I’ve used huge trucks for bush work. Like we’re talking going mudding just to get to work. This line of work basically put me in the position that is the subject of commercials that try to convince suburban dads that they need a huge truck in case one day their family goes on a fictional camping trip to the middle of a swamp.
Anyways, you know what I learned? These fucking things suck at off-roading.
They have shit visibility. You sometimes need to get out of the truck to see around corners, especially if you’re cresting steep hills
They have a dangerously high center of gravity (I saw a bunch of coworkers roll theirs) that is only amplified if you carry large loads in their truck beds
Over-complicated features like traction control will actually kill your power if you’re doing some technical driving, which will make you get stuck when you don’t need to
There’s no good reason for these pieces of shit to exist.
This line of work basically put me in the position that is the subject of commercials that try to convince suburban dads that they need a huge truck in case one day their family goes on a fictional camping trip to the middle of a swamp.
This is so on point.
So many defenders go, “It helped when I had to haul shit to the dump” or “I bring wood back to build my shed”.
What about the other 95% of the year? Because I rent a van to move shit and I’m happy taking the bus.
Or do what I did and pay cash for a beat up old truck to do those things with. Mine didn’t even have a radio, the heat barely worked, but it hauled hog feed and garbage well enough. And I wasn’t paying a grand a month in a car payment and insurance.
Not to mention they don’t even fucking fit in off-road situations half the time. Unless you’re in a wide open field or have giant cleared roads (in which case why do you need an ultimate off-road machineTM), most off-road situations in the eastern US are going to involve trees. Try driving around trees in that thing and you’ll be stuck in a matter of minutes.
For all the actual off road work I’ve done, the best vehicle has always been those little utility off-road vehicles (we call them mules or gators but I’m sure they have a real name) or just a regular-sized pickup truck with 4 wheel drive and low gears.
For all the actual off road work I’ve done, the best vehicle has always been those little utility off-road vehicles (we call them mules or gators but I’m sure they have a real name) or just a regular-sized pickup truck with 4 wheel drive and low gears.
UTVs, side by sides, i’ve seen stuff like that used to refer to them in a more generic manner, shockingly those are so good primarily because they weigh nothing and have comparatively huge tires with way more surface area, while also having equivalent power if not more, just due to the size.
Get a properly sized pickup truck covered in dings and scratches showing you actually utilize the thing. Your penis is huge and you’ve got balls of steel! A paragon of masculinity!
My uncle did a four wheel driving day in his Subaru Forrester one time and it could climb hills others couldn’t because it was so light.
I’ve also heard stories of farmers with tiny 4x4s like a Suzuki Jimny using them during floods because they don’t sink in the mud like the massive ones do
I prefer driving smaller cars in heavy snow because they’re light enough to sit on top and not get bogged down. Back when I had a commute in my tiny little Scion xA I’d drive by bro-dozers and SUVs stuck in the snow thinking their four-wheel drive would save them from being idiots.
Anyways, you know what I learned? These fucking things suck at off-roading.
no shit, they’re running live axle suspension, no amount of lift kit is going to get your diff case unstuck from the mud LMAO.
Doesn’t help that these idiots also put small tires on big rims to get that bafflingly stupid look on them, which lowers the ride quality, and lowers the axle even more.
I’m convinced you have to be brain damaged to own a bro dozer, let alone think an f150 with live axles can get around in mud. Bro almost nothing can, a humvee might do it, but it’s also literally built to do it. It’s got full independent suspension, nice large tires with high sidewalls, portal axles for increased clearance. It’s got a low cab, set next to the engine and transmission (that’s why they’re so wide) They’re short, so they can get around trees and shit and likewise have a low CG.
And f150 looks like it was built to be a parody of a hummer, and it’s no surprise that they drive and handle like shit as a result.
I volunteered driving ambulances. Started in high school, 2003-2004. Our rigs at the time were a '97 Chevy van with a box and a '99 F250 with a box. They were the biggest things I’d driven at the time.
