TL-2 vs. TL-3 Attenuators: Which You Need

Test levels come down to speed. Pick the wrong one and your truck is either over-built or not legal for the road. Here is how TL-2 and TL-3 differ.

MASH rates attenuators by test level, and for TMAs the two that matter are TL-2 and TL-3. The difference is the crash speed the unit was tested to survive. Match the test level to your posted work-zone speed and you have the right truck.

The speed line

• TL-2 covers work zones at or below about 45 mph
• TL-3 covers 50 mph and above, crash tested at roughly 62 mph
• Some attenuators offer an optional test to 70 mph for higher-speed corridors

Choosing for your jobs

If you work city streets and lower-speed arterials, a TL-2 unit is enough and typically costs less. If you touch highways or interstates, you need TL-3. The Scorpion II, for example, is a TL-3 attenuator built for those higher speeds. When a fleet works a mix of both, most buyers spec TL-3 so one truck covers every job.

Can I run a TL-2 truck on a 55 mph highway?

No. TL-2 is only rated to about 45 mph. A highway at 50 mph or more requires a TL-3 attenuator to meet the standard.

Is TL-3 worth the extra cost if most of my work is slow?

If you never exceed 45 mph, TL-2 is sufficient. Spec TL-3 only when your routes include higher-speed zones, or when you want one truck that works everywhere.