Legal issues with transporting "troops" in a Deuce - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

Aswayze · 08-28-2008, 11:09

The main reason I have my Deuce is to support my crack like addiction to playing milsim airsoft. It happens that we haul enough gear around when doing larger scale events that even a 1 ton pickup truck was not cutting the mustard and given that we always had to go some place off-road towing a trailer was not an option either. The Deuce has been a godsend for getting stuff around and has proven wildly popular with the player base in general since it makes a super convenient in game transport.

The question has come up from within our group several times about whether or not we can take our troop transporting out of "the game" and use it as a legitimate on road carpooling system to get groups of guys down the road to bigger events where parking is often times at a premium. With gas costing what it does, splitting Deuce diesel 16 ways is a **** of a lot cheaper than splitting car gas 2 or 3 ways. Additionally, many of the younger players do not own their own vehicles so attending out of town events is often times a bridge too far.

How does this play out in the eyes of the law? The Deuce does not have seatbelts in the back but neither does a school bus. Does the driver need to have a chauffeurs license? We always travel with our airsoft weapons in cases typically in a trunk of a vehicle. Since the deuce has no trunk, we would probably stash them in the M105 trailer with the rest of the gear that would otherwise be crammed in the bed so there would be no issue there. I know that at some of the Vietnam reenactments I have seen deuces have used in this capacity to haul "troops" often times several hundred miles. Obviously, we often use our Deuces to carry people at parades as well, is this an exception to the rule thing or are we legitimately allowed to do this?

gimpyrobb · 08-28-2008, 11:24

I would print off the last 2 paragaphs and take it to your state patrol office. See what they have to say about it. It is worded well enough for anyone to understand.

Aswayze · 08-28-2008, 11:27

Actually come to think of it, I live just up the road from a Kansas Highway patrol office. I should just dust off the duece and drive down there this afternoon and ask.

gimpyrobb · 08-28-2008, 11:33

I understand that "their" reach is only in your state, but it would point you in the right direction.

Jones · 08-28-2008, 11:44

Plan on hearing about and addressing these issues; Seat belts and ROPS (roll-over protection system).
They'll want to know your passengers are protected in case of accident.
Might also keep you from a lot of future grief should something unforeseen happen. I know it's a hassle and "not original" but you don't want to deal with having someone hurt in or around your rig while at an event. As lawsuit-happy as people are these days, CYOA is the order of the day.

HeadWizard · 08-28-2008, 11:56

Almost more importantly, print off your post and give it to your insurance agent. Chances are, they will FREAK OUT at your suggestion.

It's better to know now if you are not covered.

ida34 · 08-28-2008, 12:01

Every state is different. The main key point is if the area was designed to transport passengers. I would say it is. It has side boards that fold down to make seats. The rear has a safety strap to make sure people do not fall out. It will haul cargo but was designed to transport troops also. Make sure you bring this point home. It will probably be the key for most states. My kids always want to ride in the back. I had kept saying no until I thought about it. Except for the lack of seat belts the rear offers the same amount of roll over protection that the front does. That is to say none. Lets face it. If we turn these things over we are screwed no matter where you are in the truck. You would not need a chauffeurs license unless your were transporting them to make money. In Michigan there is an exception for parades for carrying people in the back of pickups but again I would argue that the deuce is designed to carry troops in the back. Remember a few years back the subaru trucks came with rear facing seats in the back. It was a pickup but was designed to carry people in the back. Just having people sitting on the bed of a pickup would be a clear violation if the law prohibited it since there are no provisions for passengers. Some states also make an age cut off for putting people in the back of a truck. There is no doubt the deuce is a truck but it is designed to carry troops or people also.

CGarbee · 08-28-2008, 12:20

In North Carolina, the cut off for kids in the back of a vehicle is 12 unless certain requirements are met, then it is lower... I have a page on my website with the General Statute on it.

Since the M35 actually has provisions for hauling troops as Chuck states, it doesn't even fall into NC's restrictions for hauling people. My personal rule is that they always have to be seated when the truck is in motion, and that we have at least one adult (usually try for two-one on each side on oposite corners) to keep an eye on everyone.

bigbee · 08-28-2008, 16:31

Hope this comes out good enough to read. Shows the safe carrying capacity for each vehicle,

Stagg · 08-28-2008, 16:35

Not really hauling small kids anyway. For a lower limit, we are talking 18 year olds here and maybe a few 16 and 17s thrown in.