another inspection question...

[Bossman]

Are Tech inspections required at all TLCA events? Specifically, at TLCA sanctioned "open" events and Unsanctioned "open" events? If so, how do you deal with the non-Toyota vehicles?

 

[pjohnson]

We require safety check for Mud N Yer Eye which is an open event. I don't know if TLCA requires it, but I would think the insurance carrier would.

Phil

 

[Rzeppa]

Are Tech inspections required at all TLCA events? Specifically, at TLCA sanctioned "open" events and Unsanctioned "open" events? If so, how do you deal with the non-Toyota vehicles?

Yes, they are for all events which involve wheeling. A Rally Event, such as PMC's swap meet and Rising Sun's Rally do not.

This is as much about participant's and bystander's safety as it is for our insurance. It's the right thing to do.

 

[Green Lantern]

Yep, what Jeff said with one addition. The bylaws specifically give control of safety inspections to the host club. That way, the chapter decides how to "inspect" non-Toyota rigs to the satisfaction of the local chapter and the off-road park.
HTH
Happy Trails! N

Yes, they are for all events which involve wheeling. A Rally Event, such as PMC's swap meet and Rising Sun's Rally do not.

This is as much about participant's and bystander's safety as it is for our insurance. It's the right thing to do.

 

[Bossman]

Yep, what Jeff said with one addition. The bylaws specifically give control of safety inspections to the host club. That way, the chapter decides how to "inspect" non-Toyota rigs to the satisfaction of the local chapter and the off-road park.
HTH
Happy Trails! N

...thereby absolving the TLCA of all responsibility for the inspection process (for inspections required by TLCA???) and placing the onus back on the local club effectively making the insurance worthless?

I can see this unfold:

Guy shows up at a TLCA event and passes "inspection". Guy gets into trouble when brakes fail. (may or may not have had a problem at the time of inspection which would have given the inspector a reason to fail him) Guy thinks to himself...hey, they said my vehicle was safe and now I have someone else to blame. Guy sues TLCA, local chapter, the venue and it's owners, and all individuals involved in hosting the event. TLCA insurers do a quick investigation and find that the the local host club used "discretion" in the inspection process of some, or all, vehicles and quickly heads for the door. Sound about right?

I guess what I'm seeing is either do the inspection and hold firm on the standards set by TLCA guidlines or don't bother. Still don't see where this strict enforcement of the TLCA inspection guidelines is going to protect anyone (other than TLCA) when this guys brake line gets bashed on a rock AFTER inspection and the above story unfolds. The simple act of doing the inspection and making a judgement that a vehicle is "safe" would tend to assess culpability on the inspecting party would it not?

Just sayin'...

 

[Green Lantern]

Yes.... and no.

Wheeling is inherently dangerous. The safety inspection guidelines provided by TLCA only do two things. First, it assures the TLCA insurer that we insist on certain safety requirements at the event. And two, it provides guidance to our chapters.

TLCA doesn't host the event, the chapter does. If the chapter decides to "approve" anybody (and that's happened) the onus is on the chapter. If TLCA gets Nazi on the rules, it still won't guarantee that some bozo won't sue everyone.

In my time no one has ever tried to sue a chapter or TLCA on safety. In the future, someone might but everyone depends on the host chapter to cull out folks that appear unsafe. Of course, the off-road park and TLCA require ALL drivers to sign waivers to avoid lawsuits based on greed instead of logic.

Hope that helps,
Happy Trails! N

...thereby absolving the TLCA of all responsibility for the inspection process (for inspections required by TLCA???) and placing the onus back on the local club effectively making the insurance worthless?

<SNIP>
The simple act of doing the inspection and making a judgement that a vehicle is "safe" would tend to assess culpability on the inspecting party would it not?

Just sayin'...

 

[Bossman]

Yes.... and no.

Wheeling is inherently dangerous. The safety inspection guidelines provided by TLCA only do two things. First, it assures the TLCA insurer that we insist on certain safety requirements at the event.


Except that the TLCA is open about it's position r.e. Local host clubs being allowed latitude to employ strict enforcement of the rules or to be lax if it chooses. How does that assure anything?

And two, it provides guidance to our chapters.
N

The "guidance" is exactly my concern. It's kinda like the debate over calling these things "safety" inspections or "tech" inspections. The implication is that the host club and, by extension, the TLCA is confirming a vehicle is "safe" in an inherently unsafe activity. I plan to stay far, far away from putting myself in that position.

 

[Green Lantern]

I agree with you. All of us have to cautious about who we "approve" to participate. Insurance protects itself, not the insured. Sad, but true.

But, on a positive note... cruiserheads work hard to look out for one another. And the waivers offer us some protection from frivolous lawsuits.

Hope that helps,
N

The "guidance" is exactly my concern. It's kinda like the debate over calling these things "safety" inspections or "tech" inspections. The implication is that the host club and, by extension, the TLCA is confirming a vehicle is "safe" in an inherently unsafe activity. I plan to stay far, far away from putting myself in that position.

 

[D'Animal]

It is really a judgement call on the person doing the inspection and is a huge responsibility.

When we did annual Club inspections at my place, there were three columns next to each item inspected item.

For the Tech Inspections
Meets requirements
Does Not meet requirements
Broke and needs immediate attention

For Safety Inspections
Meets requirements
Does Not meet requirements / inadequate
Needs immediate attention

The owner/operator would sign the inspection sheet and they would get a copy and we (the club) would keep a copy. We considered this a To-Do list for the owner/operator.

Way too much pissing and arguing about;
2 bandaids held together with a rubber band was considered a First Aid Kit.
2 4x6 blocks of wood are considered an emergency brake
Fire extinguisher the size of a small can of red bull is not considered adequate
Sissor jack from a VW Bug is not really a jack for lifting your 40" tire rig
You are missing the knuckle studs. (No kidding, its a Jeep)

The list goes on and on and these are club members and we know each other. I cannot imagine holding an open event where strangers show up. I don't even attend the club inspections anymore since my rig is a diesel and the E-brake will not stop the rig or stall the motor in second gear, as outlined in the regs. I will not attend Cruise Moab since I know I will not pass the inspection.

Going back to the judgement call on the person doing the inspection. If I am that person and the owner/operator has to dig through a case of empty beer cans to find thier first aid kit, I'm going to be a little more criticle on the rest of the inspection. But that is me.