How do you haul your buddy?

[Jaymey]

I just bought a Voyager and will be pulling it out with my 4-wheeler. My question is, how do you bring a friend out with you on the ice and keep it legal? I got a warning last year on Waconia for giving my brother a ride back to shore on my 4-wheeler. She told me he couldn't ride on the 4-wheeler but that he could ride in a sled or trailer if it had a fixed hitch. Would it be possible for him to ride on one of the seats in the Voyager or would that be too much weight in the sled?

[AQUAJOE]

Did he have a helmet and where was he riding on? Seat, Handle bars?

1st time I ever heard of only one to 4 wheeler.

[Cheif Catchemall]

Check out the updated regs in the DNR web page regarding carrying passengers on ATVs. You can now carry a passenger provided they fit the requirements.

[Jaymey]

He was riding behind me on the seat. No helmet. She also told me that if it would have been my son, who is 9, I would have been fine having him ride on the 4-wheeler with me as long as he was wearing his helmet.

[Jaymey]

Thank for the info. It looks like they did change it this year to allow for one passenger. Thanks again

[Cheif Catchemall]

Begining July 1, 2005 it is lawful for adults to carry 1 passenger on an ATV. If that passenger is under the age of 18 they must wear a helmet on both public and private lands. Of the passenger is under 16 years of age, the operator must be the the parent or legal guardian, or other person authorized by the parent or legal guardian. It is unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to carry a passenger on public or private lands.

I am glad they took a good look at that law because my 65yo father would ride public trials with my 60yo mother on the back (115lbs) and that was unlawful but a 175lb 16yo could ride on the back (with a helmet of course) legally at the time. Now they finally have it right.