WARNING - Harlan County License Plate Crack Down - WARNING

Ok in response to insurance and tags. Many states require inspection to get tags. Many of the vehicles that are towed to harlan will not pass inspection. Two things that come to mind are bumper height and fenders to cover tires. Lets move on and say you can get a tag, then insurance is a joke. I don't know of any insurance companies will not cover vehicles with modified suspensions. A few years ago I called every one of them in the phone book. Lift your jeep 8" and tell your agent and they will not cover it. Yeah, there's a loop hole - don't tell them. The problem then is if you are in an accident they have the right to refuse to pay. This becomes even more difficult if the vehicle is home made like a buggy.

My thoughts are that tags and insurance is a lost cause. If anyone knows of a cheap insurance that didn't care about mods done to a rig please post up.

The real solution is as Shoope suggested - we get parking near the trail and stay out of town.
 
rockcity said:
thats a little different as its not something typically used on the road requiring a tag, insurance, and registration. And, if the towns don't care, they don't care, at that moment. but, the time they start enforcing it and you're supposed to have tag, registration and insurance, you should be legal. just because they don't check one day doesn't mean they can't check at any time. I mean, I know they have been lack with it up there, but I'd imagine you'd have at least INSURANCE if you drive it on a public road. Thats just common sense to me to protect yourself and your lively-hood.
for eveyone to cry about having to obey normal laws is absurd. I'm surprised they haven't done anything about it before.
don't take this as me thinking the cops are right in what they are doing, its just my $.02 looking in from the outside
Click to expand...

Have you ever been wheeling in Harlan?
 
Another option is to take your business to the Putney side and stay at Harlan County Campground, http://www.harlancountycampground.com/ It's not as convenient for me. Further to drive, no stores or restaurants nearby, but there is plenty of room for parking, camping and access to the trails without going on any road.

As was said, it's not the business owners in Evarts that don't want us, they want our $ for sure. It's a state of KY thing where they have found out what's going on with untagged, uninsured vehicles using a state road and they intend to put an end to it.

Now that the park commission has a lease, they should spend some $ to provide us a place on the trail side of 38 for camping, parking and enact a local ordinance to allow us to ride from there to the trail head on non-state pavement.

Granted, I'll still be going to wheel the trails there, but.......If they deny me the convenience of riding, driving my rig back to the campground, driving my rig to eat or to sped money at other locations such as gas and snacks, I may opt for the comfort and luxury of a motel in Harlan and just tow the 8 miles to the trail head.
 
While a major PITA over the years, I've kept registration, tags, & insurance on the Moss. Luckily, the whole inspection deal has past (35 years from date of manuf)...

Outside of the Montgomery Cty. deputies at URE :rolleyes:, I've never been asked to produce any "proof". However, a few years back in Mtn. City, we headed to town for supper. Same scenario... a lone city LEO *hiding* behind a building in town & radioing the "posse". You'd have thought there'd been a bank robbery or something! Seems I'd forgot to pull the Eagle/Globe/Anchor plate off the rear and it was covering up my NC plate. One of the 5 LEOs asked *if* I had a tag, so I showed him it was underneath, so went ahead & put it on the outside. They all grinned and left... still had me puckered up!

I completely understand where Chips coming from! He was man enough to admit he didn't have his tag, but was outraged by the false/trumped no insurance & seatbelt charges.
 
I'm going to suggest just as others have to stay at the putney side, they have plenty of room for trailers and they have cabins and campsites. There is also a gas station and food place less than a mile from the campground...

it was really convenient and it really was not any farther than driving into evarts, plus they have showers for campers...:popcorn:
 
We are hoping to have a parking lot on the baileys creek trailhead sometime within 3 months. Give or take a month or 2.
But this will happen. More than likely this parking lot will be right past the guard shack on the right.
 
97tjguzzy said:
I'm going to suggest just as others have to stay at the putney side, they have plenty of room for trailers and they have cabins and campsites. There is also a gas station and food place less than a mile from the campground...
it was really convenient and it really was not any farther than driving into evarts, plus they have showers for campers...:popcorn:
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good plan. Screw Evarts if they are going to play it like that.

Here is the Putney trailhead campground website:
http://www.harlancountycampground.com/
 
Again, I don't think it's Evarts. The Mayor and Police Chief both were not for this crackdown! This is a county/state thing having to do with a state highway that the Highway Patrol and Sheriff have decided to make an issue.

Can you imagine some of these RVs and duallys with three rigs on a trailer making the run from the RR tracks up to the trail head? What if one of them wants to stop and look at the snakes? :) There are sections there where you cannot get one of those rigs and a car side by side! Next they'll have to widen the road and there goes all our permit fees :(

I really like riding Black Mountain and I'll keep going but IMO this is just the tip of the iceberg! Once you get government involved things start to go downhill for the average Joe. The license crackdown is just the first. Next, higher taxes, higher campground fees, no camping on the trails to force people to pay campground fees, higher annual park fees, eco-nazis getting involved, etc, etc!
 
