All single vehicles with a gross weight of over 3 tons, and all trailers with a rated payload exceeding 11/2 tons, are classified for the purpose of bridge crossing, per FM 5-36. Each single vehicle and vehicle combination has a classification number for empty, cross-country loading, and highway loading. The classification numbers are used to determine whether a bridge, correspondingly classified, can be safely crossed.
All applicable self-propelled vehicles not towing other vehicles will carry a circular sign of 9 inch diameter with the vehicle's classification number in black on a yellow background. This will normally be located on the front of the vehicle toward the vehicle's right side and below the driver's line of vision.
All applicable self-propelled vehicles towing other vehicles will carry a sign similar in size, design, and location except that the classification number of the vehicle combination will be shown with the letter C in red above the number. A 6 inch yellow circle with the basic vehicle classification number in black will be marked on the right side of the vehicle in a conspicuous location. The towed vehicle will be similarly marked with its basic classification number.
When the classification number of the vehicle is not subject to change, the marking may be applied directly on a suitable surface. On vehicles painted in gloss colours, the markings will be gloss yellow, Colour Chip No. 13538; gloss black, Colour Chip No. 17038; and gloss red, Colour Chip No. 11136. On vehicles painted in semi-gloss or lusterless colours, the markings will be lusterless yellow, Colour Chip No. 33538; gloss black, Colour Chip No. 17038 and gloss red, Colour Chip No. 11136. When the marking is applied directly to vehicles painted in the same or similar colour, the circumference of the circle will be outlined with a black circle .3/4, inch wide.
In usage's where the classification number may change, a sign kit will be utilised which consists of a 9 inch metal disk, a retaining plate, and two sets of five different numeral plates. By installing the retaining plate, the numeral plates will be locked in place. The sign has black numerals on a yellow background and a red C on one side of the retaining plate (figure 14).
