When pulling people on snow behind a truck make sure you keep the rope good and long, no heavy sled, people can easily bail off, no high speeds, and no kids. When I was in college and we talked of doing this in the upcoming snow storm. I was thinking of making a sled out of wood pallets from work and pulling my buddies around the giant Clemson parking lots in my FJ40. A friend shared the terrible story of a neighber pulling his kids on a heavy "sled" with seats on it made of 2X" lumber that was tied to the bumper. Truck made a stop on a downhill while the heavy slead kept on going with kids seated and ran up under the back of the truck seriously injuring at least one child. We changed plans to just sledding the hills with trays from the cafeteria. .............What you're doing looks fun and safe enough, don't do what we almost did.
Builds The "Red Rocket" Troopy (11 Viewers)
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When pulling people on snow behind a truck make sure you keep the rope good and long, no heavy sled, people can easily bail off, no high speeds, and no kids. When I was in college and we talked of doing this in the upcoming snow storm. I was thinking of making a sled out of wood pallets from work and pulling my buddies around the giant Clemson parking lots in my FJ40. A friend shared the terrible story of a neighber pulling his kids on a heavy "sled" with seats on it made of 2X" lumber that was tied to the bumper. Truck made a stop on a downhill while the heavy slead kept on going with kids seated and ran up under the back of the truck seriously injuring at least one child. We changed plans to just sledding the hills with trays from the cafeteria. .............What you're doing looks fun and safe enough, don't do what we almost did.
There is little doubt that you get more “enjoyment” out of your Cruiser than anyone I know. 
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- #523
I'd only trust 2 of the other people in the vehicle at the time to drive it, the 2 of my other buddies who drove it across America this past summer. At the time I think they were being sat on by a couple other people haha
Thank you for the concern, we have thought about this in the past when "sand tubing" behind the troopy, thus we had it set up basically exactly how you described. Kids my age are young and dumb, which can often end in tragedy. I'm usually the one to make sure the stuff that is happening is "reasonably" safe to an extent.
100% agree, the troopy has somewhat of a community around it up here and back in Wilmington. I run into people quite a lot that tell me that I gave them a ride a couple of months ago or they have ridden in my car before, when I have no clue who they are and swear I've never seen them before. I make money on weekends just hauling loads of drunk kids to and from parties, this war machine meant to carry troops just so happens to be pretty good at hauling college kids.There is little doubt that you get more “enjoyment” out of your Cruiser than anyone I know.
Haha this is really cool and fun way to make some money as a student
But question, I'm wondering what is the legality / insurance status of having a ton of people in a car in the US? Is there a limit?
Because in Europe basically the absolute limit is 9, a personal vehicle can't have more than 9 registered seats and/or 9 passengers. Even imported antique vehicles can't bypass this rule (while they generally can for other regulations). Starting with 10 seats/passengers a vehicle must be registered as a public transport vehicle and you need the adequate license to drive it.
Pura Vida
What an absolute noob
A 15 year old with a permit can legally drive this as long as there is a parent in the passenger seat (as long as it isn’t for commercial use)Haha this is really cool and fun way to make some money as a student
But question, I'm wondering what is the legality / insurance status of having a ton of people in a car in the US? Is there a limit?
Because in Europe basically the absolute limit is 9, a personal vehicle can't have more than 9 registered seats and/or 9 passengers. Even imported antique vehicles can't bypass this rule (while they generally can for other regulations). Starting with 10 seats/passengers a vehicle must be registered as a public transport vehicle and you need the adequate license to drive it.
That probably answers the question lol. It’s wild
I respectfully disagree
Pura Vida
What an absolute noob
Some states have exceptions for motorhomes
Size of vehicle isn't so important as number of passengers (depending on the type of vehicle). I don't know how it varies State by State, but in Montana anything over 15 passengers requires a Class C CDL. Anything over 26,000lbs GVW requires a CDL also, unless it is an RV.
I really miss both first gen 4runners. I feel like they almost have as much a cult following as the land cruisers. They are built pretty tuff too. The best one out of the three I had was the earlier solid axle 1985 model. But a 1jz would have been the ticket. I always wanted to 3rz swap mine too. I sold the rougher one and Unfortutly a hurricane flooded the 85 so bad that it just rusted to pieces in a couple years. Interestingly it started right up after having hurricane water over the hood and steering wheel. I eventually replaced the starter though. I feel the KZj78 I have is pretty comparable to the 85 4runner. (except for the diesel part).
