Lived in Thailand for the past few years and now I'm back. Made plans when I was there to import a Tuk Tuk. I've done all the leg work as far as shipping and everything.
Getting compliance in NZ is my only worry. It will have disc breaks and seat belts and roll bars also.
Here is the source of my confusion, I know of two Tuk Tuks in the Bay of Plenty. One is registered as a Car, one is registered as a Tricycle(motorbike). In my battle to find out why I came across this: http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/41104/3-2-2-flowchart-3-wheeled-w-title.pdf The key thing I can see there is the gross weight limit. It's not worth importing if I can't register it as a car. (Class MA). So if the Tuk Tuk's gross weight is 1000kg, is my understanding right that I should qualify for class MA?
Accelerator is a twist grip, same as a motorcycle. Clutch is the left foot pedal, rear brakes are the right pedal, gear stick is in between your legs and the front brake is as per normal motorbikes, on the right hand lever.
car need frontal impact standard airbags abs stability controll and euro 4 emission law. unless it is older then 20 years.
petal_91,
Apr 9, 11:49pm
This woman had a tuktuk registered as a cross between a motorcycle and a car whatever that is? I guess it might mean passengers do not have to wear crash helmets.
Yeah I saw the lady on Stewart island. Quite interesting. But it's a much smaller model than what I'll be using. Also thanks for that intrade. Does beg the question how others have gotten around it though. There's an Italian Tuk Tuk and 2 Thai ones around here. I know the Italian one was only imported a few years ago too.
robotnik,
Apr 10, 12:10am
Personally that looks far too dangerous to me, and to ride it on NZ roads you should be wearing a helmet and leathers and paying a higher ACC levy for the privilege. But good luck to you anyway, in your efforts to get it registered as a car.
debulebule,
Apr 10, 12:25am
I guess my 'danger perception levels' are at an all time low after driving in Bangkok for the past couple of years. Haha. Thanks for the input though mate. I'll keep this updated as I come across the different inevitable hurdles.
mals69,
Apr 10, 12:54am
Nothing like importing a bomb on wheels - location of fuel tank was dodgey ones I went in. Still got me T shirt had to end up buying to stop being hassled by tuk tuk drivers "No I don't want no fu.ckn tuk tuk or suit shop visit . "
debulebule,
Apr 10, 12:56am
x1
Good call there Bitsy. Have sent the person a message. Checking car jam, they seem to have had it registered as a Car. Scratch built, 2012 model. Interesting.
And so the plot thickens.
debulebule,
Apr 10, 1:00am
Haha Mals, I have been in your shoes many a time. These ones are built to European standards. Besides, it's not like I'm planning on doing long distance hauls with it.
The thing is with the ones actually IN Thailand is that there is only a certain amount of licenses for them available. No more can be issued, so even old bombs fetch a pretty penny for the locals and when they are well and truly done with they just strip it back to the chassis and build it up again with the same VIN/registration.
Fortunately the ones made for export are in a whole different ball park.
richardmayes,
Apr 10, 1:16am
Looks bigger and heavier than any number of Japanese 660cc Kei cars that are on the road here, no problems!
No doubt a fun way to get to the other end of the beach/Strip a bit quicker when you are out on the turps. Good luck.
socram,
Apr 10, 1:37am
I thought that as they are now racing two classes of utes in NZ at so called higher level meetings, the next logical step would have been Tuk-Tuk racing - which would probably be more watchable and more fun anyway.
Are they really 1000kg? My 1970 two-seater GT with 6 cylinder iron block, iron head, iron manifolds, is about 1040kg and the current alloy engined V8 project saloon, weighs about the same.
debulebule,
Apr 10, 1:50am
No, they aren't 1000KG. That's the issue. But others in the country seem to have got around that. Fully loaded with 6 people plus driver they would be close if not over that amount.
Despite having certain processes in place. It seems it's different depending on who you ask and how they feel.
Also, +1 for Tuk Tuk racing.
tulip17,
Apr 10, 2:58am
Sure I've seen them here on the telly - I was meaning bomb in-terms of explosion :) I use to make out I was deaf too and sign back to the street hawkers, or use the only sentence I learned living in Holland in a deep guttural voice "je hebt mooie borsten" - "You have beautiful breasts" wee thai's none the wiser and backed right off lolloll - set of headphones best travelling apparatus in Thailand.
Why don't you just get one made here ? Nothing to them
tulip17,
Apr 10, 3:00am
Wish the mrs would stop using the same browser :)
debulebule,
Apr 10, 3:28am
My favourite one was just counting 1 through 10 repeatedly in the Maori I remembered from High School. That had them walking away fairly quickly.
To be honest, had never even considered making one here. The price of these all up landed is about 10k.
Whether one could be made here for less, (probably). But that doesn't take into account the safety standards etc. Interesting idea though.
mals69,
Apr 10, 4:11am
Maori hehe nice one haka go down well too.
Put a 10k car next to a tuk tuk and ask someone what the tuk tuk worth - would they say the same value ? You build a tuk tuk here under custom built like my mate does who builds trikes - register as a car for cheap rego and no helmet needed. Vinned and meets safety standards etc. Hassle factor doing it all but be worth it if need a couple.
debulebule,
Apr 10, 4:16am
No way would anyone guess the same value. But it was never about value for me though. Was more passion than anything.
Very interesting though as I said, will have to look into it. If it's feasible it'd probably be worth it.
horrid1,
Apr 10, 4:36am
Have you seen or spoken to "Catweazle"? check out his profile!
debulebule,
Apr 10, 4:44am
I know of his Tuk Tuk. I haven't talked with him. But will try contact when I see an auction of his.
Edit: Turns out I know of him through the Thai temple here. Small world.
mals69,
Apr 10, 4:53am
Passion good !
Are they genuine tuk tuk in the bay ? Why registered as two different modes of transport ? The indicator lens etc will most probably not comply - be good get it all in writing the requirements. I've got a kx500 MX bike I wanted to road register but no can do, if I got an engineer to make up a copy of the frame I can come in under the homebuilt rego - its all plain ridiculous the system
noswalg,
Apr 10, 7:12am
Interesting, a Tuk Tuk service in Oban. The longest stretch of road is like 7km, wonder what she charges. Mind you there is scooter hire and a couple of Ford Ka's for hire so could be a very limited market.
So to answer you question I don't think you can get a Tuk TuUk onto the road in NZ as a car however as a motor tri-cycle I think you can carry upto 9 people.
debulebule,
Apr 10, 7:56am
Super nova you are awesome. Just looking in the wrong place. Top work.
yz490,
Apr 10, 10:35am
There were two tuk tuks with daihatsu motors used as taxi's in Palmy Nth about 20 years go--someone else might remember?. There's a couple in Dunedin [i think] who went to India recently to buy or hire a tuk tuk [if that's a rickshaw], had a small motor & did 3500ks fraught with mechanical problems. Were raising money for children's school lunches [or breakfast]. Had to admire them for sure--hope they write a book. Sorry for getting off track.--anyway-- Just thought of more lol, Son was in Nepal last year & taking a taxi ride [rickshaw--tuktuk! ] was interesting [understatement], flat out everywhere & running into buses that stopped in the way to get them to move over, horn tooting all the way, pretty crazy stuff & we think our roads are crowded.
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