I heard from the city of Evarts this morning that all of this came about because of some wheelers being extremely intoxicated in a couple of businesses then heading out on the road.

They are working with the state and county to get on the same page about vehicle registration and what is considered as an ATV. The Mayor is working hard to resolve or clarify these issues and should be having a presense on this forum soon.
 
I heard from the city of Evarts this morning that all of this came about because of some wheelers being extremely intoxicated in a couple of businesses then heading out on the road.
Click to expand...


This part doesn't surprise me t all, I really hate that all it takes is a few of these people to ruin it for all of us.


They are working with the state and county to get on the same page about vehicle registration and what is considered as an ATV. The Mayor is working hard to resolve or clarify these issues and should be having a presense on this forum soon.
Click to expand...

I think this is awesome that first off they actually seem to WANT us there. Hope some sort of compromise can be worked out to let us have limited highway use, at least from the popular camping/cabin spots to the trails.
 
My opinion-
No doubt that it is our best interest to be tagged and insured. Should we be in an accident with a "buggy" type of rig especially, we could in serious financial trouble. I know its not easy to tag and insure a rig, but it seems like its the lesser of the evils possible.

My personal experience in Harlan-
Was there for opening weekend in my YJ buggy. No tail lights, no windshield, 40's, with just KC driving lights for headlights. No tag, insurance, no booze either. We were on the way back to town headed to the motel at about 9 PM. Up ahead was a license check with State Troopers. Oh sh*t. I rolled through, he asked if I had been drinking, Nope, I said. He asked, "You here with all the 4 wheeling people?" " Yup" I said. He then said to have a good time and come back soon.

This was about 3 1/2 years ago when it first opened. Things change, but when the counties and small towns want immediate income, tickets and taxes are an easy way to get them.

They need concrete, in stone, laws set forth if they want to continue to cater to us all. No BS is the single best thing I liked about Harlan.
 
now that the tables are turned its a big deal now.....do you all remember a very long time ago 6 months at the most when their wasn't any harlan county parkboared overseeing the park and its permitts.things were just fine,an incident every now and then but that was from people being stupid.
then out of the blue.and after almost secret set of meeting and a vote from the parkboared low and behold a certain Ken Crider had weazled his way into office, since then the atv part of this offroad park has been getting pulled over ticketed since this switch of hands had been passed.so to this looks like some of Mr crider's plan might be backfiring on himself,which in the end its all of us that suffer.weather you area crawler or a atver it doesn't matter they are all toy we have fun with,but you have a cancer like ken crider and his kronies who have a hand in running things wewill all suffer
my opinion
 
TiredIronGRB said:
I heard from the city of Evarts this morning that all of this came about because of some wheelers being extremely intoxicated in a couple of businesses then heading out on the road.
They are working with the state and county to get on the same page about vehicle registration and what is considered as an ATV. The Mayor is working hard to resolve or clarify these issues and should be having a presense on this forum soon.
Click to expand...
Tell the city of Evarts they don't need to worry about my money anymore, I'll be on the putney side from now on..and it seems like most others I've talked to will be also.
 
BIGWOODY said:
Tell the city of Evarts they don't need to worry about my money anymore, I'll be on the putney side from now on..and it seems like most others I've talked to will be also.
Click to expand...

If nothing changes, then i will be forced to say the same thing. I am going to give them some time to hopefully get it sorted out, i dont have any trips planned up there really soon anyway, but was hoping to make it at least once this summer.
 
now that the tables are turned its a big deal now.....do you all remember a very long time ago 6 months at the most when their wasn't any harlan county parkboared overseeing the park and its permitts.things were just fine,an incident every now and then but that was from people being stupid.
then out of the blue.and after almost secret set of meeting and a vote from the parkboared low and behold a certain Ken Crider had weazled his way into office, since then the atv part of this offroad park has been getting pulled over ticketed since this switch of hands had been passed.so to this looks like some of Mr crider's plan might be backfiring on himself,which in the end its all of us that suffer.weather you area crawler or a atver it doesn't matter they are all toy we have fun with,but you have a cancer like ken crider and his kronies who have a hand in running things wewill all suffer
my opinion
Click to expand...
Opinions are like a$$holes,everybody has one and most of em stink.Take your bs back over to the ATV boards.You people got your panties in a bunch over the fee system,but what you dont realize/dont want to see is that in this day and time it is a nessacary evil to keep the parks open.I have been there several times (7 times last year) and their is as much atv traffic as their is truck traffic.
 
JC, I hear you. The problem isn't THE town of Evarts, but the problem is IN the town of Evarts. Bottom line is I don't see a small town mayor telling the Kentucky State Highway Patrol how to do there job. As Yager and others have said, they need a big ass parking lot and campground right at the trail head.
 
eclique said:
now that the tables are turned its a big deal now.....do you all remember a very long time ago 6 months at the most when their wasn't any harlan county parkboared overseeing the park and its permitts.things were just fine,an incident every now and then but that was from people being stupid.
then out of the blue.and after almost secret set of meeting and a vote from the parkboared low and behold a certain Ken Crider had weazled his way into office, since then the atv part of this offroad park has been getting pulled over ticketed since this switch of hands had been passed.so to this looks like some of Mr crider's plan might be backfiring on himself,which in the end its all of us that suffer.weather you area crawler or a atver it doesn't matter they are all toy we have fun with,but you have a cancer like ken crider and his kronies who have a hand in running things wewill all suffer
my opinion
Click to expand...

