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Legal to drive on roads

Discussion in 'General Truck Info' started by kmoneil, Jun 3, 2007.

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  1. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    You guys all have good points, and don't get me wrong, I would love to see them become street legal as my sales would go up. But as I mentioned earlier, many states have very strict regulations on who and where you can sell used cars. If these trucks become street legal, then they will fall under the states used car guidelines. Which will do several things. 1. It will stop all the guys that are importing these trucks and selling them from their driveway, backyard, street corner...or wherever. 2. Since only licensed car dealers can sell them, the importation will drop off, and the supply will go down, which will raise the prices. 3. They will be subject to all the regulations you current family car is, Insurance, Safety Inspections, Emissions etc.

    The problem here is we have a blanket federal law that superseds all the state laws. So only a new federal law will do us any good, unless they abolish the current federal law and allow the states to handle it individually. But then it is a gamble on what your state will do.

    Might take an act of congress....lol.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2007
  2. MazKid

    MazKid New Member

    If I can find one, I plan on driving a Scrum on the street. It would be nice to have it registered, but if not I have a dealer plate from work that should be ok.

    Just like everyone else, I don't see why these things are limited and not allowed on the roads. I'm the type that just doesn't care though, because in the end I'd use the truck as I see fit until someone important tells me I can't.
     
  3. Colin

    Colin Member

    I can see why they're not allowed - politics. I'm like you, though - I'll use mine on the street until they impound it and take away my license. I'm buying tabs and I've got liability insurance - that's all that matters. :)

    Colin
     
  4. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    That's why the world in is the shape it is today, everyone is concerned about nothing but themselves. When one of you is seriously injured or killed, make sure your surviving family members post some good pictures here...maybe then the others will realize why the feds created the law.
     
  5. MazKid

    MazKid New Member

    I don't get it...they are mini trucks. Wrecking into another car would be less damaging than a regular US car...so basically the only one "put in danger" by these things are the drivers/passengers of them...the same could be argued about people driving around in old rusted MGBs or Geo Metros - they are small cars offering very little safety.

    I don't see how anyone could blame a mini truck dealer for a death/injury in the truck unless there was mechanical failure. No one is forced to drive one of these trucks, and it's not exactly as easy to obtain/maintain one over any other car, so those people driving them on the street already know they are different, breaking the law, and taking a risk.

    Same goes for the people riding dirt bikes or ATVs on the roads - it's a risk they know they are taking and if something goes wrong they can only blame themselfs.

    So...how do you get insurance on one anyway, without a US VIN?
     
  6. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    Dealers should not hold any libility for crashes involving mini trucks that they sold. That is as long as they documented the sale properly and did not remove the speed restrictors. The problem is, the only way the US Customs will let them cross into the US is if they are speed restricted and used for off road only. So those of you that have your one truck and are happy with it...keep it in good shape, becuase when the wrecks on the public road start happening...the importation of these trucks will STOP.
     
  7. Colin

    Colin Member

    Oh, please. The world is in the shape it is today because of private interests, lobbyists, and politics - EXACTLY what's preventing these trucks from being legalized for road use stateside. The law you mention covers any non EPA approved vehicles - not just these little trucks, and certainly not because they're physically unfit to travel on our roadways.

    Why would you imply that one of us is going to crash our trucks? As a professional driver and a guy who's protective of his vehicles, I'm offended. If I'm broadsided in a Festiva would you want my next of kin to post pictures? How about a motorcycle? An old Toyota van? There are a LOT of vehicles that aren't any safer than a kei truck.

    Sorry if I offended anyone in my pursuit of happiness. :rolleyes:

    Colin
     
  8. oldfart

    oldfart New Member

    I just acquired one of these little trucks, and while I think it's really cool, I don't think I'd want to get hit in it. I just don't think passenger safety is the number one feature of these buggies.
     
  9. Colin

    Colin Member

    Yeah, they definitely didn't intend these things to take a hit from a soccer mom in a Suburban - that's why it's important to drive defensively and never let your guard down.

    Colin
     
  10. erringer

    erringer Guest

    I'll just let the record speak for itself.
     
  11. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    What's your point? I am not shy to say I do not support driving these vehicles on the public highways. As you have so generously pointed out.

    It amazes me sometimes how people will blatantly state they are going to violate the law in a public forum.

    I know for a fact that CBP monitors the Internet for this kind of activity.

    Colin,

    I am also a professional driver with over 28 years experience. On the public road it does not matter how good a driver you are. I live in the 2nd worst city in the US for traffic, and I would never consider driving one of these trucks on public roads.

    Persue you happines all you want, as long as it does not effect me or my business, I don't care.
     
