I completely agree they should be illegal. Sadly I don’t think they are. This is the closest Texas law I could find:

Sec. 547.612. RESTRICTIONS ON USE AND SALE OF TIRES. (a) A solid rubber tire used on a vehicle must have rubber on the traction surface that extends above the edge of the flange of the periphery.
(b) A person may not operate or move a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that has a metal tire in contact with the roadway, unless:
(1) the vehicle is a farm wagon or farm trailer that has a gross weight of less than 5,000 pounds; and
(2) the owner is transporting farm products to market, for processing, or from farm to farm.
(c) A tire used on a moving vehicle may not have on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or other protuberance of a material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface, unless the protuberance:
(1) does not injure the highway; or
(2) is a tire chain of reasonable proportion that is used as required for safety because of a condition that might cause the vehicle to skid.
(d) The Texas Transportation Commission and a local authority within its jurisdiction may issue a special permit that authorizes a person to operate a tractor or traction engine that has movable tracks with transverse corrugations on the periphery or a farm tractor or other farm machinery.
(e) A person commits an offense if the person offers for sale or sells a private passenger automobile tire that is regrooved. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $2,000.

Section (c) would apply, but then (c)(1) says it doesn’t apply as long as it doesn’t injure the highway.

Well it could be legal if they put clearance lights on the roof and sides?

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
In Texas, after a car's 2nd year off the new car lot you have to get annual state inspections. For example, I got flagged one year because my 5.3L V8 was stronger than the parking break that I hadn't used in 2 years (Houston is basically flat).

Texas DPS recently did a sting on a shop for falsifying annual state inspections in North Houston so I imagine it's a wake up call for Houston shops performing inspections.

I believe a lot (some) of them are a hubcap attachment, so easy to remove for inspection.

What seems to be the issue?
They fit within the lane of traffic yes?

Do they stick out any further than that of dually bed flares compared to the body or tow mirrors on a truck?

Sure they look ridiculous, but does operating with them cause an issue? They are wider than the body of the car but still within the lane.
Same when folks put wide tires and spacers on a truck and the wheels stick way outside the fender wells.

I always thought that was technically a no no as well.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:

Last time I checked (a couple months ago) flashing brake lights were still illegal, but I see more and more of them all the time.

As an aside I hate those flashing brake lights.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
What seems to be the issue? Perhaps you could read entire thread before posting...
They fit within the lane of traffic yes?They appear to be wider than the 102" as that is the legal standard not the width of a 12' highway lane.

Do they stick out any further than that of dually bed flares compared to the body or tow mirrors on a truck? Those are engineered and I guarantee GM, Ford, and Dodge aren't exceeding the 102" limit.

Sure they look ridiculous, but does operating with them cause an issue? They do if they're too wide and he hits other vehicles. He was a pretty aggressive driver both times I've seen him. The first time I saw him in was in stop and go traffic where he was weaving in and out and those things were barely missing other cars.

Responses in red

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
Street Legal?

Come down to Tucson where you'll see trucks with out doors on the road, dune buggies and off the road vehicles with license plates.

The only vehicle inspection here is for emissions.

It’s quite nice being able to take the Razor out to work and get in some four wheelin at lunchtime.