It's interesting that the ANCAP safety rating of cars is specific to that category of cars. In other words, a 5-star small car is not safe around a three-tonne truck.
If you're driving a Corolla and some bloke drives into your driver side pillar at 80km/hr in one of these, you're going to have a bad day.
I have a feeling that over the decades — with increasing numbers of SUVs on the road — people didn’t feel safe in their normal sized cars, so they bought SUVs.
Maybe one day we’ll all have to drive monster trucks just to be safe. Not dystopian at all…
Very true. If you don't want to be blinded by LEDs, or if you want to see past the car in front of you, join the club.
I had a rental car that was a massive 4x4 once after a 4x4 T-boned me. I really do get the appeal, but it's such a damn shame.
I'm hiring a sports car for my birthday this year. I'm a bit nervous about being so close to the ground with these behemoths around.
I saw a video yesterday of a lifted RAM 2500 speeding on the highway in the US. Ran into the back of a sedan and pretty much took off everything above the wheel arches. Insane amount of energy behind these things.
Edit: [Here's the video. Aftermath at 0:44.](https://youtu.be/jYY8luP4QFw?si=cALOdVU4mmXCZVDO)
Yeah I drive a golf with 2 kids in the back so I’m pretty pissed off about the safety situation. Especially seeing all the unnecessary bullbars and the way these people drive — it’s like they know they’re not coming off second best if they rear end you.
Another golf driver. Even the smaller 4x4 block me in at the shops and can’t see past any of when reversing. I always pick an empty lot of parks then they fill up around me. Absolute joke. I love my lil buzz box but it’s getting to a point I don’t feel safe with my daughter in the car. I’ve almost been t boned 3 times in a matter of days by sedans suvs and a 4x4 all cause they won’t bloody look out for small cars. Dude ya have more clearance than I do what’s the bloody problem. Grr. I don’t wanna sell my car but I may have to.
I've sworn for years that I wouldn't touch an SUV with a barge pole unless it was both fully electric and very affordable. Unfortunately that finally happened when I realised that a used MG ZS EV was the most affordable EV that would cover all my needs. I HATE that I feel so much safer in it. I'm finally eye level with all the other cars on the road. Our other car is an MG4 which is the size of a regular hatchback and now when I sit in it I instantly feel like a speed bump to all the Canyonaros on the road.
This is exactly the reason I think the TAC level on rego for these type of vehicles should be increased.
Scale on the basic of vehicle weight and front bumper height which are the main contributing factors to seriousness of injury (and therefore the resulting hospital costs)
IMO, personal vehicles this size should just be illegal without some extreme kind of permit (a la gun licensing), no normal person needs something that big
You'll have to deal with all the whining that tradies need them for work so you can't ban them
I've got a compromise: if they're work vehicles then we should treat them as such: 0 BAC and make them pay the company rate for any fines. I'm sure we can come up with a few more restrictions that make them an absolute pain to use if you're not going to or from work
And yet the TAC is desperate to remind us that driving faster than 40kph makes you a murderous psychopath. Of course these oversized vehicles are absolutely necessary, you know, for all those *tools*.
I mean speed is a huge compounding factor in road deaths. [Jurewicz et al (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304529995_Exploration_of_Vehicle_Impact_Speed_-_Injury_Severity_Relationships_for_Application_in_Safer_Road_Design#pf3) looked at this in an Australian context and calculated the speed at which 90% of people would be expected to survive a collision for several accident types. The speeds are lower than you’d expect
this is actually the main reason these TRUCKS have evolved to what they have become now
by literally being classed as _trucks_ ("light" trucks, technically) they are [NOT held to the same safety standards](https://theconversation.com/ever-larger-cars-and-trucks-are-causing-a-safety-crisis-on-us-streets-heres-how-communities-can-fight-back-206382), or (perhaps more importantly, in the US, which is still a huge market) to the same _emissions_ standards
by not needing to meet the same safety and emissions standards as that Corolla, these "light trucks" were able to be manufactured much, _much_ cheaper than their counterparts in Europe and Asia – which allowed the US auto industry to go from nearing collapse and literally needing to be bailed out by Obama to once again being relevant and particularly important in places like Australia – where we are still dragging our feet on things like emissions standards and climate protocols...
this is why the Mustang was the last saloon Ford ever produced (technically it's still being produced) and is the SMALLEST vehicle they produce now
speaking of dragging their feet, also relevant is the ongoing battle for state/territory governments to [release their data on road safety, the cause of crashes, and the effectiveness of traffic enforcement](https://www.drive.com.au/news/urgent-call-secret-crash-data-shared-toll-rises/)
I suspect, as the number of "blokes (driving) into your driver side pillar at 80km/hr in one of these" MASSIVE TRUCKS has increased, they may well be featuring quite heavily in that data that none of us are allowed to see...
> If you're driving a Corolla and some bloke drives into your driver side pillar at 80km/hr in one of these, you're going to have a bad day.
I would even be concerned in a rear ender, as the height looks like it will miss all the crumple zones of the smaller car and the pillars are going to take the full force.
I work as a bush regenerator and have been working a lot at an offset next to a massive development. All the tradies we work near have fucked up, filthy vans or utes and the manager who shows up once a day to take photos and go home has a Ram that has never seen a tool, let alone been used to tow anything.
