Oversized SUVs and American style pickup trucks are starting to dominate Australia's streets - and this is causing huge environmental and safety problems. So...
Yes, this. The only reason they even became a thing in the US is loopholes in regulation. They’re completely impractical too, they have as much bed capacity as a Kei truck, sometimes less. People only think they “like” them because car companies marketed them as big strong men’s cars.
I’m glad this is being talked about, I’ve noticed them everywhere and it’s getting really concerning, especially as a parent with children who could hide under those massive hoods.
I think they mean professional hauling trucks, like an F650. Vehicles used for commercial transport/utilities (i.e. US DOT, Uhaul, construction firms) are typically equipped with high-torque engines specifically engineered for towing.
This is where the issue arises: for one reason or another, some people want what they call the “best of both worlds”. They want a smaller-sized truck with the same amount of power. To them, this sounds reasonable.
However to anyone into engineering, this is clearly creating a product for profit rather than practicality. It’s a jack of all trades, master of none situation. A car is a tool, and a tool is created with a specific use in mind.
Sometimes I get desperate while working on my carpentry: I have to hammer one more nail in to finish my bookcase, but I don’t have a hammer. I have a wrench, which will do terrible work but it’ll get the job done. Yet my neighbor next door has a good hammer, I could borrow it from them for a bit. Now, what if I had to build a house? I’m not wanting a wrench then, I want my own really good hammer.
Same analogy could be made for Trucks and SUVs. I don’t tow often, but when I do I can rent a capable vehicle. I don’t need to own anything more than a Subaru Legacy at that point. Hell, maybe all I need is an electric bike if my workplace is close enough.
TL;DR there is no net-positive use-case for the average consumer to need a vehicle with over 400lb•ft of torque. It’s just excessive.
(F 350s are far better at towing than an F650. F650s are specifically designed, sprung and geared to haul, not tow, and usually have a weaker motor than the f350s)
I’m not talking about professionals, or people who take their boat out four times a week. That is a specific need for a specific tool, or vehicle. I’m talking about people who daily drive these things to the grocery store and work. So, the average consumer.
Ahh right, truck drivers don’t use them correctly of often enough. I don’t know a single driver of a truck that doesn’t use it at least a few times a year. And everyone time I ask for the numbers, they cite a decade old 2013 survey or the more recent Axios survey which is about as scientific as a truth social post.
They need to be taxed more and held to a higher efficiency requirement.
Yes, this. The only reason they even became a thing in the US is loopholes in regulation. They’re completely impractical too, they have as much bed capacity as a Kei truck, sometimes less. People only think they “like” them because car companies marketed them as big strong men’s cars.
I’m glad this is being talked about, I’ve noticed them everywhere and it’s getting really concerning, especially as a parent with children who could hide under those massive hoods.
Kei truck won’t tow 🤷♂️
A real truck would, and it would have better carrying capacity.
What?
I think they mean professional hauling trucks, like an F650. Vehicles used for commercial transport/utilities (i.e. US DOT, Uhaul, construction firms) are typically equipped with high-torque engines specifically engineered for towing.
This is where the issue arises: for one reason or another, some people want what they call the “best of both worlds”. They want a smaller-sized truck with the same amount of power. To them, this sounds reasonable.
However to anyone into engineering, this is clearly creating a product for profit rather than practicality. It’s a jack of all trades, master of none situation. A car is a tool, and a tool is created with a specific use in mind.
Sometimes I get desperate while working on my carpentry: I have to hammer one more nail in to finish my bookcase, but I don’t have a hammer. I have a wrench, which will do terrible work but it’ll get the job done. Yet my neighbor next door has a good hammer, I could borrow it from them for a bit. Now, what if I had to build a house? I’m not wanting a wrench then, I want my own really good hammer.
Same analogy could be made for Trucks and SUVs. I don’t tow often, but when I do I can rent a capable vehicle. I don’t need to own anything more than a Subaru Legacy at that point. Hell, maybe all I need is an electric bike if my workplace is close enough.
TL;DR there is no net-positive use-case for the average consumer to need a vehicle with over 400lb•ft of torque. It’s just excessive.
(F 350s are far better at towing than an F650. F650s are specifically designed, sprung and geared to haul, not tow, and usually have a weaker motor than the f350s)
What? You can get a 1/4, 1/2, and full ton and they’ll cover 99% of all non professional towing and be 5 mpg down on a car for the 1/4 tons.
What is being towed so often in your scenario?
I’m not talking about professionals, or people who take their boat out four times a week. That is a specific need for a specific tool, or vehicle. I’m talking about people who daily drive these things to the grocery store and work. So, the average consumer.
Ahh right, truck drivers don’t use them correctly of often enough. I don’t know a single driver of a truck that doesn’t use it at least a few times a year. And everyone time I ask for the numbers, they cite a decade old 2013 survey or the more recent Axios survey which is about as scientific as a truth social post.