Fun with PA vehicle inspections

[Al Swope]

I damaged the tailgate on my Toyota, when I accidently left the tailgate down while backing up a trailer. I made arrangements and dropped off the tailgate at the body shop for repair. Later that day, I took my truck to the Toyota dealer for the 15K service. I asked them to do the PA inspection because it was coming due. The service manager comes to the waiting room and says, my guy wont inspect your truck without a tailgate. Do you want to reschedule?
(me)NO, I want you to inspect the truck.
(him)Can’t be done.
(me) Show me the code.

Here it is
(f) Doors. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with doors of a type used as original equipment. The doors shall open and close securely unless the vehicle has been manufactured or modified to the extent that there is no roof or side. Tailgates, except on vehicles where the tailgate gives access to the passenger compartment, may be replaced with wood planking, nets or other material that will prevent loss of load. Tailgates may be removed when optional equipment, for example a truck camper, is added.

I said “please see the Bed Cargo Divider with Speed Holes™
View attachment 3427

They begrudgingly had to inspect it. They guy probably pee’d in my gas tank, but I got a good laugh. BTW, I was only at the dealer for the free service. I know better to go there with an actual problem.

 

[bob91yj]

State inspections are a double edged sword. We don't have any sort of inspections in CA other than smog inspections. Makes it nice for modified vehicles, but at the same time, we have some real hunks of junk on the road that don't belong there.

 

[mtnbike28]

I have always heard PA can be a pain.... good thing you have the Bed Cargo Separator with optional speed holes!

 

[Al Swope]

State inspections are a double edged sword. QUOTE]

It's too bad we can't use it to lop of the govenors head. Statistically we are no safer than any state with a safety inspection. Unfortunately we will never be rid of these cursed inspections. There is a entire economy built around inspection shops and the bogus repairs they require. While I was waiting for my truck, the same service manager spoke to a women who was also waitng.

(him)Your brakes seem "grabby"
(her) what could that be?
(him) probably calipers
(her) is that dangerous
(him) yes it could cause a crash
(her) how much
(him)$450
(her) i have to call my husband

I asked her what kind of car she had, 2013 toyota with 9K on it. I told her to go elseware. She said she didn't notice any problem with the brakes.

 

[Haggis]

State Inspections are a monetary goldmine for a great number of garages and the State gets an awful lot of revenue from it also. Not only in the fee for the sticker but in the fine if your caught with an out of date inspection.

On the other hand garages that act with integrity often have a very large client base as folks who know appreciate an honest shop.

Ohhh...I've never heard a garage fail a truck without a tailgate on. What do they do with homemade wood beds or even manufacture landscape beds?