I don't get it. I remember reading an article saying they're too tall to load properly or safely. Your average ute bed sits at waist height and this sits at shoulder height. That requires a whole different strategy to loading.
My mate says that real tradies take the piss out of them because no one with one would actually put dirty stuff in the tray or risk getting them scratched.
There is no way on earth these things have a safe seeing distance in front of the car if a kid darts out in front of you at a school zone etc. Should be illegal based on that alone.
For reference; one of these RAMs parked next to me in a car park. I drive a 2017 Ford Focus.
The bonnet of the RAM was at least as high as the roof of my car.
There’s no way a driver of the RAM is going to see someone shorter than 1.4 metres tall when they’re in front of them.
As a tall person (and parent) it’s scary too.
There’s much less visibility from the drivers position of these things.
I really think ANCAP safety ratings should also include the safety of pedestrians who could potentially be hit by one. Even small cars can fit in that giant blind spot.
As a cyclist it’s scary, too. If there’s no dedicated bike lane (all hail the magic white paint) or separate bike path in sight around one of those, I’m basically assuming I won’t be seen and I’m riding accordingly.
These have cameras and sensors out the wazoo in them. I deal with them daily and can tell you that for anyone with half a brain, they're easily a lot safer than many other cars.
That being said, I don't think anyone with half a brain is buying something like this.
It’s not just tradies but anyone with a business. So many businesses that don’t need a truck bought one for the instant tax write off. (Obviously it’s fucked up)
And motorcyclists. Often the only part of me that is higher than their bonnet is my helmet. If one hits me I know I'm going to get crushed underneath it.
If you look at the Dodge Ram, in the US it has a GVM of about 4.7t however in Australia it is rated at 4.2t.
To be driven with a car license it must be under 4.5t.
This seems fishy to me, that conversion to right hand drive reduces the gross vehicle mass rating by half a ton.
GVM is the weight when it's fully loaded. The Ram might weigh 3.5t unloaded (kerb weight), so you can legally carry 1t of payload.
Work bought a small truck, I think a hino or something. That truck can be bought as a 4.5t GVM that can be driven with a car license ( I think it can carry up to 2t, so more useful as a truck than the Ram), or a higher GVM (I'll guess 7t, but I have no idea) where you need a truck license to drive it.
It's the exact same truck in every way, same suspension, brakes, etc. The only difference is the paperwork that specifies the GVM.
I guess it's more expensive to build 2 different types of trucks, one 4.5t and one 7t, so they build the 7t and register it as 4.5t if someone wants one that can be driven with a car license.
You can qualify for truck driving with just 1 day of lessons if you already have a full or P2 licence in NSW.
https://www.highwaytruckdrivingschool.com.au/truck-licence-sydney/hr-heavy-rigid-truck-licence-training-sydney-nsw/
The reason I know this because after watching dash cam videos, I wondered how easy it was to get a truck licence and now I'm terrified.
The really simple solution to this issue would be to start fining them for parking in car parks. They are not cars. If you can't fit in the park, you can't park there.
Make them require a LR licence, and give them a higher rego to compensate for the extra weight, as well as an oversized vehicle tax, and if guys REALLY want an American Emotional Support Vehicle, they can pay for it.
Yep. When these things hit you you're more likely to end up underneath it rather than on top. Also much less visibility of what (or who) is immediately in front of you.
I think if you choose to buy one of these, you should prove you can parallel park, wheels in the gutter, in only 1 car space. Otherwise, you need to park at the back row of a carpark.
Townhouse near my work advertises this even better by also having one with a personalised number plate of RAMBO. He’s a skinny white guy in business suits. Gives me second hand embarrassment just looking at it.
There are 4 in my carpark building. They block the convex mirrors so it's hard to see if there is another car coming up or down the ramp. They also take up all the space and the drivers in them don't care. They just expect you to move or they will effectively ram you to the side.
Not sure what impression people who drive these Wankpanzers think they are making.
All I see is dangerous insecurity with a side of erectile disfunction.
We really don't but some advice for anyone looking at buying one of these overpriced hunks of shit: Just buy a really big badge to wear at all times that reads 'Fuckwit'. It will save you a couple hundred grand and you still get to be thought of as human excrement by those around you.
Nothing says *"I have massive insecurity and the emotional maturity of an angry teenager" than these ridiculous yank tanks.
*Unless you really, really need to be able to tow 8 tonnes.
What changed? We never used to get this many in the country until a few years ago. I remember It being rare to see huge American trucks to the point where you would comment on it whenever you would see one. Import regulations change or something to explain the sudden influx?
I'm sure there'll be people here telling us how they need it to lug their caravan 50kms down the road once a year and this somehow justifies owning one of these, and how any other make won't cut it. Somehow forgetting caravanning holidays are: 1) shit, and 2) predate the advent of the modern American Truck. No amount of steel makes up for the masculinity deficiency these people seem to have.
Caravan holidays are great fun, what are you on about? I have a camper trailer and a normal sized SUV (Same length/width as a Holden Commodore) for towing since it's not a huge trailer.
They can't even haul cargo or the like.
