Our days are done. I got word from my Representitives office that the state is indeed revoking our titles and plates. Today is a sad day for us down here.
Wolfman, I've had no problems at all driving under §663.037 of the Texas Transportation Code. The only downside is daylight only and a 25 mile restriction. Put on an SMV sign and a flag and you're good to go.
This is my problem. I drive mine all over the place, and have had it clear out to the metromess on numerous occasions. When I initially purchased this truck, it was with the intention of completely replacing the F150, and I bought mine only after I knew I would be able to title and register the truck. It was only a string of random events, that kept me from getting that truck sold back then. Since it now can no longer completely replace that truck, it becomes just another vehicle crowding the driveway, that has too limited of a use to justify the expense of insurance and fuel. My next step will be to get with Ford, and see if the F150 can be converted to accept E85. If not, I'll still sell the F150 and start the search for a flex fuel Ranger. It is my intention to be down to having only two vehicles. Between four vehicles, and a 37 foot motorhome, my place looks like a used car lot with vehicles scattered all over the place.
Texas likes to receive their tax money. They crack down pretty hard on that kind of thing around here - especially in the small towns, where they recognize out of place vehicles.
So does Ohio... You were lucky you didn't get stopped by an Ohio State Trooper after you were required to establish residency, unless you were there as a college student......You would have been very unhappy with the tickets and back taxes, after they notified the Dept of Taxation, they would have collected from you...
Here's a thought Wolfman. I wonder who sponsored the legislation for §663.037 to make Gators and Mules legal? Maybe we could go to them to expand the code or reduce the restrictions. If they had the votes the first time, it's likely to happen again. The Oklahoma law has to help our cause. I'd be happy if they did away with the daylight restriction and radius. That's not asking for much. I'm afraid this is all going to boil down to money. Right now there is no big company greasing the wheels trying to get this passed. If there is nothing in it for the politicians there is no way it will ever get done.
The response I got from Phil King's office is that the state seems to think that their hands are tied in regards to these trucks. At this point, I simply must get after bigger and more critical issues, one of which my end up with me leaving the state of TX. Unfortunately, I'm simply not in a position to push this issue any further. I kinda wish that I would have been able to get moved out of the state before now. CO stated that they would title and already titled mini. :frustration:
JASON, have you tried to contact any of you state government? I bet if you did, they would listen... Steve. I could help.
I don't understand why they would consider 663.037 any way. The definition doesn't fit the vehicle. Seems to me that another place within the code needs to be found.
This state continues to make me scratch my head. I was expecting to receive a notice to revoke my title at plate renewal time. I got home from running errands today to find a renewal notice for my minitruck. Go figure. It is my intention to renew it. They are gonna have a VERY difficult time coming "knocking" on my door if you will, after not only giving me the damn legal title and plates in the first place, but then RENEWING them AFTER telling me that they weren't going to. This should also buy me the time needed to get my schooling done, so I can get the job I want to relocate to CO, where I've already been told that they will transfer title to my truck to a CO title when I pass emissions, since I already have a legal TX title.
Quick - renew it ASAP before they figure it out! Who cares if it's a month early! I think I'd do it in person - they tend to operate like robots with renewals. "show me your proof of insurance, give me your check, here's your sticker, see you next year." I guess you told the guy I referred to you yesterday that your truck was no longer for sale?
I literally spoke to the guy you referred to me while I was on my way home from running errands. I found out about the renewal right afterwards. I do need to give them a call back and let them know.
By all means renew that badboy, but DON'T go to the Bridgeport office. They are the ones that refused to register mine. They are definitely on the lookout for mini trucks! Maybe you would have a better chance at the Boyd office. We should flood Rep. Phil King or Sen. Craig Estes with letters asking for legislation like OK, AZ, and LA. If we get a large enough letter campaign going hopefully Texas will pass legislation so the rest of us can get them registered.
The Bridgeport office is the one that I registered mine through. They are simply following orders from the state. That said, I have the renewal in hand, so all they can do is take the check, and give me the sticker. I may go ahead and do this as soon as I'm done with my morning coffee.
Did you get it done, Wolfman? RPM - did you happen to get pulled over recently? I had a customer in today that said there was a guy in Chico that got stopped recently. I figured it was you. Gotta like small towns/counties.
you might want to take AZ off that list, it's not LEGAL legal but sometimes they will, there are a couple running around, i'm on 90 temp tags for now and fighting up-hill to get plates.