  12. MazKid

    MazKid New Member

    You honestly think that someone from the EPA or Police would sit on a dead-zone of a mini truck forum, of all things, and try to hunt down what would be 1 person per metro area that posts about driving these on public roads?

    I'm a member of a local car forum, STLSR...that stands for St. Louis Street Racing...not everyone races, and it's not a bunch of idiots, but some do race...posting stories about beating this car and that car on this road and that highway. There's a better chance that the police are watching that forum...there are hundreds of members and very unique and easy to I.D. cars and pictures of thier owners. It doesn't matter...the police may monitor it, but just because someone says they drove 140mph down I-70 doesn't mean they did, and the police can't prove it.

    Point being, I said I'd be driving the truck on the streets...the chances of law enforcement tracking me down on the internet is slim to none.

    Besides...a dealer sells the trucks, it's up to the customer how they use them. No one can change that...I gaurantee you that the FBI isn't sitting in a conference room talking about a sting to get all of the mini truck owners and dealers.

    Not trying to argue, and I'd hate to be the one to put an end to the mini truck importation, but I won't be the one.
     
  13. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    I guess at 20 years old you have allot of learning to do. There is allot more to it than what you think. I have been in the business longer than you have been alive, you will live and learn.

    I would just be cautious what you post on the internet.
     
  14. MazKid

    MazKid New Member

    Point taken. I just look at things different. Then again, I'm not a dealer, and I'd probably be saying some of the same things you are if I was.
     
  15. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    Hey guys,

    It it obvious that I am not an advocate of driving these trucks on the public highway and I am not tying to force my opinion on anyone. We all have our opinions and we have the right to express them as we feel necessary. I just know that violating the law is not the best thing to boast about.
     
  16. ShoeUnited

    ShoeUnited New Member

    I was thinking about owning one of these vehicles. Now seeing the hassle involved it is rather a deterrent.

    Specifically, I'm wondering about the saftey issue that was raised. Are these Dateline (exploding) style vehicles, or could they simply be fixed by a roll cage?

    -Shoe
     
  17. Wolfman

    Wolfman Member

    Safety issues are what you want them to be. Take a good look at a minitruck. Where is the spare located? In my case, it's directly under the gas tank. The spare actually sticks out a couple of inches past the tailgate. That pretty much makes my gas tank my back bumper. The battery being mounted outside the frame rail probably doesn't help much either. The cab over engine design surely doesn't leave much between you and the front bumper either. In fact, if you look under the dash, you'll find the recepticals for changing out the headlights. Doesn't look like a very safe vehicle now, does it.

    Now, I used to ride a Honda Goldwing. Front and rear bumpers? Those were my front and rear tires. Gas tank location? I SAT on it. Windshield? Plastic, and none too scratch resistant either. I also had no roof, no doors, and no seat belts. The battery was located behind a plastic cover right next to my right leg. Of course, two tires instead of four, mean if I'm knocked off balance during a collision or evasive move, I eat road. That sounds even more lovely, doesn't it?

    Of course, one is "allowed" on the roads, the other, not. The issue regarding minitrucks isn't about safety. It's about money. Too many people in high places don't want minitrucks on the roads, because it means lost sales of their own products for them. It's easier to prevent competition, than it is to compete.
     
  18. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    Well Said!

    We keep beating this dead horse. Everyone on the board would like to drive their trucks on the road, but whining and moaning about it will do no good.
    Go complain to the people that can change it.
     
  19. broshawn777

    broshawn777 New Member

    Some states do allow you to tag and title these once they are modified to be able to use all of the gears. The fact that a consumer modifies one of these AFTER purchase to conform with state laws has nothing to do with how or why they are imported. I believe that if anything stops the flow of these it would more likely be from the disputes generated between people. Nothing generates unwarranted attention like a scandal. It is good to see that the FREE flow of ideas is getting more popular concerning these trucks.
     
  20. ATVtruck.com

    ATVtruck.com New Member

    Street Legal

    Its the oldest question in the biz. It still amazes me that some Joe from somewhere can get it tagged and feels the need to tell the world. BFD - that's big f'n deal. I am in the mini biz 3 years and I still get calls from strangers "hey man I got mine tagged..." People cannot grasp the concept that the feds do not want us driving them on the roads. Ask yourself who benefits from high fuel prices and high fuel cunsumption? You may not believe this but the federal and state governments benefit tremendously from high faul prices and high fuel consumption, as well as the ginormas industries like insurance. Yes insurance claims actually go down when fuel prices go up. Oh yeah not to mention the oil companies. Being able to convince the feds to legalize these trucks would about like going to a walmart board meeting with an idea that would save walmart customers money. Yapin' about getting them street legal is going to severly hurt the importers. Please dealers if the feds come after you keep good records so they can go after the guys putting them on the roads. Remember they will no doubt seize the contraband for evidence. That means if they come to dealer and try to punish him for letting his customers "street legalize them" they will confiscate your street legal truck. And guess how they find you? From your posts on the web. The states do have rights but don't "f" with the big dogs. -------Just my 1 and half cents. Chris
     
  21. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member



    WHOOOO RAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D
     
  22. nateisanas

    nateisanas New Member

    Get a day job if you depend on selling mini trucks...