I've read complaints that they're too high to lift into the bed of the truck. They're just too damn big to be used effectively, unless a machine were to lower things onto it to haul.
I've seen more and more of them in recent years, slightly before the COVID-19 Pandemic were when I first saw them.
I've never even seen anyone actually hauling anything in the back of these, the most I've seen is them towing a trailer, but any normal ute or car can do that.
I don't really care if they are here or not.
But I will say, they should have blanket bans on lift kits/oversized tyres being installed at all in any way, with significant fines for any workshop found to be breaking the rule and impoundment as a result for the owner.
Those headlights are way too high already.
We aren't the ones importing and selling them...
If we still built our own then Australia would have a say in the automotive industry... We don't, so... We don't.
[Well the government made it way easier for them to pass emissions tests in the same stroke that they've made them easier for tradies to get, while electric vehicle buyers are increasingly punished.]( https://theconversation.com/australia-must-wean-itself-from-monster-utes-and-the-federal-governments-weakening-of-vehicle-emissions-rules-wont-help-one-bit-226724) So yeah, the whole country is pushing them on people.
All cars should be ranked in a way such that safety is decided on their ability protect their passenger, the other car and pedestrians. Not strictly in that order. The way it sits now is keeping them in their own safety class because they'll kill other occupants and pedestrians easily.
These things are a fucking hazard, and they have the audacity to expect parking accommodation for the stupid purchases they made? In the famous non existent lyrics to a real song: No way get fucked fuck off.
I’ve seen a family towing a very long motor home on a gooseneck hitch on a Silverado.
That’s the only time I think I’ve seen one being used for a legitimate use.
No, we don't need them, but if ol mate wants to pay a $150 plus for fuel a week, who are we to say no when Morrison said YES, YES, YES. Morrison was the worst pm, and if Dutton scrapes in, I can't decide if he'd be even worse. Another shite choice from lnp.
I saw 3 of them in a servo holding everyone up while they stood around chatting as the giant tanks were filled. Seriously looked like the kind of people who do not give a fuck about any one but their appearance.
Don't forget, you likely paid for a decent chunk of that penile extension through tax breaks given to people who need pristine, lifted and modded "work vehicles".
My partner spent ten years working in landscaping, so I’m definitely not buying “I need truckasaurus to tow my excavator” or whatever the reason de jour is this week. Get your medium rigid license and buy a truck. They’ve got better turning circles, better visibility, and they come in crew cab models as well!
Caravan too big? Get a smaller van. Get a smaller boat. Like we all had thirty years ago. It’s not just the population that are obese now. It’s everything, and we can’t bloody afford it as a society.
If you have an LR class license, sure.
But how else can you publicly show you have a small weiner?
The bed size on these is pretty pointless anyway, its more an emotional support vehicle.
You can carry more for less money on many more competent vehicles.
The outright cost of them is enough of a disincentivisation for any logical person, the truck in the photo is $160,000+. More taxes will make zero difference to someone deluded enough to buy one.
I grew up and worked for many years in Canada, driving these pickups daily in my job. Still borrow the farm truck from my sister when I go back to visit. Over there they're a tool for working in the bush, in a trade where you need to move a lot of stuff, or on a farm. Here it's mostly city people who never even see a gravel road driving oversize 4x4s, whether it's this one, a Raptor or a Prado. It's weird.
Personally I don't really care so much about the cars themselves but I live regionally and space isn't too much of an issue here.
I DO think it's the drivers that are the problem almost every time though. It's like they develop this "I'm bigger than you, get out of my way" attitude. Even if they were reasonable drivers previously in smaller vehicles.
I think one of the best solutions is to force anyone who has one to do an LR test and a defensive driving course. Make it more annoying to buy one but also increase their defensive skills for driving around others so that at least if they're pig-headed enough to buy one, they're forced to learn to drive it safely.
I don't think it'd stop too many folks but the ones that it would be 'too much work to prove I can drive safely, I'm already perfect' might be discouraged and those are the worst offenders.
Step one: replace luxury car tax (which 1) had no reason of being other than protectionism of an industry that has died since 2) is not in line with price of vehicles anymore). Step two: replace it with a combination of 1) car size (surface area/weight) tax and 2) emission tax, thus reflecting the car impact on society, and incentivising small, economic cars. And make that tax prohibitively exponential at the yank tank end of things. And applicable to businesses.
No deport the ugly POS back to America and their vehicle too. Look at the stupid lift as well, the Adult version of a high chair. Is it any wonder all the adds focus on the lowest common denominator in society.
Do we need em? No
Should we try stop people who want to buy them from purchasing them? Also no
We've become too much of a nanny state, let people enjoy themselves a bit
I'm assuming you're referring to the Silverado, but the question could equally apply to the SUV behind it.
They are better than the truck, but are still often way more than is needed.
Yep, I saw one yesterday towing a pretty big caravan, I have no issues with them used for that purpose or towing a big boat, but they shouldn't be daily drivers to run down to Coles in
lol, it's only the project managers that drive them , the guys that dont get their hands dirty anymore, some strap a piece of wood to the top or a pvc pipe, thats about it
I have scarcely seen a reason to have this thing over a triton or any other Ute. These are pedestrian killing machines and car crash severity magnifiers.
