Bobbed Deuce/ HOA rules

[Mike H]

I was set on picking up a duece and bobbing it or buying one already done sometime in the first part of next year. I planned on using it daily or at least a couple of times a week. I was also planning on parking it in my driveway as I do my other cars. I live in a community with an HOA. I decided to look at the CC&Rs and noticed a rule that vehicles larger than 3/4 ton are not allowed parked in the driveway or street overnight. I counted three Ford F-650s in the community I know the HOA can be lax on enforcement and is mostly driven by neighbor complaints. I was curious if anyone had a similar delema and if and how it was handled? I have property about 6 miles away I could park it there but that may be too much of a PITA since I would sometimes use it at work. Any (realistic) suggestions (loop holes) would be much appreciated. I was hoping to rise above my current status as an envious lurker to a duece owner.

 

[harleyrkc]

Park it and if they say anything tell them they need to enforce the rules across the board and not just in your driveway. That 3/4 of a ton weight limit should remove 80% of the vehicles in the community when they start checking actual curb weights. I don't think cadillac makes a vehicle under 1 ton for instance.

 

[Jake0147]

Every one is different. The only assurance you'll get from this forum is that regardless of GVW, regardless of size, regardless of laws, regardless of rules, and regardless of the ambition levels of all of those in charge, good bad or indifferent, an M35 will ALWAYS be recieved differently by your neighbors than an F650. (And it's usually more offensive to the guy four blocks up and three streets over than it is to those across the road from you.) F650s are not the benchmark by which to judge the acceptability of the truck you are seeking because theirs are built to blend in and not look like trucks. Your truck can not do that. With HOA's it's usually about appearance and seldom about curb weight, regardless of the wording.
See if the board is willing to drop the rule, since nobody cares... Maybe speak with a few folks who have illegal vehicles?

 

[velociT]

Since you have a property 5 miles away I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Try it in the driveway and if they ask, tell them it is a non-commercial vehicle.

 

[jpekarek]

Park it and if they say anything tell them they need to enforce the rules across the board and not just in your driveway. That 3/4 of a ton weight limit should remove 80% of the vehicles in the community when they start checking actual curb weights. I don't think cadillac makes a vehicle under 1 ton for instance.

I'm pretty sure he is talking about rates weight class ratings for pick up trucks.

 

[FireFighterHill]

My advice would be to get chummy with the people on the HOA and see about changing the rules BEFORE you get your Deuce. You could maybe mention you were looking into buying an antique truck (dont mention what kind). And say I read the rules and noticed it would not be in compliance with the rules, and I wanted to find out if we could change them. If they say no, then bring up the noncompliance of other Home Owners.

On a side note what can you do is your HOA doesnt enforce the rules? Or enforces them selectively? Is the only options to hire a lawyer? Or are there rules that would allow you to kick out the current association leaders and replace them?

 

[KsM715]

and if they ask what kind of truck and you tell them and they say no. Get your truck and get a lawyer before they amend the rules so the 1ton fords and such can stay but not your deuce. They've already set precedence (sp?) by selectively enforcing the rules.

 

[Kohburn]

the only questions are:

do you want it badly enough for the inconvenience of parking it 5 miles away.

and

is 5 miles inconvenient enough to fight over if they decide to make it an issue having at your house.

 

[m16ty]

Every one is different. The only assurance you'll get from this forum is that regardless of GVW, regardless of size, regardless of laws, regardless of rules, and regardless of the ambition levels of all of those in charge, good bad or indifferent, an M35 will ALWAYS be recieved differently by your neighbors than an F650. (And it's usually more offensive to the guy four blocks up and three streets over than it is to those across the road from you.) F650s are not the benchmark by which to judge the acceptability of the truck you are seeking because theirs are built to blend in and not look like trucks. Your truck can not do that. With HOA's it's usually about appearance and seldom about curb weight, regardless of the wording.
See if the board is willing to drop the rule, since nobody cares... Maybe speak with a few folks who have illegal vehicles?

I have to agree with Jake. While I don't live under a HOA (and won't), I've heard too many storries of how HOA treat MVs.

 

[jpekarek]

It's mainly to keep people from parking commercial trucks and semis in the neigborhoods. We have the same (CCRs). No HOA though. There are a few truck drivers in the 'hood and people don't want thier 50 foot long trucks parked everywhere. Nobody has ever said a word about my 5 ton in my driveway though.

 

[Ord22]

i agree with everyone, try it and see what anyone would say. at least you have property else where to park it.