Moved away, did life, came back a decade later. Newest rigs were now 2015 F450 Super Duty with a box you could legit stand up in. Thing was unnecessarily large. All the things you’re saying are correct. The rig we purchased while I was there ended up being a slightly larger mod, but came with front, side, and rear cameras, because you’re absolutely right, can’t see shit. Blind spot in the front is legit 10-15 feet from the bumper.
You know what didn’t change in that interim? People’s windy, tiny driveways. I won’t toot my own horn but I’m a good driver, I frequently tell my wife “You could fit a Mac truck through there” when she’s driving and won’t squeeze through a gap. So when it came time to back these rigs up these narrow, curving driveways, up a hill, it was difficult. I’d have my crew get out generally and go begin assessment so I could get the rig in place for takedown. Problem is that I couldn’t drive all the time, and so the rig would frequently get left down on the road. And I don’t blame anyone, they were difficult maneuvers. I knew a few members who outright refused to drive the newer rigs becaude they were so massive, so now we’ve neutered our manpower.
Completely. Give me a light Geländewagen (and I’m talking about the utility version that armies buy, not the blinged up Chelsea tractor version), with triple differential lock and it’ll out-drive these monster trucks any day, on any terrain, pulling the same weight.
There’s no good reason for these pieces of shit to exist.
So did you start taking an old civic to the in-the-bush job site then or what?
Edit: Or a midsize pickup or SUV or something? Helicopter? The down votes here are pretty absurd lol. I’m trying to figure out what vehicle to take to in-the-bush job sites in the future that can better handle the conditions, which the person I replied to specifically pointed out.
Or just a regular sized pickup truck, which I’ve also used for plenty of sites. But honestly I prefer the mules because they hold all the stuff I need for work and can fit through most forest understory. And in the rare chance that you happen to turtle them it’s possible to pull them off/out of whatever they’re stuck on. If you get a giant truck stuck in the mud you’re donezo.
I also took my Toyota Prius to plenty of sites, although I’d never off-road with it when the ground is swampy or sandy it did fine on plenty of rough roads and open fields. I’m sure a Subaru or other small all wheel drive sedan could handle lots of off-road work sites.
Thank you! Makes sense. I think I was sort of misreading your statement initially. And I guess I never really thought about the 350s and aboves useful applications (or lack thereof lol).
I’ll add my Honda Element did surprisingly well for many 1000s of km of rough logging roads once upon a time.
I’ve used huge trucks for bush work. Like we’re talking going mudding just to get to work. This line of work basically put me in the position that is the subject of commercials that try to convince suburban dads that they need a huge truck in case one day their family goes on a fictional camping trip to the middle of a swamp.
Anyways, you know what I learned? These fucking things suck at off-roading.
There’s no good reason for these pieces of shit to exist.
This is so on point.
So many defenders go, “It helped when I had to haul shit to the dump” or “I bring wood back to build my shed”.
What about the other 95% of the year? Because I rent a van to move shit and I’m happy taking the bus.
the marks of a man scared to learn how to tow a trailer because “i don’t know how to do it”
Just use a trailer, it’s not that bad.
Or do what I did and pay cash for a beat up old truck to do those things with. Mine didn’t even have a radio, the heat barely worked, but it hauled hog feed and garbage well enough. And I wasn’t paying a grand a month in a car payment and insurance.
Not to mention they don’t even fucking fit in off-road situations half the time. Unless you’re in a wide open field or have giant cleared roads (in which case why do you need an ultimate off-road machineTM), most off-road situations in the eastern US are going to involve trees. Try driving around trees in that thing and you’ll be stuck in a matter of minutes.
For all the actual off road work I’ve done, the best vehicle has always been those little utility off-road vehicles (we call them mules or gators but I’m sure they have a real name) or just a regular-sized pickup truck with 4 wheel drive and low gears.
UTVs, side by sides, i’ve seen stuff like that used to refer to them in a more generic manner, shockingly those are so good primarily because they weigh nothing and have comparatively huge tires with way more surface area, while also having equivalent power if not more, just due to the size.
But what if I need to believe that others think my penis is bigger than it is? Is there any other way?
Get a properly sized pickup truck covered in dings and scratches showing you actually utilize the thing. Your penis is huge and you’ve got balls of steel! A paragon of masculinity!
A tank.