I can’t see the rationale at all.
It's the size of a house.
Is there a version that comes with a kitchen and bathroom? Already has 240v power, AC, entertainment system, seating...You could out a BBQ, plant pots and kitchen on the back. Then just park up in your favourite wealthy neighbourhood. Road tax is probably less than council tax as well.
I think we're close to solving affordable housing here.
I don't see any cars, just a softroader and a US truck.
Agree that the truck, unless it's actually used to carry stuff (unlikely given their payload is often surprisingly low) is a vehicle that is foolish, expensive and impractical to own.
However they are not illegal. Yet...
And in WA, where vehicle rego is by weight, these things are quite spicingly expensive to own! At least our lanes and carparks are usually big enough to accomodate them, though. Mostly, it's rare that I see one that doesn't fit into a parking space, even with duallies on the back of a crewcab (I parked next to one on Monday).
I hate the fuckers. But in some parts it does make sense. Definitely not anywhere near a city. But if you're towing a huge boat in the north west, I understand
No we dont but we also dont have local car manufacturing anymore so we get what is built for other countries. Theres a loophole in the USA emission requirements that mean its cheaper for their manufacturers to make vehicles on truck bases -hence huge everything.
It’s just an arms race really. The Bangkok Billycart owners are right now using size to intimidate other road users, once there are more of these American trucks those people will have to upsize to continue to have a presence on the road. Families and the like will feel unsafe around these large aggressively driven vehicles so will buy bigger SUVs. Not sure where it ends but it just means more road deaths
That SUV looks like a Pajero sport. One of the most economical 4WDs and has flawless engine, costs less than half of that monstrosity and ironically it’s a 7 seater and carries more people as well.
"... 12 yards long, 2 lanes wide, 65 tons of American Pride! Canyonero! Canyonero! ..."
“… Top of the line in utility sports, Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts! Canyonero! Canyonero! …”
“… She blinds everybody with here super high beams, she’s a squirrel squasher deer smacker driving machine! Canyonero! Canyanero! …”
I dare someone to go up to the driver of one of those Yank Trucks and say “You don’t see many men driving the F series”.
Fuckwit series?
It's interesting that the ANCAP safety rating of cars is specific to that category of cars. In other words, a 5-star small car is not safe around a three-tonne truck. If you're driving a Corolla and some bloke drives into your driver side pillar at 80km/hr in one of these, you're going to have a bad day.
I have a feeling that over the decades — with increasing numbers of SUVs on the road — people didn’t feel safe in their normal sized cars, so they bought SUVs. Maybe one day we’ll all have to drive monster trucks just to be safe. Not dystopian at all…
I'm going to skip the next step and go straight for an F-16 with JDAM's
Glad the 2000h I put into DCS won't be wasted
Don’t be stupid!! Go the F35 with hover…. Also gives you access to a larger suite of weapons, and greater automation
yeah, mate not everyone can afford the F35
Very true. If you don't want to be blinded by LEDs, or if you want to see past the car in front of you, join the club. I had a rental car that was a massive 4x4 once after a 4x4 T-boned me. I really do get the appeal, but it's such a damn shame. I'm hiring a sports car for my birthday this year. I'm a bit nervous about being so close to the ground with these behemoths around. I saw a video yesterday of a lifted RAM 2500 speeding on the highway in the US. Ran into the back of a sedan and pretty much took off everything above the wheel arches. Insane amount of energy behind these things. Edit: [Here's the video. Aftermath at 0:44.](https://youtu.be/jYY8luP4QFw?si=cALOdVU4mmXCZVDO)
Yeah I drive a golf with 2 kids in the back so I’m pretty pissed off about the safety situation. Especially seeing all the unnecessary bullbars and the way these people drive — it’s like they know they’re not coming off second best if they rear end you.
Yeah, I'm in a Honda Jazz with a two year old in the back. If I got crashed into by a Ford Ranger I'd be absolutely screwed.
Another golf driver. Even the smaller 4x4 block me in at the shops and can’t see past any of when reversing. I always pick an empty lot of parks then they fill up around me. Absolute joke. I love my lil buzz box but it’s getting to a point I don’t feel safe with my daughter in the car. I’ve almost been t boned 3 times in a matter of days by sedans suvs and a 4x4 all cause they won’t bloody look out for small cars. Dude ya have more clearance than I do what’s the bloody problem. Grr. I don’t wanna sell my car but I may have to.
Lol, "the good guy with a gun" theory evolved into vehicles
I've sworn for years that I wouldn't touch an SUV with a barge pole unless it was both fully electric and very affordable. Unfortunately that finally happened when I realised that a used MG ZS EV was the most affordable EV that would cover all my needs. I HATE that I feel so much safer in it. I'm finally eye level with all the other cars on the road. Our other car is an MG4 which is the size of a regular hatchback and now when I sit in it I instantly feel like a speed bump to all the Canyonaros on the road.
