this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2024
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Fuck Cars

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[–] IsThisAnAI -4 points 7 months ago (9 children)
[–] chknbwl 16 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (8 children)

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.

[–] IsThisAnAI -5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (6 children)

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.

[–] chknbwl 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

What is being towed so often in your scenario?

no net-positive use-case for the average consumer

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.

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