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Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion, and how to do it.

Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Do you guys really feel flattowing is a safe option? it would go behind the 86 blazer /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ears.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Well, I dont see anything unsafe about flat towing. I did however scare myself last year when I towed my K5 with the wifes '01 Ram 1500 for a three hour trip. Wasnt bad until it started freezing rain/ snowing! What I did is built a towbar out of my trailer tongue. Its a military 3/4 ton trailer that had a hydraulic surge brake on it. I teed a three way selector valve in so I could run the rear disc brakes with the hyd. from the surge unit on the towbar, or I can switch it and let the master cylinder supply the rear discs. It works really good.
The only bad thing about flat towing is if you break bad enough, you cant do it... you have to be able to roll and steer.
My question is tho is what are the laws like regarding the towed vehicle? I mean like fender widths, tires sticking out, etc.

Mike
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

My question is tho is what are the laws like regarding the towed vehicle? I mean like fender widths, tires sticking out, etc.

I know with flat towing the same laws apply to fender coverage or mudflaps as they do with a driven vehicle.

they really cant site you for any other violations such as a horn or windshield wipers since its not actually being driven.
when I flat tow my truggy the look I get from people heading down the freeway is quite funny but I havent passed a police officer yet so I should build something to cover my tires to make it a little more leagal. /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif

one more thing the vehicle being towed does have to be licenced but im not sure about insurance since your tow vehicle would have it ? /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

those are some good questions there /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

the fact that if your truggy your towing can have its tires throw debrie just like a car can makes me think you should have some prevision while you are towing it. I may even look into puting a reciver hitch on the rear of mine and have a slide in bumper/cargo holder or rack to absorb a rear impact when towing the buggy. I am just concerned with flat towing a buggy when the weight will be real close to the blazer.

I would hate to sell the 86 blazer to get a truck but it looks like that is my route I am going /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

As for inshurance..I would really lookinto making shure your tow vehicle's policy will cover what your are towing..

ie..loss of trailer or vehicle while towing /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

I had my old crew cab almoast compltly come off the tow dolly while avoiding a person pulling a u-turn while I had an arrow /forums/images/graemlins/screwy.gif One of the tire straps came off then the other. I limped into a gas station then had to take it off the dolly manually then get it back onto it by backig the tow dolly into it /forums/images/graemlins/screwy.gif

The only reason I feel I survived was because the drivetrain was out of the truck, otherwise the bronco would have been hard to control and I would not have been able to do it. I learned just how nice a flatbed trailer and a winch would be.


Just or towing dreams a neighbor of ours just picked up a 81 mack flatbed with a wood bed for 4 grand, he want to build some ramps and add a winch to tow his show car /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

would be nice for a trail rig but you need a place to keep it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

In CA you can flat tow a OHV only licensed vehicle.
My glass buggy (~1700 lbs) has a plate & I've probably towed it 5000 miles or more. Did most of it with a 2700 lbs '67 Ranchero and that was not quite enough when panic stop time came.

What I learned is that you want both pivots of the tow bar to be level when on flat ground. You might get away with the rear pivot being slightly higher than the ball, but the other way around lifts the rear end of the tow rig when under heavy braking. That isn't a pleasant feeling.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Why dont you go down/over to Campbell Ent. and see how they get there rigs registered?(if at all) They build some nice stuff and I think I have seen a few with plates.... And I dont think I have seen one with a windsheild or wipers....
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

they simply slap ona pre 64 arizona vin,

done it a bunch of times with very few issues or trouble, the problem is I like to drive my trucks alot even a dd, they sid they dont do alot of driving with their rigs /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Mos of theirs resemble a jeep to..hood, fenders ect, I like their work and wish he could build me my chassis but the weight is not worth it "6 months plus" /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Shawn,

Let me make a suggestion, before you hit the post button, re-read you post and check it for spelling, it may just make more sense for us reading your post. Your spelling is a little rough. If that does not work, try typing the post in Word then cut and paste the post.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Sorry Rob "and others.."


I am on here alot during odd hours and even during the day. However the way I stay up all nite causes my spelling to be on the ruff side,

It needs work though so I will try /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

thank you for the positive note rather than a negitive one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Judging by the work I have seen them do in the mags AND in person, I would say that the wait is worth it! They build awesome chassis'!! If I had the cabbage, I would put my order in for one!
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Seeing as how I already tore apart the 75 the wait would make me loose interest I think, I want to wheel, and not in two years /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif


edit.. two years... as in by the time I get the chassis "6 months" plus spend time doing the rest to get it going and finished.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

The last time I was at Campbell's place, I talked with him about building me a 4 seat, with nothing too fancy, just the frame and 1/4 elliptic for front and rear, and prepping everything up for my stock gear that's on my blazer.

I asked Shannon directly how much and how long.

He told me worst case it would be about 3 weeks, best case about a week, as long as I had payment before they started.

I don't know where you get the 2-year thing?? The can build a basic buggy in about a week if they really want to, the more you add the longer it takes. It's all about the $$ when it comes to fabrication. I have never heard anyone complain on how long it takes Shannon to build a buggy. Are you sure you talked with Shannon, at Campbell, you may have them mixed up with someone else. Even Randy Ellis has a very short turn around time, these guys are about turning around a project, I find it odd that you have an impression that it takes a couple of years to have a buggy build from Campbell.