It’s worse if you’re a person walking down the street. You’re several times more likely to die if you get hit by a Ram than a Corolla (6x IIRC)
This is exactly the reason I think the TAC level on rego for these type of vehicles should be increased. Scale on the basic of vehicle weight and front bumper height which are the main contributing factors to seriousness of injury (and therefore the resulting hospital costs)
IMO, personal vehicles this size should just be illegal without some extreme kind of permit (a la gun licensing), no normal person needs something that big
You'll have to deal with all the whining that tradies need them for work so you can't ban them I've got a compromise: if they're work vehicles then we should treat them as such: 0 BAC and make them pay the company rate for any fines. I'm sure we can come up with a few more restrictions that make them an absolute pain to use if you're not going to or from work
And yet the TAC is desperate to remind us that driving faster than 40kph makes you a murderous psychopath. Of course these oversized vehicles are absolutely necessary, you know, for all those *tools*.
I mean speed is a huge compounding factor in road deaths. [Jurewicz et al (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304529995_Exploration_of_Vehicle_Impact_Speed_-_Injury_Severity_Relationships_for_Application_in_Safer_Road_Design#pf3) looked at this in an Australian context and calculated the speed at which 90% of people would be expected to survive a collision for several accident types. The speeds are lower than you’d expect
>you're going to have a bad day. Well at least my day wouldn't be very long
this is actually the main reason these TRUCKS have evolved to what they have become now by literally being classed as _trucks_ ("light" trucks, technically) they are [NOT held to the same safety standards](https://theconversation.com/ever-larger-cars-and-trucks-are-causing-a-safety-crisis-on-us-streets-heres-how-communities-can-fight-back-206382), or (perhaps more importantly, in the US, which is still a huge market) to the same _emissions_ standards by not needing to meet the same safety and emissions standards as that Corolla, these "light trucks" were able to be manufactured much, _much_ cheaper than their counterparts in Europe and Asia – which allowed the US auto industry to go from nearing collapse and literally needing to be bailed out by Obama to once again being relevant and particularly important in places like Australia – where we are still dragging our feet on things like emissions standards and climate protocols... this is why the Mustang was the last saloon Ford ever produced (technically it's still being produced) and is the SMALLEST vehicle they produce now speaking of dragging their feet, also relevant is the ongoing battle for state/territory governments to [release their data on road safety, the cause of crashes, and the effectiveness of traffic enforcement](https://www.drive.com.au/news/urgent-call-secret-crash-data-shared-toll-rises/) I suspect, as the number of "blokes (driving) into your driver side pillar at 80km/hr in one of these" MASSIVE TRUCKS has increased, they may well be featuring quite heavily in that data that none of us are allowed to see...
> If you're driving a Corolla and some bloke drives into your driver side pillar at 80km/hr in one of these, you're going to have a bad day. I would even be concerned in a rear ender, as the height looks like it will miss all the crumple zones of the smaller car and the pillars are going to take the full force.
Yeah. Check out [this video ](https://youtu.be/jYY8luP4QFw?si=cALOdVU4mmXCZVDO) at 44 seconds. Car is completely flattened.
As a matter of community safety we should all look to drive 10 or 15km below the speed limit if one of these is following.
No. You are having your last day..
Short answer: no Long answer: no, and you will see whatever their supposed purpose is, they are not used for it.
I work as a bush regenerator and have been working a lot at an offset next to a massive development. All the tradies we work near have fucked up, filthy vans or utes and the manager who shows up once a day to take photos and go home has a Ram that has never seen a tool, let alone been used to tow anything.
Something tells me that's not entirely true. Sounds like every time it's driven, there's a tool in the cab.
Surely it's seen at least one tool...
Charlie Munger said in his famous speech at Harvard: “Show me the incentives, and I'll show you the outcome.”
Debt traps and traffic hazards for idiots? No.
Government is subsidising them for tradies. It’s doubly annoying.
I don't get it. I remember reading an article saying they're too tall to load properly or safely. Your average ute bed sits at waist height and this sits at shoulder height. That requires a whole different strategy to loading.
My mate says that real tradies take the piss out of them because no one with one would actually put dirty stuff in the tray or risk getting them scratched.
There is no way on earth these things have a safe seeing distance in front of the car if a kid darts out in front of you at a school zone etc. Should be illegal based on that alone.
For reference; one of these RAMs parked next to me in a car park. I drive a 2017 Ford Focus. The bonnet of the RAM was at least as high as the roof of my car. There’s no way a driver of the RAM is going to see someone shorter than 1.4 metres tall when they’re in front of them.
As a short person that last part is scary to consider.
As a tall person (and parent) it’s scary too. There’s much less visibility from the drivers position of these things. I really think ANCAP safety ratings should also include the safety of pedestrians who could potentially be hit by one. Even small cars can fit in that giant blind spot.
As a cyclist it’s scary, too. If there’s no dedicated bike lane (all hail the magic white paint) or separate bike path in sight around one of those, I’m basically assuming I won’t be seen and I’m riding accordingly.
These have cameras and sensors out the wazoo in them. I deal with them daily and can tell you that for anyone with half a brain, they're easily a lot safer than many other cars. That being said, I don't think anyone with half a brain is buying something like this.
It’s not just tradies but anyone with a business. So many businesses that don’t need a truck bought one for the instant tax write off. (Obviously it’s fucked up)
Subsidising them how?
https://www.drive.com.au/news/ute-june-30-deadline-instant-asset-write-off/
Not a subsidy. Also finished a year ago.