You really dont have a clue! If It wasnt for Ken stepping up their would not be a park right now! Do you got that?
Ken is not against ATV's. His main interests is making Harlan the safest and best offroad destination in the east! Period!
 
I must agree with Shoope1, Ken has always been a very strong part of the park and will help with anything he can. you can always see him out at the events helping where ever he can( when he could be wheeling ).I feel he is a valued person to have on the board. He has wheelers best interest in mind.
 
eclique said:
but you have a cancer like ken crider and his kronies who have a hand in running things we will all suffer my opinion
Click to expand...

Not sure where this came from, must have had a run in with Ken at some time. I just wanted to add that all the times I've ridden with Ken I have found him to be knowledgeable, helpful and friendly! As a retired LEO he can be a little hard assed I'm sure but under the gruff exterior he's a nice guy! He actually spent his Saturday sitting at the trail head selling permits so that those that had forgot or didn't know could get one without having to go all the way back to the Chevron! That's the kind of thing he does.
 
I don't usually get into these discussions but I thought I would try to pass along some information for you.
Here is a link to the Kentucky Revised Statues defining an all terrian vehicle in Kentucky. Number 24 is the definition for all terrain vehicle.
http://lrc.ky.gov/KRS/189-00/010.PDF
As you can see it is very broad. This is not law, but my opinion, that a home made buggy designed to ride off road would be classified as an all terrain vehicle. It should fall under the ATV ordinance that the city of Evarts has. The ordinance cannot supersede state law. To lawfully drive a home made buggy in town you would have to do it in daylight hours, have a driver's license, wear a helmet, follow all traffic laws, and have at least one head light and two tail lights. You would not have to have tags because you cannot register it in Ky. Only registered vehicles have to have insurance. By KRS 189.525 you can cross a state highway and ride on it for two tenths of a mile to get from trail to trail. Anyone cited for traveling on a state road must be observed for two tenths of a mile before a violation has occured. Here in lies another problem. There is 8/10's of a mile of Bailey's creek road that is not in the city limits. All vehicles that are not registered and insured are illegal in this area. The city has plans of annexing just that section of roadway, but has not done so yet.
We certainly appreciate all of you that come here to ride. We would have nothing without your visits here. There are plans of a parking lot near the trailhead and improved camping in the park. Please bare with us and give us some time to work out these needed improvements that we can now do with money coming in from the permit sales.
I will be glad to answer any questions or take into consideration any suggestions that you may have regarding the park. Send me a private message on our kymc site or e-mail me at kcfiddleman@harlanonline.net
Ken
 
Ken, saw you at the trail head selling passes, sorry didn't know who you were. But thought it was good that someone was doing this.

Now, reading what you have wrote I wonder. As stated before, I was pulled by the city, and cited by the county. I pulled out of the campground behind the dairy hut, and went to the Family Dollar store. Never come out of 2nd gear. The City officer was not behind me. I saw him backed in when I came out of the store. He blue lighted me and burped his siren BEFORE I pulled back out on Hwy 38 heading back to the campground.
So, He didn't see me for any number of miles. and if he did, is that at least 2/10 of a mile? and the county come in AFTER I was pulled, he didn't witness anything.

And to be honest, for me, a parking area would do little good near the trail head. I tow with an RV. So packing up to make it mobile to tow a lil ways over to the trail head would be a large hassle, and very inconvenient. I am looking hard at the Putney side for my next trip, even though, I will for sure have my tag on my Jeep this time, and be completely legal. I know for sure I will be there if I have to cough up the fines for the charges of which two of the three were totally bogus.
 
In regard to the on road driving aspects. I'm not sure how the State laws apply to the Bailey's creek Rd. (or other side streets) While I don't live in Ky, in most states there are 3 levels of roads. Town/local, county, and state. Each with its various levels of maintenance, and laws.

KY38 - is a state road (aka Kentucky 38)

The others would be local/town or possibly county ??

So simply not driving up/down KY38 into town but using the side streets where possible would allow you to partially comply with this existing law as it stands today. And again as said while following the other ATV rules. This might help some in the mean time.

Definitely annexing Baily's creek Rd. would help out and with other stuff I'm sure.


That said, I find it funny they are asking everyone about drinking and it's a dry town.
 
Mike the second thing out of his mouth was him asking if I had been drinking.
I saw MANY folks drinking while out on the trails. I even heard one lady being bounced around in a bronco fussing because she was spilling her beer. The folks doing it were not taking any measures to hide it. I myself would like for the officers to be inside the park asking the questions and looking for it. If you wanted to, just on the small amount of the park we got to ride, you could load a pick-up truck with beer cans I saw laying around.
So, a dry county don't sell it, but they sure do drink it!
 
Back
Top