I've got the fever bad for a new Rhino or RZR but started thinking about these little mini trucks that could be had for half the price. All I pretty much would do is hunt, trail ride and take it camping. One major plus for the truck is I could go in old man style with the a/c or heat cranking all the while staying dry. Anybody have any experience with'em and how hard is it to get parts?

 

I have a Rhino that I use everyday on the farm but I am getting ready to sell it and get a mini also. I have been looking at them for a while now. I have to plow my 2.5 mile driveway/road n the winter and the rhino usually gets that job done. Unless it really snows then i bust out the backhoe. But even though i have a soft cab on the rhino for winter it is cold as all get out. I can't wait to get a mini and plow in nothing but a T- shirt...

Parts aren't much of a probelm from what I understand. Especially if you get a Suzuki or Mitsubishi.
CHeck out this website. All the guys over there are great and will be glad toanswer any question you have. www.minitrucktalk.com

 

your talking about the chinese trucks? like Tiger trucks?

 

Like these

http://arklatexminitrucks.com/

 

No they are not chinese, they are Japanese and made by manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, Toyota. they are very well made..

 

I have been wanting one of those too. Could be really handy.

 

Holy crap is it road legal..???

 

I don't think so. You have to treat them as an ATV but I'm sure if you live in a small town like me you can drive it anywhere without any worries.

 

http://www.tigertruck.com/4x4/index.html

a little bigger in the cab, but hey, they are made in america.

 

The Japanese ones are not road legal, has something to do with DOT regs and how it does not conform. Probably crash tests and a host of other things.

My father in law has one that he has had since I met my wife back in 1991, I believe he still has it but I have not been across the pond in many years to see him so not for sure. They are very popular in Japan. Wish I had one as a secondary truck when I'm doing work where I don't need my welding rig, if they were able to be put on the road. Seen a bunch of them on larger jobsites, seems like Ivey Mechanical had a couple on the big hospital job last year.

 

Tagging them and driving on the road is a touchy subject. Some states allow them some don't. I do know most are sold without a title. ( just a bill of sale) But, there is one place in Indiana that titles ALL their minis and are sold with the title. This would most likely be a HUGE help when trying to tag one.

 

There's a Tiger trucks dealer here in Arlington, I drive by it all the time. They have one out front right now, I haven't gotten a chance to look at it up close but from the road it looks pretty cool.

 

Yep, surprisingly they offer very little protection in a frontal impact. I don't think that should prevent us from being allowed to drive them on the street, it's no less safe than a motorcycle. But that's a subject for the political forum...

Other than not passing crash tests there's no reason they can't be DOT approved. They don't have emission certification to be imported as road vehicles, but I'm sure they could pass or be made to pass easily - but there's no point since they are not safe enough for our nanny to let us drive them.

 

equipment in transit plates anyone ? we use em on everything from backhoies to bobcats......... possible option if ya can make it look like a work rig.

 

I have one for hauling firewood out of the woods . Works great !! The dump bed is very handy as well . Mine is a Dihatsu .