My uncle did a four wheel driving day in his Subaru Forrester one time and it could climb hills others couldn’t because it was so light.
I’ve also heard stories of farmers with tiny 4x4s like a Suzuki Jimny using them during floods because they don’t sink in the mud like the massive ones do
I prefer driving smaller cars in heavy snow because they’re light enough to sit on top and not get bogged down. Back when I had a commute in my tiny little Scion xA I’d drive by bro-dozers and SUVs stuck in the snow thinking their four-wheel drive would save them from being idiots.
Have you considered the profits of the auto industry?
no shit, they’re running live axle suspension, no amount of lift kit is going to get your diff case unstuck from the mud LMAO.
Doesn’t help that these idiots also put small tires on big rims to get that bafflingly stupid look on them, which lowers the ride quality, and lowers the axle even more.
I’m convinced you have to be brain damaged to own a bro dozer, let alone think an f150 with live axles can get around in mud. Bro almost nothing can, a humvee might do it, but it’s also literally built to do it. It’s got full independent suspension, nice large tires with high sidewalls, portal axles for increased clearance. It’s got a low cab, set next to the engine and transmission (that’s why they’re so wide) They’re short, so they can get around trees and shit and likewise have a low CG.
And f150 looks like it was built to be a parody of a hummer, and it’s no surprise that they drive and handle like shit as a result.
I volunteered driving ambulances. Started in high school, 2003-2004. Our rigs at the time were a '97 Chevy van with a box and a '99 F250 with a box. They were the biggest things I’d driven at the time.
Moved away, did life, came back a decade later. Newest rigs were now 2015 F450 Super Duty with a box you could legit stand up in. Thing was unnecessarily large. All the things you’re saying are correct. The rig we purchased while I was there ended up being a slightly larger mod, but came with front, side, and rear cameras, because you’re absolutely right, can’t see shit. Blind spot in the front is legit 10-15 feet from the bumper.
You know what didn’t change in that interim? People’s windy, tiny driveways. I won’t toot my own horn but I’m a good driver, I frequently tell my wife “You could fit a Mac truck through there” when she’s driving and won’t squeeze through a gap. So when it came time to back these rigs up these narrow, curving driveways, up a hill, it was difficult. I’d have my crew get out generally and go begin assessment so I could get the rig in place for takedown. Problem is that I couldn’t drive all the time, and so the rig would frequently get left down on the road. And I don’t blame anyone, they were difficult maneuvers. I knew a few members who outright refused to drive the newer rigs becaude they were so massive, so now we’ve neutered our manpower.
Completely. Give me a light Geländewagen (and I’m talking about the utility version that armies buy, not the blinged up Chelsea tractor version), with triple differential lock and it’ll out-drive these monster trucks any day, on any terrain, pulling the same weight.
please go send a 0 star review on constructors website.
oh shit you can’t !
So did you start taking an old civic to the in-the-bush job site then or what?
Edit: Or a midsize pickup or SUV or something? Helicopter? The down votes here are pretty absurd lol. I’m trying to figure out what vehicle to take to in-the-bush job sites in the future that can better handle the conditions, which the person I replied to specifically pointed out.
Most useful off-road vehicle I’ve ever driven was a lot like this thing: https://www.offroaderie.com/new-models/kawasaki-side-x-side-mule-sx-2036834140399698232475668
Or just a regular sized pickup truck, which I’ve also used for plenty of sites. But honestly I prefer the mules because they hold all the stuff I need for work and can fit through most forest understory. And in the rare chance that you happen to turtle them it’s possible to pull them off/out of whatever they’re stuck on. If you get a giant truck stuck in the mud you’re donezo.
I also took my Toyota Prius to plenty of sites, although I’d never off-road with it when the ground is swampy or sandy it did fine on plenty of rough roads and open fields. I’m sure a Subaru or other small all wheel drive sedan could handle lots of off-road work sites.
Thank you! Makes sense. I think I was sort of misreading your statement initially. And I guess I never really thought about the 350s and aboves useful applications (or lack thereof lol).
I’ll add my Honda Element did surprisingly well for many 1000s of km of rough logging roads once upon a time.
You dumbass