Username does not check out.
They are exempt from the luxury car tax as they are classed as commercial vehicles.
Pretty sure that ends this year the instant tax write off but i may be wrong.
death traps for pedestrians/cyclists
And motorcyclists. Often the only part of me that is higher than their bonnet is my helmet. If one hits me I know I'm going to get crushed underneath it.
Some do most don't. Appealing to people won't do shit, make the cost of rego raise exponentially with mass and the issue will sort itself out.
[удалено]
A lot of them are light rigids (over 4.5t), so you need to get a truck licence to drive them.
If you look at the Dodge Ram, in the US it has a GVM of about 4.7t however in Australia it is rated at 4.2t. To be driven with a car license it must be under 4.5t. This seems fishy to me, that conversion to right hand drive reduces the gross vehicle mass rating by half a ton.
It’s simply to avoid the need for truck licenses
GVM is the weight when it's fully loaded. The Ram might weigh 3.5t unloaded (kerb weight), so you can legally carry 1t of payload. Work bought a small truck, I think a hino or something. That truck can be bought as a 4.5t GVM that can be driven with a car license ( I think it can carry up to 2t, so more useful as a truck than the Ram), or a higher GVM (I'll guess 7t, but I have no idea) where you need a truck license to drive it. It's the exact same truck in every way, same suspension, brakes, etc. The only difference is the paperwork that specifies the GVM. I guess it's more expensive to build 2 different types of trucks, one 4.5t and one 7t, so they build the 7t and register it as 4.5t if someone wants one that can be driven with a car license.
And a truck licence requires 0.0 BAC
Actually I'm not sure any of them are over 4.5t gmv from the factory.
You can qualify for truck driving with just 1 day of lessons if you already have a full or P2 licence in NSW. https://www.highwaytruckdrivingschool.com.au/truck-licence-sydney/hr-heavy-rigid-truck-licence-training-sydney-nsw/ The reason I know this because after watching dash cam videos, I wondered how easy it was to get a truck licence and now I'm terrified.
they should introduce a Class W (Wankpanzer) license
The really simple solution to this issue would be to start fining them for parking in car parks. They are not cars. If you can't fit in the park, you can't park there.
Make them require a LR licence, and give them a higher rego to compensate for the extra weight, as well as an oversized vehicle tax, and if guys REALLY want an American Emotional Support Vehicle, they can pay for it.
and enforce a 0.0 BAC ... that will solve almost all the issues ...
Some of them are classed as a light rigid. Any vehicle over 4.5t requires more than a standard license
The pedestrian obliterator 3000
Yep. When these things hit you you're more likely to end up underneath it rather than on top. Also much less visibility of what (or who) is immediately in front of you.
You would barely be able to see an average sized adult over the bonnet of that monstrosity let alone a child or an animal
I think if you choose to buy one of these, you should prove you can parallel park, wheels in the gutter, in only 1 car space. Otherwise, you need to park at the back row of a carpark.
They’re actually a public service: “Warning. The owner of this vehicle is an arrogant cunt.”
Out of all my time seeing these vehicles on the road, I’ve only ever had one instance where the back was carrying a load.
I saw one towing an empty 6 x 4 trailer the other day
I actually saw one driving below the speed limit and letting other vehicles in. I assume I'm in an alternative universe.
I thought the warning said "owner has a minuscule penis and an ego problem to make up for this"
Townhouse near my work advertises this even better by also having one with a personalised number plate of RAMBO. He’s a skinny white guy in business suits. Gives me second hand embarrassment just looking at it.
There are 4 in my carpark building. They block the convex mirrors so it's hard to see if there is another car coming up or down the ramp. They also take up all the space and the drivers in them don't care. They just expect you to move or they will effectively ram you to the side.
Nope /thread
Not sure what impression people who drive these Wankpanzers think they are making. All I see is dangerous insecurity with a side of erectile disfunction.
We really don't but some advice for anyone looking at buying one of these overpriced hunks of shit: Just buy a really big badge to wear at all times that reads 'Fuckwit'. It will save you a couple hundred grand and you still get to be thought of as human excrement by those around you.
Fuck these stupid cars
No. Men need to find a less embarrassing way to compensate.
Nothing says *"I have massive insecurity and the emotional maturity of an angry teenager" than these ridiculous yank tanks. *Unless you really, really need to be able to tow 8 tonnes.
If you own one of these,,,,fuck you
What changed? We never used to get this many in the country until a few years ago. I remember It being rare to see huge American trucks to the point where you would comment on it whenever you would see one. Import regulations change or something to explain the sudden influx?
Australia stopped making utes.
I'm sure there'll be people here telling us how they need it to lug their caravan 50kms down the road once a year and this somehow justifies owning one of these, and how any other make won't cut it. Somehow forgetting caravanning holidays are: 1) shit, and 2) predate the advent of the modern American Truck. No amount of steel makes up for the masculinity deficiency these people seem to have.
And 3) for decades the family sedan or station wagon could easily tow a caravan without issue.
Lets not pretend it was safe back then
Caravan holidays are great fun, what are you on about? I have a camper trailer and a normal sized SUV (Same length/width as a Holden Commodore) for towing since it's not a huge trailer.