Here is a letter to Copy & paste in Emails you can send your State Sen/Reps. Find your State Transportation Senate and House Chairman and start with them 1st! Email EVERYONE! Have your Friends Email them! Call them! Fax them! Keep up the issue! Invite them to meet with them or travel to meet with them to see 1st hand what you’re talking about. Subject: Please help with our issue! Hello, In our current gas and environment crises, I seek the use of a very low impact vehicle I own, but cannot use given current laws. In (CITY & STATE) we would enjoy use of Kei Class Mini Truck vehicle Mfg in Japan, imported used into the US that achieves excellent, alternative means of transportation at 50MPG, equipped with Air Conditioner and Heater. Many people stated the ability to enjoy travel on roadways in these types of vehicles. They have everything one would need to drive legally on the road and very versatile in a grocery getter, construction, farming/ranching, parts truck ect What can I/we do bring attention to this subject to inspire laws that would allow these vehicles for on-road travel? I thought that the economy & versatility of these vehicles could turn out to be a good business in sales and offer people an economic alternative to transportation. People here shared the same views. Vehicle Specs: a. Economic @ 50mpg 3cyl 660cc motor b. 5spd Trans c. Environmentally smog equipped d. AC/Heat e. 70+ mph f. Dual air bags g. DOT Safety glass h. 4x4 i. Can fit in back of full size truck. Can fit a full size ATV in back of mini truck j..Inexpensive @ $6000.00 retail k. Passenger cab is 10.5 feet long and 4.5 feet. Weight 1000lbs. Business potential: a.. City work truck/ City event truck b.. Detail truck c.. Parts or pesticide truck d.. Search/rescue fire PD patrol truck e.. Mail truck f.. Grocery getter g.. Construction truck for tight access US Bills drafted in: Missouri HB1010 Sponsor, WELLS, MUNZLINGER AND HOBBS (Co-sponsors). Arizona SB1464 Sponsor, Ron Gould, Jack Harper (Co-sponsors). Would you consider sponsoring a similar bill and help us in the economically difficult times we are facing? Sincerely, Name Address Phone Fax Email Here are the Tx State members of congress. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Members/Members.aspx?Chamber=H http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Members/Members.aspx?Chamber=S These guys are the TRANSPORTATION committee members in TX. I WOULD START WITH THESE GUYS 1st!!!!!!! Mike Krusee Room CAP 1N.9 P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768 (512) 463-0670 (512) 463-1469 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=52&rep=mike.krusee Larry Phillips 421 North Crockett Sherman, TX 75090 (903) 891-7297 (903) 870-0066 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=62&rep=larry.phillips Linda Harper-Brown 125 E. John Carpenter Fwy, Ste 250 Irving , TX 75062 (972) 401-8825 (972) 401-0798 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=105&rep=linda.harper-Brown Joe Deshotel One Plaza Square, Suite 203 Port Arthur, TX 77642 (409) 724-0788 (409) 724-0750 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=22&rep=joe.deshotel Pat Haggerty 5764 N. Mesa St. El Paso, TX 79912 (915) 532-1391 (915) 577-9158 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=78&rep=pat.haggerty Patricia Harless 6605 Cypresswood Drive, #240 Spring, Texas 77379 (281) 376-4114 (281) 826-0101 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=126&rep=patricia.harless Fred Hill 770 N. Coit Rd., Ste 2485 Richardson, TX 75080 (972) 234-8980 (972) 480-8934 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=112&rep=fred.hill Nathan Macias 160 Creekside Park, Suite 206 Spring Branch, TX 78070 (830) 438-0325 (830) 438-0326 Fax http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=73&rep=nathan.macias Jim Murphy 2500 CityWest Blvd. Ste. 150 Houston, TX 77042 http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=133&rep=jim.murphy Senator John J. Carona 8080 N. Central Expy. Suite 1440, LB 44 Dallas, TX 75206 (214) 378-5751 FAX: (214) 378-5739 http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist16/dist16.htm#form Senator Kirk Watson P.O. Box 12068 Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711 (512) 463-0114 (512) 463-5949 (Fax) http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist14/dist14.htm#form Senator Kim Brimer 1600 W. 7th St., Suite 650 Ft. Worth, Texas 76102 (817) 332-8269 Fax: (817) 332-8761 http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist10/dist10.htm#form Senator Rodney Ellis 440 Louisiana, Suite 575 Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 236-0306 (713) 236-0604 (fax) http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist13/dist13.htm#Form Senator Robert Nichols 329 Neches Street Jacksonville, Texas 75766 (903) 