequate and safe seat belts and for the fastening and installation of them. Such standards shall not be below those specified as minimum requirements by the Society of Automotive Engineers on June 13, 1963.

(2) Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with at least two lap-type safety belt assemblies for use in the front seating positions.

(3) Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with a lap-type safety belt assembly for each permanent passenger seating position. This requirement shall not apply to police vehicles.

(4) Every passenger car manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1968, shall be equipped with at least two shoulder harness-type safety belt assemblies for use in the front seating positions.

(5) The state patrol shall excuse specified types of motor vehicles or seating positions within any motor vehicle from the requirements imposed by subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section when compliance would be impractical.

(6) No person may distribute, have for sale, offer for sale, or sell any safety belt or shoulder harness for use in motor vehicles unless it meets current minimum standards and specifications conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol or the United States department of transportation.

I got a feeling your son may have been pulled over for more than just not having a tailgate and it was merely mentioned in the conversation and he didnt tell you all the conversation. That happens quite abit. I am aquintance to many a WSP trooper and I know of none that would stop a vehicle for only not having just a tailgate.

I respect the hard job they have and demanding they quote an RCW at the scene is not going to help your sitiuation. :crazy:
I wouldnt get to worked up about being stopped when they are just looking out for the good of motoring public, they get enough crap in a day from people trying to get away with crap I would always be respectful.

Just food for thought.

The Gray area is that it says PASSENGER CARS.....

Cars were required to have shoulder belts in 68. I think trucks weren't required until 76 or 77.

71Chevystepside:
The trooper told him he pulled him over for no tailgate. I also have great respect for law enforcement( a good friend of mine is a trooper in vanc.) I also see no problem with asking for an RCW code.

I live in Oregon and even if you are friends with WSP that doesn't mean they don't harrass people. I was pulled over for having clear side marker lights even though I had red LED lights in them and I was on the Freeway doing the speed limit. I have also seen MANY people pulled over in Tacoma area for 5 over the speed limit sorry but I think that is BS because someone getting pulled over on the Freeway has a higher chance of causing an accident then people doing 5 over. OK I'm done with my little rant.

I got a feeling your son may have been pulled over for more than just not having a tailgate and it was merely mentioned in the conversation and he didnt tell you all the conversation. That happens quite abit. I am aquintance to many a WSP trooper and I know of none that would stop a vehicle for only not having just a tailgate.

I respect the hard job they have and demanding they quote an RCW at the scene is not going to help your sitiuation. :crazy:
I wouldnt get to worked up about being stopped when they are just looking out for the good of motoring public, they get enough crap in a day from people trying to get away with crap I would always be respectful.

Just food for thought.

I to have friends that are in law enforcement and they will tell you that some of there own do stupid things and push the way they beleive the law reads on you. In fact I had 2 of them with me when we were going form Spokane to Seattle for the Seahawks NFC championship game when we got pulled over 15 miles west of Ritzville. He was going the opposite way and we were in a group of cars and trucks. I was driving my 05 Chevy Avalanche. He said he pulled me over because I did not have mud flaps. This set me off. Hewas a jerk from the get go. Finally my two friends with me told him who they were and showed him there ID. That is when he backed off. He was just looking for a reason to look in the rig and or to right a ticket. I am 36 and clean cut driving a new rig. So it is not based on looks or old or young as I am a banker and do not fit most profiles to get pulled over. My friends call these guys SUPER TROOPERS and they say these guys let there job go to there heads and egos.