this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2024
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Fuck Cars

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[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Hi, I use a truck daily for work.

If I could trade in my current truck for something more economical, with similar cargo space for the things I actually use it for, I'd take it. Can't afford a new vehicle, but if I could trade my truck in for one of those stubby EU type trucks, whose beds are almost the same size, I'd do it.

I used to love bombing around the winding roads in the middle of winter at night, you can see people coming for a mile down the road and can go fast. It was fun. I don't need a big 2,000lb monstrosity to get the same feeling. An ebike and woods will do it.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Have you considered a cargo van? They tend to get slightly better fuel economy than similar sized trucks. I also find them much better to work out of. Their beds are low, their cargo is covered, you can build shelves and workbenches along the walls, they lock more securely than a truck cap, and they have better visbility.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'd like to have one, actually. There's a few with a sloped front that allows for way better visibility that get great gas mileage.

Everything is expensive as shit though...

I'd love to get an Electric van. I don't need the huge amounts of height some have, it seems trucks get wider and vans get taller. the enclosed cargo space is great for peace of mind, though.

In a perfect world I would get a van with a small frame and small forward silhouette, with no hood or sloped hood, that sits no more than 8ft off the ground. Having a higher suspension, or the ability to raise the suspension for better off-road clearance is nice for some jobs, but not strictly necessary.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I just started working out of a tall van I can stand in. I can't imagjne going back to crawling around vans. We do need a lot of space for some of our jobs so we do end up needing the larger cargo area. The back of the van doubles as a workshop which is nice as well. Our company did buy a smaller all wheel drive van for some of the more remote places we service.

The upfront cost is a lot but compared to modern trucks worth making the switch when the time comes to replace a work truck. Another benefit of the van is the side can be an excellent billboard when you put the company phone number and name along the side.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Oof yeah, if you work IN the van, standing room would be fantastic.

Right now I have work tables I flip out of my truck bed that all my stuff goes on. If I had to fabricate things on the fly more often, I'd definitely want the tall enclosed space. Slap an exhaust fan on there and good to go.

I imagine it's great for cold days and rainy days, too...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Lmfao at "2,000 lb monstrosity" sir, my Miata weighs 2339 lbs. 2k lbs is featherweight. Pray I never get hit by a cyber truck.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

My work truck only clocks in at 1700. I might hit 2100 when I've got myself and all my tools loaded up.

I legitimately think my truck would break in half if it got hit by an EV.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Lol a Chevy from the 90s. Back before someone ripped a huge line of coke and went "but what if we made them BIGGER?!"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

"I like to ride higher so I can see"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

You should look at importing a kei truck from Japan. They're tiny little things but the bed is still about the same size as an American pickup. They're cheap too, including any extra import fees, still less than a truck here, I think like $10,000 total. And if you like working on cars, it seems like it'd be fun to convert to an EV.