589-3003 (903) 589-0203 fax http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist3/dist3.htm#form Senator Florence Shapiro 5000 Legacy Dr., Ste. 494 Plano, Texas 75024 Phone (972) 403-3404 Fax (972) 403-3405 http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist8/dist8.htm#Form Senator Eliot Shapleigh 800 Wyoming, Suite A El Paso, Texas 79902 (915) 544-1990 (tel) (915) 544-1998 (fax) http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist29/dist29.htm#form Senator Jeff Wentworth 925 North Frost Center, 1250 N.E. Loop 410 San Antonio, Texas 78209 (210) 826-7800 (210) 826-0571 FAX http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist25/dist25.htm#form Senator Tommy Williams 2825 IH-10 East - Suite 100 Beaumont, TX 77702 (409) 896-2350 (409) 896-2454 fax http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist4/dist4.htm#form Nothing will happen UNLESS you get through to you CONGRESS!!!! CALL THERE OFFICES AND LEAVE MESSAGES ABOUT YOUR ISSUES! Fax them! Call them! Email Them! Meet with them! mail them! Again & Again! get your friends and Family to help! Contact ATV organizations or clubs in your state to have there members call & Email! Good Luck! Steve
I am pissed, and very much with myself on top of it all. I literally had the 2009 sticker in hand, and was chatting with another customer in the office. It was as I was leaving, that the clerk realized what she had renewed after picking up on a fragment of the conversation with myself and the customer, and revoked it. This resulted in a bit of a pissing match that had me going over the heads of several people trying to keep my renewal. I lost, and the bitch (sorry, I know that we are family friendly but this person was actually taking PLEASURE in what she was doing to me) in Arlington literally sent a notice to Austin to void the title. :frustration: People wonder why I have no faith in government. :frustration: I should have acted pissed off, and kept my trap shut. LIve and learn. So, if there is anyone in OK wanting an already street configured mini with crusie control and a new clutch for use when their rules go into effect, I have one that has officially become a yard ornament.
Yep, I did last Tuesday. The trooper was trying to tell me it was'nt safe to drive because it has inadequate brakes. He was very upset when I pointed out it passed state safety inspection. I think he just wanted to argue, but I would'nt play along. I was totally Mr. Nice Guy. I learned that a long time ago driving 18 wheelers. You can't win with a cop so you just kill them with kindness. They hate it. Anyway I have to see the JP but I think I can still get by with using §663.037. I talked with a friend of mine who is a pretty sharp lawyer and he said he really liked the defense. If I lose at JP court, I'll appeal it up to County. He says I stand a very good chance there. The fact that I use it to deliver groceries to little old ladies does'nt hurt. We'll see. Wolfman, I sure hate to hear what happened to you but I was afraid it was going to. I got bad vibes from them when I tried to get a title. I must have delt with the same "lady" because she definitely enjoyed turning me away last month. What's funny about all this is the local and county cops really don't give a dang. I have driven past them dozens of times and even had a deputy flag me down to ask where he could get one. But the DPS is a completely different story.
I would like to get $4500 for it. It has 89k kilometers, cruise control, "new" tires (I installed a set of take offs with nearly new tread depth, knobby tread no less thanx to Jason), as well as a new clutch. I also have an extra air filter and two more stock size tires with good tread. Mine has the pushbutton 4x4 and 5 speed - No low range. I also have a vacuum reservoir that I bought to install on the vacuum line for the cruise, to help it out on hills, as I can step on the gas on hills that the cruise is losing speed on and accelerate, but never got around to installing it. The emissions fault light is lit, and has been ever since two of the plug wires came loose right after I replaced the plugs. It doesn't mess with the operability of the truck, but if you have emissions tests where you live, it'll need to be addressed. At this point, I don't know why it's lit. I've been running Mobil 1 synthetic ever since I bought it. Oh yeah, it has a full tank of gas, as it's only been driven three miles since filling it.
Inadequate brakes? Geez. I carried 1047 pounds of travertine tile 50 miles to my home from the DFW metromess in mine. The brakes didn't even notice the load. Interestingly enough, the suspension barely budged either from the weight. Damn tough little trucks. Hell, I'll testify on your behalf, if you can get the court date on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