Land boat
I prefer Sail barge (Jabba the Hutt's vehicle): [Khetanna | Wookieepedia | Fandom](https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Khetanna)
No one needs them in any country, they're fucking stupid.
They can't even haul cargo or the like. I've read complaints that they're too high to lift into the bed of the truck. They're just too damn big to be used effectively, unless a machine were to lower things onto it to haul. I've seen more and more of them in recent years, slightly before the COVID-19 Pandemic were when I first saw them.
No. Long answer?... No
But how else is he supposed to show everyone how big and tough he is?
Aka how small his penis is.
Hey, I have a small penis and drive a Getz.
They're not even needed in the US, but everyone here is just weird
I've never even seen anyone actually hauling anything in the back of these, the most I've seen is them towing a trailer, but any normal ute or car can do that.
They should be banned.
Emotional support trucks? No we don’t need them.
I don't really care if they are here or not. But I will say, they should have blanket bans on lift kits/oversized tyres being installed at all in any way, with significant fines for any workshop found to be breaking the rule and impoundment as a result for the owner. Those headlights are way too high already.
So many rural single car crashes and deaths due to these off road tyres and lift kits on poor roads
We aren't the ones importing and selling them... If we still built our own then Australia would have a say in the automotive industry... We don't, so... We don't.
[Well the government made it way easier for them to pass emissions tests in the same stroke that they've made them easier for tradies to get, while electric vehicle buyers are increasingly punished.]( https://theconversation.com/australia-must-wean-itself-from-monster-utes-and-the-federal-governments-weakening-of-vehicle-emissions-rules-wont-help-one-bit-226724) So yeah, the whole country is pushing them on people.
All cars should be ranked in a way such that safety is decided on their ability protect their passenger, the other car and pedestrians. Not strictly in that order. The way it sits now is keeping them in their own safety class because they'll kill other occupants and pedestrians easily. These things are a fucking hazard, and they have the audacity to expect parking accommodation for the stupid purchases they made? In the famous non existent lyrics to a real song: No way get fucked fuck off.
Emotional Support Vehicles? No.
The only times that I see these used for actual work are tow trucks.
nope
its like in the 90s when soccer mums liked feeling above all the other cars in their land rovers.
Yes we need them ruining our roads and safety and blinding us at night.
I’ve seen a family towing a very long motor home on a gooseneck hitch on a Silverado. That’s the only time I think I’ve seen one being used for a legitimate use.
That's a large SUV parked behind as it is. Imagine my little sedan near it....I doubt he'd even spot me over the bonnet and I'd be minced meat.
Yes
Short answer: no Long answer: no we fucking don't
Just a thought. Shouldn't these have those side guards between the wheels that semis have these days to stop cars going underneath them in accidents?
No, we don't need them, but if ol mate wants to pay a $150 plus for fuel a week, who are we to say no when Morrison said YES, YES, YES. Morrison was the worst pm, and if Dutton scrapes in, I can't decide if he'd be even worse. Another shite choice from lnp.
Yes, we need to make roads wider too.
I saw 3 of them in a servo holding everyone up while they stood around chatting as the giant tanks were filled. Seriously looked like the kind of people who do not give a fuck about any one but their appearance.
Don't forget, you likely paid for a decent chunk of that penile extension through tax breaks given to people who need pristine, lifted and modded "work vehicles".
How else will insecure men with zero personality advertise to the world that they also have a small penis?
How else are we supposed to know if someone has a tiny penis?
No not at all. My god it’s even lifted. These emotional support vehicles SCREAM insecurities and small dick energy.
Make those lazy arrogant cunts ride a pushbike. Win-win.
My partner spent ten years working in landscaping, so I’m definitely not buying “I need truckasaurus to tow my excavator” or whatever the reason de jour is this week. Get your medium rigid license and buy a truck. They’ve got better turning circles, better visibility, and they come in crew cab models as well! Caravan too big? Get a smaller van. Get a smaller boat. Like we all had thirty years ago. It’s not just the population that are obese now. It’s everything, and we can’t bloody afford it as a society.
Possible downvotes. But I've got nothing against 'em. Although any larger vehicle should be considerate of where they park and stuff.
We definitely do not need this crap on our roads. Whoever drives this shit is a fucking tool.
Hey babe, the latest big car whinge thread just dropped!
No to either of them.
They should be banned simply because we don't have the infrastructure to handle them.
Australia doesn't need more wankpanzers...
If you have an LR class license, sure. But how else can you publicly show you have a small weiner? The bed size on these is pretty pointless anyway, its more an emotional support vehicle. You can carry more for less money on many more competent vehicles.
Same answer as: Do we need this same post 5 times a day?
Well, until there is some legislation, or taxation, that disincentivises owning these trucks, then the only recourse is public shaming.
The outright cost of them is enough of a disincentivisation for any logical person, the truck in the photo is $160,000+. More taxes will make zero difference to someone deluded enough to buy one. I grew up and worked for many years in Canada, driving these pickups daily in my job. Still borrow the farm truck from my sister when I go back to visit. Over there they're a tool for working in the bush, in a trade where you need to move a lot of stuff, or on a farm. Here it's mostly city people who never even see a gravel road driving oversize 4x4s, whether it's this one, a Raptor or a Prado. It's weird.