 

[Mike H]

I'm actually the construction manager for the developer in the community I live in. I know everyone at the HOA that works in code enforcement on a personal level. They wouldn't have a problem with it unless one of my neighbors complained (which they would) then they would have to enforce it. As far as comparing a Duece to a F-650......I'm not. Just pointing out that enforcement is not to the letter of the rules. I do not want to battle with the HOA or throw any neighbors who are in violation to the wolves. They're just fortunate that they don't live next to my old craby neighbors. I think it won't deter my purchasing a Duece, I will at least try to convince them that it is not a 2 1/2 ton since it has been modified (bobbed). I did notice also in the rules are that if it is a public safety (police, fire marshal) vehicle or a communications vehicle it is exempt from the 3/4 ton maximum. I'll at least give it a shot, I think forging a trucks tag is only a misdimenor in this state. I would have the biggest 1/2 ton truck ever seen. Again....thanks for your replies.


only stupid question is the one you don't ask.....Mike

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

You should just buy a truck like the one I sold to a guy out your way. It has 4 tires, a 8' bed and is as short as a full size F-250. Since it has been modified you could call it a M-250. Unless the rules specify gross weight, I don't see a problem. Here's a picture to show what I mean.

I forgot, my state farm agent insured this truck as a pick up. And that was after running it by the commercial guy.

One more thing, don't ask anybody what they think (your neighbors). If you believe you are in the right, asking people what they think only gives them a chance to control the situation. But you must do what you think is best, it's your home and we are only "advisers".

 

[Mike H]

You should just buy a truck like the one I sold to a guy out your way. It has 4 tires, a 8' bed and is as short as a full size F-250. Since it has been modified you could call it a M-250. Unless the rules specify gross weight, I don't see a problem. Here's a picture to show what I mean.

I forgot, my state farm agent insured this truck as a pick up. And that was after running it by the commercial guy.

That's a nice truck and hopefully my future bobbed duece will resemble that. I'm hoping that if I could sell it to the HOA as a 3/4 ton than anyone who complains (my two neighbors across the street) would have the burden of proof to say otherwise. I plan on muffling it and not ripping thru the community but some people are just unhappy and will complain about anything just to complain. I do like my community, it has been a good safe place to raise kids with a small town feel but sometimes it bums me out that I am limited because some old fart doesn't like the way that my family and I enjoy life.

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

some people are just unhappy and will complain about anything just to complain.

Sadly, those people will always be with us. I really do believe the best way to handle them is to "nice" them to death.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Can't park it in the driveway or the street. Why not the yard?

 

[Atomic]

Be very carefull if you do plan on involving your "non-complaint" neighbors. By pointing out to the HOA that others are violating the rules you may unwittingly be on the road to neighbor fueds. MVs stand out and there's no way around that. There big and ugly and that's why we like them. Check first but don't go and say "but Bill has this and you don't say anything".

Maybe look into a privacy fence and park it back behind the gate. Sad little kings on sad little ant hills have very nasty bites. It's there little world.

Good luck and remeber respect and kindness still go a long way (at least in my little world).

Atomic's

 

[Mike H]

Be very carefull if you do plan on involving your "non-complaint" neighbors. By pointing out to the HOA that others are violating the rules you may unwittingly be on the road to neighbor fueds. MVs stand out and there's no way around that. There big and ugly and that's why we like them. Check first but don't go and say "but Bill has this and you don't say anything".

Maybe look into a privacy fence and park it back behind the gate. Sad little kings on sad little ant hills have very nasty bites. It's there little world.

Good luck and remeber respect and kindness still go a long way (at least in my little world).

Atomic's

The last thing I would do is throw my neigbors in violation under the bus. I can relate to them more than my cranky neighbors around me. Unfortunately I can not have a gate on the side of my house either. Ultimately I knew there were rules in this community before I built here so I will just suck it up and park my future Duece on my land. I bought it to build a home and a shop on someday so maybe I'll build a shop earlier than planned. If I cut thru and take the river bed my land is 1.4 miles away. My 4x4 Tacoma doesn't leave much of a mark in the banks dropping in or climbing out but I imagine a Duece with 395's might just divert the flow in monsoon flows. I can't wait...

 

[fantastico]

Its an interesting dilemma. I mow, do yard work, do small repairs for all my neighbors and i do it because i can and want to. When it comes time to do something that most neighbors would say NO to, i get a yes. Wanted a telephone pole moved, they all signed the paperwork. I think its best to have a great relationship with them, first. It might be fun to set up a day where you can invite the neighbors and esp their Kids to come to your house to show off the new duece. I would come and look at it if i were your neighbor. Make it fun for everyone, take digital images and give them cd copies. Make it a fun experience. Maybe keep it at the other location and slowly incorporate it over time in your driveway. once a week for two months, twice a week for two months, 4 times a week for 3 months, etc.

 

[mckeeranger]

The last thing I would do is throw my neigbors in violation under the bus. I can relate to them more than my cranky neighbors around me.

Yeah, if you inadvertently get them in trouble, then you have become that cranky neighbor.

I think you are on the right track.