I was just up in Boone a couple of months ago. I miss being close to the mountains. I need to get out that way more. Were you ever in Avon NC (outer banks) in late summer (August/September) I saw a cruiser just like yours when I was hanging out with my buddy Rich who makes surfboards up there.
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- #530
Really have no clue, I rarely ever have more than 8 people in the troopy because it is just extremely uncomfortable with everyone being crammed in there, this was just a mile drive from a dorm to some sort of nightclub and no one wanted to walk due to it being 8 degrees outside haha. Drove no faster than 25mph dropped them off and went back to park. Not saying that makes it any less illegal, just pointing out this isn't a regular occurrence to have 17 people in the troopy. I'm not a partier in the slightest so this is a great way for me to make some money, capitalizing off parties.Haha this is really cool and fun way to make some money as a student
But question, I'm wondering what is the legality / insurance status of having a ton of people in a car in the US? Is there a limit?
Because in Europe basically the absolute limit is 9, a personal vehicle can't have more than 9 registered seats and/or 9 passengers. Even imported antique vehicles can't bypass this rule (while they generally can for other regulations). Starting with 10 seats/passengers a vehicle must be registered as a public transport vehicle and you need the adequate license to drive it.
Couldn't agree more, a shame the 85 solid axle was flooded. I was in Avon in the beginning of the summer around May as a test run/surf trip for my cross country road trip. Chances are you saw @svsisu in his red troopy up in the box, although his engine may have been getting rebuilt around then? Honestly have no clue, I'm sure he'll chime in and clarify. If not though... then that means there are 3 red troopy's in coastal NC. Would be very cool.
Agreed, it's the trailer that well require a CDL
I was trying to remember when you were out here... was it really May? That was a while ago and you've put in some miles and smiles since then. No snow down here, but we've had plenty of wind, tide and surf
And plenty of sand, as always. I may be out your way in the next few weeks and will shoot you a message for a meet up.I wasn't on the road in August/September; got the troopy back in November. But if it's been since then it could have been me. Hard to believe there would be another RED troopy running around the outer banks but maybe they are catching on as much as white ones or sandy taupes, but I doubt it.
@Roastchestnuts I'm in Avon. I almost never go to Ocracoke, but this time of year there's a chance I would brave it since it's finally quieted down. I'll keep an eye out for you here on the sand bar.
Driving the other red NC troopy
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@svsisuI was trying to remember when you were out here... was it really May? That was a while ago and you've put in some miles and smiles since then. No snow down here, but we've had plenty of wind, tide and surf
I wasn't on the road in August/September; got the troopy back in November. But if it's been since then it could have been me. Hard to believe there would be another RED troopy running around the outer banks but maybe they are catching on as much as white ones or sandy taupes, but I doubt it.
@Roastchestnuts I'm in Avon. I almost never go to Ocracoke, but this time of year there's a chance I would brave it since it's finally quieted down. I'll keep an eye out for you here on the sand bar.
Driving the other red NC troopy
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My wife and I will be in Ocracoke Feb 4 - 6 with the Prado. If you happen to get over that weekend, shoot me a message. I already let @Roastchestnuts know we would be there.
Nice! it might have been yours then. I could have seen you earlier that summer up there and I was just thinking I saw it later than that. My buddy Rich lives near that water tower near the subway. (the closes fast food to me) He said he had seen your red troopy around too. Your are not kidding about the wind, tide and surf. looks like we are in for more wind and rain tonight and tomorrow. Ferrys probably won't run either because of it! @Shyrock is right we should make a small little NC land cruiser meet up! My fiancé says I need somebody to talk land cruiser with haha.I was trying to remember when you were out here... was it really May? That was a while ago and you've put in some miles and smiles since then. No snow down here, but we've had plenty of wind, tide and surf
I wasn't on the road in August/September; got the troopy back in November. But if it's been since then it could have been me. Hard to believe there would be another RED troopy running around the outer banks but maybe they are catching on as much as white ones or sandy taupes, but I doubt it.
@Roastchestnuts I'm in Avon. I almost never go to Ocracoke, but this time of year there's a chance I would brave it since it's finally quieted down. I'll keep an eye out for you here on the sand bar.
Driving the other red NC troopy
View attachment 2900473
Also Love the picture with the ship wreck. One just got uncovered in the last storm down here on the northland of the island.
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Haha this is really cool and fun way to make some money as a student
But question, I'm wondering what is the legality / insurance status of having a ton of people in a car in the US? Is there a limit?
Because in Europe basically the absolute limit is 9, a personal vehicle can't have more than 9 registered seats and/or 9 passengers. Even imported antique vehicles can't bypass this rule (while they generally can for other regulations). Starting with 10 seats/passengers a vehicle must be registered as a public transport vehicle and you need the adequate license to drive it.