    What a joke.. to bad this thread was taken over by a bunch of greedy dealers that dont make enough from their already inflated prices. The argument about "safety" stops at the fact that motorcycles, trikes, and geo's are all over the roads... the arguement about "importing" stops at the feds dont give a shit about stupid little trucks zipping arond back roads.. dont you think they have enough to worry about(drugs, fraud, money laundering, illegal aliens, etc.. Please if im being a fool.. humorme with evidence that the government gives a shit about these trucks))no the Hijet, Scrum, Sambar, etc is priority Numero Uno! haha give me a break and go sing it on the mountain.. This is a free country the last time I checked, quit worrying about what people want/choose to do with something they spent way too much money on and worry about your sales... BtW about people admitting to violating the law.. Im putting a 1300cc Hayabusa engine in my sambar and you bet it will do 200+ mph and oh yes you bet ill be doing that 200+mph... Ive ran from the police numerous times this summer on my Motorcycle(Yamaha R1) has no problem loosing them(ill wait for my court summuns in the mail now that they have seen my admittence to guilt on the mini truck forum), it would be interesting to ditch them in a subaru sambar and if.. "IF" they caught me.. the judge would look at the evidence(mini truck) and dismiss the case promptly...

    Slow down thats Dangerous!!
    Let the Chaos begin!!

    No disrespect to anyone, my comments or views expressed are not directed towards any person in particular, tis a forum for arguing opinions and thats all im doing.

    Go ahaed and let the flaming begin...

    ;)*Legalize*;)
     
  23. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member


    Sometimes things happen for are reason, maybe to remove idiots from the gene pool so they can't reproduce.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  24. Wolfman

    Wolfman Member

    And your point? The motorcyle is road legal, and that didn't stop the rider from becoming a stain on the back of the big truck. While I don't hold up any expectations of safety in a minitruck, it IS still safer than a motorcycle, and I'vre ridden a Goldwing cross country.
     
  25. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    My Point??? People that run from the police get what they deserve.
     
  26. nateisanas

    nateisanas New Member

    Stick to the point.

    Nice picture, I could post some real jaw droppers if your interested.. One of my best friends ended up kissing a wall at 75mph on May 16th, hes dead... point is shit happens... Tis funny how the only response I got to my post was bashing on law breaking.. what about the other points raised?(safety and the government).. exactly there is no argument other then fear of futue competition and lost sales.

    You do have a point however.. yes the idiots will crash and wipe themselves out, doesnt mean ill be wiped out and if i do eat the back of a truck then it was ment to be, if not then I must have knew what I was doing. Next time that rocket blows by you at triple digits... think of me.:p

    Back to the point, I think the best way to go about legalizing them is to take a few parts off other vehicles(engine, wheels, seats, steering wheel, bumpers, etc.) probably best to use parts from 3 different vehicles... bring the three titles into the DMV and title it as homeade/kit car.

    BtW - these things go down the road at 90mph like dream they handle just fine, how do I know? I had my buddy pull me behind a car and told him to go as fast as he wants.
     
  27. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    You can make all the ridculous claims you want and tout your manhood by driving above the posted speed limits, which just explains why you will drive you mini truck on the highway.

    The fact still remains, Federal law prohibits the use of these mini truck on the public highways. No need to argu the point any further.
     
  28. nateisanas

    nateisanas New Member

    How do you punish yourself?

    We sure are sticking to this "mini trucks are illegal" campaign.. fact is that everything everyone does usually isnt 100% legal.. do you drive 55 and not a mile higher? If you do hit 56mph how do you punish yourself? Is your house/land abiding by every rule of your county, if its not how do you punish yourself for not following the rules? Have you ever fibbed to get a loan or job? if so how do you punish yourself?

    For someone that is so worried about lawbreaking you must punish yourself in some way or another...

    Im starting to think these things are made out of meth the way you ramble on bout how illegal they are...

    Trying to wipe out the idiots one at a time
     
  29. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    You are obviously someone that just likes to hear himself talk. The law is the law....I abide by it, apparently you don't!
     
  30. Wolfman

    Wolfman Member

    I can agree with that point.
     
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