…Because all our roads are perfectly straight! (ba-dum!)
I snapped this Trifun three wheeled “truck” last month as it was heading South on a local rural State highway, and apparently moving at a pretty good clip, too. What little information I could find on it says this $11,500 vehicle (including an $1,500 optional 1/4 ton capacity bed) will do up to 70mph (slower in turns, natch).
The web site for Trifun appears to have been taken over by one of those ad aggregators and has no information on it today, so I suspect the Trifun’s run in the US was fairly short-lived. Licensed as a motorcycle, they are powered by a 970cc four-cylinder Wuling-GM engine, hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission. Reviews of the vehicle from its 2009 debit in the US were tentative, and non-media reviews were quite negative, focusing on the very cheap materials and build quality. I presume this example was sold out of John Bearce Suzuki in Washington, IL, as it was listed as the only dealer to offer them between Chicago and St. Louis.
Great for manuevering in town but hows the stability
Another fascinating oddity. This reminds me of the Cushman Mailster that the postman used to drive into our driveway every day when delivering the mail when I was a kid.
I cannot imagine that a 3 wheeled pickup truck is a very good idea. Let’s see, raise the center of gravity on an already tippy vehicle and . . . . yeah.
That’s nothing. I again post this photo of an Isuzu three-wheeler on Okinawa I took ‘way back in 1970! Lots of these at the time.
There were many little three-wheel cars – I swear they were Mazdas, but can’t find any reference to them anywhere. 2 wheels in front, single wheel in back. Little putt-putts. Fitting, as the top legal speed limit on the entire island was 30 mph!
That looks like a Mazda T-2000.
I wonder if it handles better than a Reliant…
Does anybody really call it the Middle West out here? Everyone I know calls it the Midwest!
It’s a play on words – don’t tell anyone!
Crazy transplants! Mutter mutter grumble.
That’s what I always said about people who called my home town “Hotlanta.”
(c:
Does it help that we have a small town here that’s named “Palestine”? The people who live there pronounce it pal-is-teen to avoid any confusion.
They’re still available:
http://www.dirtcheapatvonline.com/id75.html
Or maybe they are. You go into the ordering section, and all they’re talking are scooters and ATV’s.
I couldn’t even identify the one I found a couple years back. These things seem to come, die, and embrace obscurity. That’s probably best because the kids of today won’t have fond memories and a drive to restore them.
They used 3-wheeled scooters for several years in the shipyard where I worked. They were tough on drivers’ feet and ankles, because it turns out that it’s very hard to control the instinctive reflex to stick one’s foot out to try to keep the thing from tipping. I was happy when they changed to Daihatsu kei pickups.
If it was well-built, i could actually muster some enthusiasm. With a tilt bed, I could probably drive it right into our garden between the beds, to dump the mint-straw compost right where it needs to go.
I observed that Greece, at least back in the ’70s, had many 3-wheeled trucks. Don’t know why; perhaps it was a tax thing.
Here’s a photo I took of a 3-wheeler in Athens, ca. 1978.
I don’t think Georgia state police would allow that hunk of junk on the roads!
Taxation used to be highly favorable to those utility trikes in Greece. This one specifically resembles the Daihatsu Midget, even though it looks larger. Maybe some of those Volkswagen-powered ones assembled locally in Greece?
You can bet your sweet arse that Pontiac pounced when the yellows broke! Weird hippie mobile!
Speaking of the stability of three wheelers, Top Gear had a hilarious segment in which Jeremy Clarkson made an extreme sport out of rolling a Reliant Robin three wheeler. Here it is:
In the Philippines they have public transportation that they call motorellas. They are custom two wheeled bodies which are attached to generally small displacement 2-cycle motorcycles. They whine, buzz, smoke and are usually overloaded. I consider them one of the greatest parts of the Philippine experience as you can experience all the sounds and smells of the street as you go (slowly) by… ^_^
Somehow the pic did not get added in the first post…
We bought one. They are so cool to drive in. Lots and LOTS of head room, wide open windowshield in front – you can see way more than standard vehicles. Problem developed getting them through customs and after the first few went through, they sat and sat and sat……..maybe it was our major auto companies pulling another “Tucker” trick – IF you know about the Tucker Auto and what the major auto dealers did to him.
Ours is sitting out back….doesn’t run. The computer had a glich and when it quit running could not find anyone who would work on it. It was great lil truck. Had stabilizer bars that kicked in so it would not flip over. Great AC in the roof that blew down your back. Ours was blue also…….wish I had it today or knew of someone who would work on it………has a motorcycle engine. We even drove it in a motorcycle Toys for Tots parade one year.
Arda you can run a computer check on it …passenger side rear under rear seat could be mass air control for fuel inj . I have a 2009 1/4 ton ext -cab replaced coil pack ,, mass air control ,, fuel inj carb ,, runs good ive had it to 65mph it will run faster !!!
What engine does it have? How many cylinders and what’s its displacement?
LOOKING FOR PARTS FOR A TRI-FUN.. ANY IDEAS WHERE THEY CAN BE FOUND.. EMAIL vollmermotors@Comcast.net
Frank is it hard to find parts for the trifun? I’m looking at one it’s been sitting for 4 years. Guy wants 1500 for it I’m on the fence with it.
I have one with 750 Miles on it has been setting for years will sell for $1000.00 for parts
Hi Norm, I may be interested if you still have yours for sale?
Please email me at Rodneym@corebuildingcompany.com
Thanks!
willing to buy a transmission if one of you are willing to part with it.
I’m looking for a transmission… I can’t find anything on the internet about this.
Had the cockpit been centrally-mounted, even though that would likely turn it into a single-seater, the stability would be less of a matter of concern.
wuling built for GM 4 CYL 970 CC 5 SPEED STANDERD A/C , HEAT , AM/FM /CD PLAYER STEREO ,,MAX SPEED 72 MPH DRIVES GOOD AT 55-60 MPH NOT FAST ON TAKE OFF BUT RUNS GOOD AT 55- 60 MPH . HAS DUMP BED ,, SIDES /AND TAIL GATE FOLD DOWN TO MAKE A FLAT BED …IT WEIGHS 1700 – 1800 LBS
Rick, I’m looking for a domestic oil filter for my Trifun. Do you know where I can find out?
bigsidyoung@hotmail.com
Hey guys just got one of this toys, it runs great 2009 only 2200 hundred miles, everyone around me is asking where I found it, I see some negative comments in here, but is just a toy. I am looking for the mirrors if any one knows please let me know.. thx
side mirrors or……
looking for a transmission. 2009 Trifin.
Did you find the oil filter replacement? If so can you share? Thanks.
I don’t know where I can get parts for a 2009?
Looking for parts for my 2009 TriFun 1/4 Ton EXT.
Does anyone have a source? Need bearings for the steering.
Greatly appreciated.
sales.a1indpa@gmail.com
Oh my. TriFun. I still have mine. Sat out in weather and somehow the title got lost. BUT I want to get it running again. Loved it. Even if need replace engine. I’m near Ft Worth looking for a mechanic
Looking for one for parts Norm, do you still have yours? donbergpropertiesllc@yahoo.com
I have a 2009 that is not running. Looking for one for parts Norm, do you still have yours? donbergpropertiesllc@yahoo.com
i just bought two trucks from a guy who was a dealer and they are left overs never titled one has 200 and something miles the other has more not 100%, but i am looking for a place to get parts and also a manual any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance
Going to get rid of mine needs a transmission.
$1500.00