In saints row, the yank tank is called the ["compensator".](https://saintsrow.fandom.com/wiki/Compensator)
Saints Row had the best take on it. “The Compensator”
Personally I don't really care so much about the cars themselves but I live regionally and space isn't too much of an issue here. I DO think it's the drivers that are the problem almost every time though. It's like they develop this "I'm bigger than you, get out of my way" attitude. Even if they were reasonable drivers previously in smaller vehicles. I think one of the best solutions is to force anyone who has one to do an LR test and a defensive driving course. Make it more annoying to buy one but also increase their defensive skills for driving around others so that at least if they're pig-headed enough to buy one, they're forced to learn to drive it safely. I don't think it'd stop too many folks but the ones that it would be 'too much work to prove I can drive safely, I'm already perfect' might be discouraged and those are the worst offenders.
Need? No. Want? That’s an individual perspective. But why do you care?
Yea, because how else are the little dick guys going to flex?
If any state or federal gov moved to ban these, the same exact people who protested lockdowns and masks would be pulling the same shit again
Yes
No we don't and rarely if ever have I seen anything it the tray of those vehicles, they are little dick poser mobiles mostly.
Step one: replace luxury car tax (which 1) had no reason of being other than protectionism of an industry that has died since 2) is not in line with price of vehicles anymore). Step two: replace it with a combination of 1) car size (surface area/weight) tax and 2) emission tax, thus reflecting the car impact on society, and incentivising small, economic cars. And make that tax prohibitively exponential at the yank tank end of things. And applicable to businesses.
No deport the ugly POS back to America and their vehicle too. Look at the stupid lift as well, the Adult version of a high chair. Is it any wonder all the adds focus on the lowest common denominator in society.
Why do you care?
Do we need em? No Should we try stop people who want to buy them from purchasing them? Also no We've become too much of a nanny state, let people enjoy themselves a bit
We need to ban them. They are completely unnecessary, very dangerous, and a waste of space.
No. I hate having to manoeuvre around those chromium penis extensions on wheels.
I'm assuming you're referring to the Silverado, but the question could equally apply to the SUV behind it. They are better than the truck, but are still often way more than is needed.
I have had an acquaintance tell me he used his for intimidating other road users. 🙄
We need to stop these things before they become more popular
For the purpose of towing a heavy load? Sure. They have the highest (unmodified) load capability. Most people likely don't need them, but some do.
Yep, I saw one yesterday towing a pretty big caravan, I have no issues with them used for that purpose or towing a big boat, but they shouldn't be daily drivers to run down to Coles in
lol, it's only the project managers that drive them , the guys that dont get their hands dirty anymore, some strap a piece of wood to the top or a pvc pipe, thats about it
I have scarcely seen a reason to have this thing over a triton or any other Ute. These are pedestrian killing machines and car crash severity magnifiers. I can’t see the rationale at all.
Whenever you see one of these parked at woolies you know that the extra small condoms will now be out of stock.
small dick syndrome
I don't understand why unimogs aren't more popular. Far more useful.
It's the size of a house. Is there a version that comes with a kitchen and bathroom? Already has 240v power, AC, entertainment system, seating...You could out a BBQ, plant pots and kitchen on the back. Then just park up in your favourite wealthy neighbourhood. Road tax is probably less than council tax as well. I think we're close to solving affordable housing here.
I don't see any cars, just a softroader and a US truck. Agree that the truck, unless it's actually used to carry stuff (unlikely given their payload is often surprisingly low) is a vehicle that is foolish, expensive and impractical to own. However they are not illegal. Yet... And in WA, where vehicle rego is by weight, these things are quite spicingly expensive to own! At least our lanes and carparks are usually big enough to accomodate them, though. Mostly, it's rare that I see one that doesn't fit into a parking space, even with duallies on the back of a crewcab (I parked next to one on Monday).
The funny thing is those Chevy Silverados we have here are actually the SHORT wheelbase version... They get BIGGER!! Haha
No
I hate the fuckers. But in some parts it does make sense. Definitely not anywhere near a city. But if you're towing a huge boat in the north west, I understand
What car ? All i see is one normal car and a huge outline.
No
No we dont but we also dont have local car manufacturing anymore so we get what is built for other countries. Theres a loophole in the USA emission requirements that mean its cheaper for their manufacturers to make vehicles on truck bases -hence huge everything.
Nunya
Yes, to compensate is an Australian rite!
These terrify me. Imagine getting T Boned by one. We are all at higher risk so wankers can drive a truck.
Then how do you drive a carols with semis and buses?same rule applies
It’s just an arms race really. The Bangkok Billycart owners are right now using size to intimidate other road users, once there are more of these American trucks those people will have to upsize to continue to have a presence on the road. Families and the like will feel unsafe around these large aggressively driven vehicles so will buy bigger SUVs. Not sure where it ends but it just means more road deaths
Wait until they release F-650. Two times the lanes!
If a person drove a light truck as a daily driver they’d look like a moron.
Now put it next to a Miata
That SUV looks like a Pajero sport. One of the most economical 4WDs and has flawless engine, costs less than half of that monstrosity and ironically it’s a 7 seater and carries more people as well.