Well said, Lloyd. As a contractor, I've been driving trucks for 4 decades and have experienced first-hand the inflation in trucks size. The current F-150 dwarfs one from the 80's or 90's. In fact Ford now has a "maverick" that's about the size of an old F-150. I had to get a screw-on ladder for the tailgate of my most recent truck because it's so high off the ground I could no longer easily climb in (and I'm 6' tall).
I'm always amazed when I see trucks that clearly are mostly commuter vehicles. My current fleet (a Silverado 1500 and an F-250) get about 16 and 12 mpg, respectively. I would never drive a truck if i didn't have to. A vehicle useless for anything but hauling shit around.
And the reactions you get show how much driving these stupid behemoths are seen as lifestyle signifiers more than anything else. Every SUV ad seems to show them somewhere where no vehicle should be - the conquest of nature is always the subtext in the marketing. Even if a soccer field is as close as the vehicle ever gets to off-road.
Yes, Dan - please get louder with your opinion/expertise as a contractor who has a fleet etc. The fact that you'd "never drive a truck if I didn't have to" is gold. I live in a quiet neighborhood in Seattle and in the past few years have seen a lot of households get new trucks (minimally, the double cab Honda version - but all the way up to gigantic), and these are all for cases where the drivers are NOT in a construction or such fields. I'm hoping way more contractors might speak to this. It's about the right tool for the job. Meanwhile - people are dying. Maybe the campaign is "what vehicle do you use when you are not on the job?"... and loads of contractors say "ebike for local trips" (I can dream...).
Also a contractor driving a 2014 Silverado Work Truck only out of necessity. It's basically my rolling tool shed/hauler. I'm 100% with you Lloyd and I too wouldn't drive it if I didn't need it. Luckily I'm 6'3 so I can still reach over the bed walls but anything in the center 1/3 of the bed is out of reach even for me. Don't get me started on the late model pick ups. When I'm at the stop light next to one I'm looking at the door handles! Luckily I haven't hit any pedestrians but I did turn into a parking lot stanchion at Menards that was totally blocked from view by my hood and A pillar. Took out my electronic steering and broke the suspension to the tune of $6000!
Lloyd I have been following your anti-truck articles for years.
But I have to admit, I agree with you on this. Todays trucks are too big, too high, and too expensive. And while the govt. can take some blame, we as consumers must take the majority of the blame because we're the ones buying them.
Good on you, you may feel like you're a lone voice in the wilderness, but, if you are, so are the majority of us on this point.
"Traffic safety data from the NHTSA consistently shows that about 75 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur on sections of a road or street without intersections, suggesting intersections are the safest point to cross a road."
Can we get your piece on platforms that a lot more people will read, Lloyd? You nail it - and the images, as well as your personal experience with a normal-sized Subaru, add so much to the tale. It is all culture and ridiculousness. Even those teeny tiny women climbing down out of gigantic trucks really don't want to be driving them, I'm sure.
Doesn't make up for the 95% fluff articles that are left. I may have thrown a bunch of darts from points of view that most of the TH Commenters didn't like, but at least you brought "meaty" topics to bear.
And yes, haven't been here lately - Life went into double-overdrive back in June.
how would you know? they made the choice to buy it, who are you to determine that?
the insurance rates should be higher the smaller the vehicle, down to the highest costs being scooters, and bicyclers who also should have to buy insurance if you are on the public highway
Well said, Lloyd. As a contractor, I've been driving trucks for 4 decades and have experienced first-hand the inflation in trucks size. The current F-150 dwarfs one from the 80's or 90's. In fact Ford now has a "maverick" that's about the size of an old F-150. I had to get a screw-on ladder for the tailgate of my most recent truck because it's so high off the ground I could no longer easily climb in (and I'm 6' tall).
I'm always amazed when I see trucks that clearly are mostly commuter vehicles. My current fleet (a Silverado 1500 and an F-250) get about 16 and 12 mpg, respectively. I would never drive a truck if i didn't have to. A vehicle useless for anything but hauling shit around.
And the reactions you get show how much driving these stupid behemoths are seen as lifestyle signifiers more than anything else. Every SUV ad seems to show them somewhere where no vehicle should be - the conquest of nature is always the subtext in the marketing. Even if a soccer field is as close as the vehicle ever gets to off-road.
Yes, Dan - please get louder with your opinion/expertise as a contractor who has a fleet etc. The fact that you'd "never drive a truck if I didn't have to" is gold. I live in a quiet neighborhood in Seattle and in the past few years have seen a lot of households get new trucks (minimally, the double cab Honda version - but all the way up to gigantic), and these are all for cases where the drivers are NOT in a construction or such fields. I'm hoping way more contractors might speak to this. It's about the right tool for the job. Meanwhile - people are dying. Maybe the campaign is "what vehicle do you use when you are not on the job?"... and loads of contractors say "ebike for local trips" (I can dream...).
A former next door neighbor once said "Big truck, small dick."
how would you know someones "size"
typical personal attack, when facts are not there
You forgot the "/sarc" bit, VB. Remember the lack of the humor gene.
Also a contractor driving a 2014 Silverado Work Truck only out of necessity. It's basically my rolling tool shed/hauler. I'm 100% with you Lloyd and I too wouldn't drive it if I didn't need it. Luckily I'm 6'3 so I can still reach over the bed walls but anything in the center 1/3 of the bed is out of reach even for me. Don't get me started on the late model pick ups. When I'm at the stop light next to one I'm looking at the door handles! Luckily I haven't hit any pedestrians but I did turn into a parking lot stanchion at Menards that was totally blocked from view by my hood and A pillar. Took out my electronic steering and broke the suspension to the tune of $6000!
Lloyd I have been following your anti-truck articles for years.
But I have to admit, I agree with you on this. Todays trucks are too big, too high, and too expensive. And while the govt. can take some blame, we as consumers must take the majority of the blame because we're the ones buying them.
Good on you, you may feel like you're a lone voice in the wilderness, but, if you are, so are the majority of us on this point.
I take no blame, I purchase, and drive what I like
currently a 500+ muscle car, every day, 70 mile round trip
I drive it because it is my choice, not yours
"Traffic safety data from the NHTSA consistently shows that about 75 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur on sections of a road or street without intersections, suggesting intersections are the safest point to cross a road."
Can we get your piece on platforms that a lot more people will read, Lloyd? You nail it - and the images, as well as your personal experience with a normal-sized Subaru, add so much to the tale. It is all culture and ridiculousness. Even those teeny tiny women climbing down out of gigantic trucks really don't want to be driving them, I'm sure.
It would be nice if Treehugger didn't lay us all off! I wish I had more exposure too, but I am trying!
I hear you. Deciding where to prioritize posting and where your existing audiences may find or follow you is a whole new level of difficulty.
But the tiny houses!
Doesn't make up for the 95% fluff articles that are left. I may have thrown a bunch of darts from points of view that most of the TH Commenters didn't like, but at least you brought "meaty" topics to bear.
And yes, haven't been here lately - Life went into double-overdrive back in June.
how would you know? they made the choice to buy it, who are you to determine that?
the insurance rates should be higher the smaller the vehicle, down to the highest costs being scooters, and bicyclers who also should have to buy insurance if you are on the public highway
Hear, hear.
I support this initiative 100%. Pay up or get out!