Archive for Monday, September 8, 2008
As fuel prices rise, mini-trucks prove popular
Welder John McManigal, Holton, purchased a used Suzuki mini-truck that holds his welding rig and equipment. McManigal says he's saving money on gas with his new truck and he hopes local governments will make them legal for driving on highways. The small, gas-efficient trucks from Japan are catching on in the U.S. and becoming popular replacements for regular trucks among farmers and people needing multi-functional vehicles.
September 8, 2008
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Scott Bartlett, owner of Scott's Shop Inc., Holton, has sold several used Japanese mini-trucks to customers and has several more on his lot. The fuel-efficient utility vehicles are catching on in the U.S. and becoming popular replacements for regular trucks among farmers and people needing multi-functional vehicles for less money.
HOLTON — John Grau used to drive a big, gas-guzzling pickup truck while checking cattle and fences on his rural Jackson County farm.
Not anymore. Last spring he bought a Japanese-made mini-truck for that purpose. He said he probably saves at least $100 a week in gas money.
"It didn't bother my pride any to get into a little pickup truck to save money," Grau said.
It's been three years since Scott Bartlett began selling the mini-trucks at his auto shop in Holton. The flat-nosed used trucks imported from Japan are only 10 1/2 feet long by 4 1/2 feet wide. The steering wheel is on the right side of the cab.
"When I first got them people were all over the place looking at them," Bartlett said. "They'd never seen anything like them."
The trucks have grown in popularity, especially during the past year as gasoline prices neared the $4 mark in Kansas, Bartlett said. That's because most of the vehicles get 30 to 50 miles per gallon or even higher, depending on various factors, Bartlett and others said. Farmers and construction companies have been his main customers, Bartlett said.
Three weeks ago, Roger Johnson picked up a mini-truck in Montana. He bought it to save fuel while driving on his Douglas County farms.
"The (old) pickup got 15 mpg," said Johnson, who also owns R.D. Johnson Excavating Co., 1705 N. 1399 Road.
John McManigal bought his 1997 Suzuki mini-truck from Bartlett last December. A Holton welder, McManigal has his equipment on the back of the truck so he can drive to work sites.
"I'm surprised how versatile it is," McManigal said of his truck. You can load it down with equipment and it can get into such tight places. I can go right up to a 90-degree corner and turn easily."
The trucks can travel at top speeds of 55 mph and some even 60, Bartlett said. They can have radios, air conditioners and four-wheel drive. The vehicles generally sell for between $3,000 and $13,000, depending on their age and condition.
Restricted use only
The trucks have been available for years, but they were always considered off-road vehicles. In recent years as the safety conditions of the trucks have improved and their popularity has increased, more states are passing laws allowing restricted use on some roadways.
Kansas law described the vehicles as "micro utility" trucks. The law doesn't allow them to be driven on state or federal highways or interstates. They are not allowed on city streets unless a city approves its own ordinance allowing them.
Lawrence doesn't have an ordinance making that allowance.
The trucks can be driven on rural county roads in Kansas.
The city of Holton allows the trucks on its streets. A truck owner must have it titled through the county, proof of liability insurance and proof of assessment through the county appraiser's office. There also is a $75 annual fee.
Kansas requires the trucks to be titled as "nonhighway" because it doesn't consider them manufactured for street use. A truck being sold must be titled in the name of the person selling it as a micro utility truck.
'Buy with confidence'
In Kansas, individuals used to be able to get the trucks from Japan and then sell them from their front yards. Recent changes in state law now require a seller to be a licensed dealer. That allows for state sales tax to be collected, verification of vehicle identification numbers, for titles to be in English instead of Japanese and for qualified mechanics to see that they are in good condition, noted state Sen. Dennis Wilson, R-Overland Park, one of the legislators who pushed for changes.
"A consumer can come in and buy with confidence," said Wilson, owner of a car dealership in Paola who plans to be selling the mini-trucks soon. "You buy out of a front yard and you had nothing to fall back on."
It is unclear how many dealers sell the mini-trucks in Kansas. Because of federal import laws, most of the mini-trucks brought in are used vehicles. Used car dealers aren't asked what models and makes they sell, said Mike McLin, bureau manager of titles and registration and dealer licensing.
McLin said he knew of three dealerships: in New Strawn, Dodge City and Bartlett's in Holton. A Topeka dealer also was planning to sell them, he said.
A check with some auto dealers in Lawrence found that none was selling the trucks.
Wilson, Bartlett and others think the small trucks will continue to grow in popularity. Tulsa, Okla., has a new law that will make them street legal in November.
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8 September 2008
at 9:20 p.m.
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onrywmn (Anonymous) says…
Hey Roger,How much fuel did you waste going to Montana to buy the mini-truck????
8 September 2008
at 9:31 p.m.
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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…
Lawrence doesn't have an ordinance making that allowance.They should.
8 September 2008
at 10:21 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
In the early 1960s, Studebaker built this prototype pickup truck which had it been built might have changed things but the American public would not have accepted it at the time, just as it rejected the other economy cars of the period.Notice the flat panel design which significantly lowered die making costs.The prototype used a Studebaker 6 gas engine but was intended to use a Diesel when in production.A real shame that it was not built.http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1963-studebaker-westinghouse-pickup-truck-concept-3.jpg.jpg
9 September 2008
at 8:36 a.m.
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thunderbrick (Anonymous) says…
Hmmm. I don't see any conflict of interest in that piece of legislation, senator Wilson. NOT!!!
9 September 2008
at 10:18 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
“The steering wheel is on the right side of the cab..”Nice work, as in the rest of the world this setup is referred to as “right-hand drive” and is a very, very unsafe configuration to drive in a country inwhich all of the vehicles have their wteering wheels on the left side of the car; otherwise known as “left-hand” drive.(Voce Don La Fontaine)In a world of left-hand drive, attempts to make right-hand turns or to pass on a highway can be fatal as the driver can't see oncoming traffic worth a hoot!We should not sacrifice safety for fuel economy.
9 September 2008
at 10:37 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
By the way these vehicles do not meet US EPA pollution requirements or US crash safety regulations but they are Japanese, so that makes them OK, I suppose.Score another for the Greenies!
9 September 2008
at 10:49 a.m.
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sjschlag (Anonymous) says…
I want one of these. Where can I purchase one?
9 September 2008
at 11:05 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
From the one of the mini truck sales websites:”The mini trucks do not meet the crash test safety or emissions requirements for operation on public roads or any other in the united states, but make the perfect off-road Hunting, Agriculture or Recreational vehicle .Off Road Use Only!Although these vehicles appear road worthy they are not! These minitrucks are for off road use only. Due to the fact that these trucks probably would not pass roll over or side impact tests and given their limited speed they have not been approved by the dot , nhtsa or the EPA for use on public highways. “http://dolphinintlusa.com/General_Information.htmlRepeat:”Although these vehicles appear road worthy they are not! ”
9 September 2008
at 11:31 a.m.
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thebigspoon (Anonymous) says…
How much are these ? I think someone could buy a lot of gas for what one of these would sell for.
9 September 2008
at 11:35 a.m.
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KUweatherman (Curtis Lange) says…
sjschlag, there is a blue one for sale in Leavenworth on County Rd 10 near the intersection of Bauserman Rd and Eisenhower Rd if you are serious.
9 September 2008
at 12:22 p.m.
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concernedeudoravoter (Anonymous) says…
There is also a dealer selling them at the State Fair in Hutchinson. The state fair runs through this Sunday.