We have more freedom and less regulation here in the US. No cop is going to give you a ticket for being a sober designated driver. If the doors were all open with people hanging out yelling and throwing beer bottles at cars, or better yet shooting guns out of the car while moving you'd probably get a ticket.....even without laws there is a dollar amount max that insurance will cover for people injured in a accident.Haha this is really cool and fun way to make some money as a student
But question, I'm wondering what is the legality / insurance status of having a ton of people in a car in the US? Is there a limit?
Because in Europe basically the absolute limit is 9, a personal vehicle can't have more than 9 registered seats and/or 9 passengers. Even imported antique vehicles can't bypass this rule (while they generally can for other regulations). Starting with 10 seats/passengers a vehicle must be registered as a public transport vehicle and you need the adequate license to drive it.
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- #536
Blue Ridge Parkway opened up yesterday which allowed my buddies and I to watch a crazy sunset last night, wish I had my actual camera but I didn't so y'all only get iPhone photos. Still beautiful nonetheless.
Charging the troopy up at the EV station.
No crazy updates with the Red Rocket, still chugging along hauling everyone everywhere as usual.
Charging the troopy up at the EV station.
No crazy updates with the Red Rocket, still chugging along hauling everyone everywhere as usual.
I hate being this guy, but...
Documenting a bunch of people in your car, without enough seatbelts, and saying you make a little money off it, is not a good idea.
And,
Police in college towns see road tragedies on a semi-regular basis. They should pull over any overloaded vehicle like that, 17 dead students is bad PR.
I enjoy this thread, and love seeing you enjoy the troopy with your friends.
Documenting a bunch of people in your car, without enough seatbelts, and saying you make a little money off it, is not a good idea.
And,
Police in college towns see road tragedies on a semi-regular basis. They should pull over any overloaded vehicle like that, 17 dead students is bad PR.
I enjoy this thread, and love seeing you enjoy the troopy with your friends.
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- #538
Don't worry about being "that guy" I agree with you, definitely not the smartest thing to do. Let me clarify some stuff tho. I didn't make any money off of this quick trip, it was all of my friends I know personally and took literally 5 minutes of my time, not gonna charge my friends for that lol. The road tragedies that happen tend to be with drunk drivers, driving people to parties and back, like @robmobile73 said "No cop is going to give you a ticket for being a sober designated driver." Obviously that changes with 17 people loaded into a car but point still stands in general. Not saying a drunk driver couldn't hit us with 17 people in the troopy causing an accident but it would be much less of a tragedy when my max speed was 25mph on smaller back roads. Would I take any more than 10 people in the troopy to somewhere where the speed limit is 35mph or more, such as main roads? No, definitely not. One other thing is the troopy has somewhat of a police immunity (to an extent) here in Boone, I'm known by many of the 3 local police departments as the kid with the red troop carrier that has a PA system and drives kids to parties and back. ASU/Boone has the most police presence out of any college campus/town in NC, 3 different police departments patrolling the same areas. They know I have a PA that is loud enough to reach the other side of campus and that I use it occasionally just to mess with people (like making fart noises) or get all the students and spectators hype on game days, I'll tell them "have a good day" over the PA whenever I drive past them. Multple cops have come up to me just to talk about the troopy and the majority have mentioned they see and appreciate what I do on the weekends, getting plastered kids to parties and back safely. This doesn't mean I just blantaly break laws in the troopy, it sticks out like a sore thumb, being bright red, tall, straighpiped, and Christmas lights on it, I'm very aware of the fact that everything I do is being viewed by people that know who I am, same thing for back in Wilmngton, just Boone is much smaller and dense. Whatever I do in the troopy someone will see, someone will record, and they will know I was most likely behind the wheel, for this reason I try to keep the stupidity lower than MANY other college kids I know. Here's a picture on google maps showing how far away the mention club is from me, I was incorrect about a mile it was actually .3 haha
Regardless, I seriously appreciate the concern you have and that you enjoy this thread, watching my freinds and I do some pretty generic or pretty dumb stuff with the troopy, I'm here to document it all. Now here's some more photos of an abusrd amount of people crammed into Yota's, albiet in 3rd world countries, holding AK's.
AK's... I knew SOMETHING was missing from your Troopy adventures. Ha!
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- #540
Forget Montana for this summer's roadtrip, my and I buddies will be taking the troopy to the Russia/Ukraine border!!! Can't wait to see what trouble we will get into over there
