The Industry Player
I had a thought come to mind while reading through the forums the other day. Now this isn't meant to attack anyone in particular but just an overall observation. Is it me or do must of us Minitruckers act before thinking? Every one of us has been guilty of it at one time or another and there is always a way around it if we'd stop and think before acting. For instance, on my way back from Drop Zone I was pulled over for going 81 in a 55. This could have easily been avoid by paying attention to the posted speed limit rather then turning my head every time I see one in the distance, (I do that so if I get pulled over I can honestly say I didn't know the speed limit… lol). But see that would be boring. So the next obvious solution would be to buy a radar detector. With all of the traveling I do you would think I would have one by now. Nope… to expensive and I have other things to buy with my money. Well it would have saved me from the $175 ticket so that would have been a great solution to the problem. Here are some other examples and some easy solutions;
1) For those of you that have the good ol' "To low" law. For instance, here in Idaho the law states that you can't have anything hanging below the bottom of the rim (while driving). This is easily avoided with low profile tires. Even with body dropped rides you can drive with it an inch or two off the ground and not get busted.
2) The "License plate to low to the ground" law is also a fun one. This gets tricky here in Idaho but once again avoidable. Just about all of these laws apply to moving vehicles but the cops will try and enforce it when stopped, which they CAN NOT DO! So to avoid this you simply air it out or get it to driving height, measure from the ground to your states requirements. Here it would be I believe 14 inches so French that sucker into the bottom of the tailgate and whaaala, LEGAL! As for the front you could do the same or just inform the nice Police officer that at ride height (as demonstrating by lifting if parked) your vehicle meets requirements. Or let them write you the ticket, lift your vehicle, take a picture and present your photo as exhibit one, Vehicle raised to proper state requirements. Then as you drive out of the parking lot drag off… (Just kidding cause then you'd be worrying about #3)
3) Chas knows this one… lol "Driving in an improper manner" or as we like to call it "dragging". Easily avoided, simply don't drag by cops! If they don't see you they can't write you a ticket…haha 		4) Some states it is illegal to have "Window tint" on the side windows. Well if that is you then simply roll your windows down if you see a cop or drive with them down and you should be okay. Haha Here in Idaho we can't have below 30% if the vehicle is a '92 or newer although it is very rarely enforced.
5) And the last one I'll mention today as this is more typing then I can handle is the "Taillights to low" Law. Yeah some of us have to worry about this stupid law so to avoid it don't put your lights in your roll pan! Even some states get on you about putting different ones into the stock location because the vehicle is body dropped so now they are illegal. Well become innovative and do something off the wall like Charles Armstrong did with his Toyota by putting the semi-fours (or whatever they are called) into the cab like the old bugs. Problem solved! Haha
Some states try and say that you cannot customize your ride, but in all facts, you CAN! Fight for what is your right. If you feel you are being harassed by the local enforcement on anything custom with your ride then bring evidence to court and maybe laws will be changed. Back in 94-95 I had many Idaho State laws changed because of this attitude. After being pulled over for my vehicle being to low I went around and found 5 different STOCK vehicles being sold in the state that were either the same height as my ride or lower. Needless to say after showing this evidence to the Judge the law was changed to where you can't have anything hanging below the bottom of the rim. I did the same thing with the bumper law and license plate law. That is an example of what you can do. Find rides being sold on lots that have the same or more drastic then you measurements and bring your facts to court. We will fight for the right to customize one county at a time if need be!
Oh yeah enjoy this issue….
Garrick Arends
Editor
Garrick@StreetSource.com