Now if it about the $$ that’s another story, Campbell wont do anything without the $$ up front, or at least a Credit Card Authorization first and they are not cheap.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

I talked with him directly and in person at their shop at Gilbert rd and Warner, with a cash deposit in my pocket. I have my facts strait, please don’t tell me otherwise based on what you think I mean or how you interpret what I say or because you feel like proving me wrong. Shannon directly said he is about 6 months out to accept a just building a tube frame w/ links and coils.

The 2 year comment is how long before I drove it if I had him make my frame then I finished it. Ya it only takes him a week to three to do it, but its 6 months before he starts.

He was more interested in convincing me to build it and suggested I look into going that route, really cool guy but I don’t want to wait 6 months to have a tube chassis made. It is only a week or two of work for them; he just has others in front.

Basically if I wanted him to do the whole deal and buy a turn key he was more than happy to do the job, just a tube chassis and links was a different story.

If I wanted to wait 6 months for a tube chassis I would build it my self, but I don’t have the experience to build a chassis that will hold up to my right foot in the washes or sand.. I also don’t feel like building a chassis just to have to build another one because it failed from my lack of know-how.


I am more than happy to lay down the money for a quality job from them, but you pay for major names ie..randy ellis. I am getting a tube chassis for 1/2 his cost by a great fab shop who has a chassis ready to go already, I just need to pick her up, big names have big prices and longer waiting times.


Having the 75 frame in the garage is holding this up.. /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif



Edited for your reading and viewing pleasure. For those who feel it is needed.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

[ QUOTE ]
Local police are very nice to me, it is Highway patrol that kills me, thay bust out the measuring tape, check noise levels, chack the hight of head lights, fender laws, mud flaps, bla bla bla, I am used to it,

[/ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ]
wish me luck, I want to do something every time Ia get pulled over..maby write the offence and date on the side with an ink pen /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Why are you getting pulled over so often??? You don't do regular maintenance, like checking tail lights, headlights and the like??? Look dude, after reading through this, get your act together /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif I would HATE to see the laws get changed in AZ because of stupid stunts, trying to get around existing laws, being a smart a$$ to DPS, etc etc. YOU can make life miserable for the rest of us who try our damndest to keep things on the up and up.

/Rant off

For some reason this post of yours really rubbed me raw.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

[ QUOTE ]
alot of events require tages and a plate, not to mention some ask for insurance proof /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

I found out progressive wiil inshure sand rails, also they count any mecanical tickits against your policy. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]You better be insured if you drive on the street. /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

I have not been touched by the police. I have cut fenders no mudflaps, no doors/mirrors for the last 3 months. I also don't roast my tires on the street, I don't rev my motor, and I try not to be a target. I am with Fred, it would suck to have AZ turn into CA cause some people want to push the limits of our some-what limitless vehicle laws.

Bottom line, street legal is different than street friendly. If you want to go to the bare minimums be ready to be checked regularly. At some point it will be easier to comform to a trailer (Rob & Fred) or the general look of a street friendly vehicle (myself & harley).

No, flat towning a 6000 lb rig with a 5000 lb rig is a bad idea. 4 1/2 ton brakes for 11000 lb of vehicle (with 8 tires on the ground) will just make for a downhill disaster.

just my .02
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

I got pulled over for the usual..

Mud flaps, lights not turned on, driving to slow, driving to fast "only once for speeding though. No ticket too"

Mud flaps were the biggest offence, but I get pulled over for looking the wrong way when out by Apache Junction. I do replace things when they brake and after a while my driving became very nice.. Most of the time I was pulled over it was just reminders or polite request to put mud flaps on. The buggy will be fully legal and all in every way, even removable mud flaps.


I have no interest in causing problems, and I don’t drive stupid as all hell every where I go. In town I see the same cops all the time so driving nice really helps when I get pulled over.

Many of them liked the 75 and have no problem with it as long as it is legal and I drive like a sane person. Most of my vehicle abuse is off road. In the washes or in the sand, not on the trail like some think.

The whole point of this post was to make the buggy legal and not cause me trouble when I want to drive it around the corner or to the burger joint up the street. I don’t want any negative attention just like you guys don’t want it too. I just want to do what ever I can to make that happen.



Just to clarify /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif


grammer edited for you reading pleasure, for those that feel it is needed /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
alot of events require tages and a plate, not to mention some ask for insurance proof /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

I found out progressive wiil inshure sand rails, also they count any mecanical tickits against your policy. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]You better be insured if you drive on the street. /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I do plan to have insure it, my point was that in order to go to certin events I need to be legal, so that is the whole purpose of this post..to make that happen.
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with

Russ,

I am resonding to this post, but as to not create a huge dialog in your fourm, I though I would link it to the AZ Fourm, as my resonse may get off topic somewhat.

Rob My Response To Your Post
 
Re: Buggy..keeping it street legal discussion !and chassis to do it with *DELETED*

Post deleted by supersize75k5
 
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