General Discussion

sop

(19,930 posts)

5. A couple of days ago I stood in front of one of these behemoths in the Publix parking lot.

Mon Jun 22, 2026, 09:35 AM

Jun 22

The grille was so enormous I could barely see the top of the hood, and I'm over 6' tall. It was so long the bed stuck out about six feet from the parking space into the driving aisle. Its mirrors extended about 2' in either direction. The thing was cartoonish, like it wasn't built for the real world. And every year they get bigger.

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Highlight:

The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s [View all] dalton99a Jun 22 OP

And they travel 10-20mph over the speed limit, weigh 3,000 lbs more, bucolic_frolic Jun 22 #1

One silver lining for the Felon's gas prices Jerry2144 Jun 22 #2

Must Read malaise Jun 22 #3

And they block visibility for other motorists Johnny2X2X Jun 22 #4

When you're making a left hand turn across from one these trucks, you cannot see what's coming. Swede Jun 22 #9

I can understand people wanting them for families Johnny2X2X Jun 22 #19

Toyota Prius: 49-57 mpg VMA131Marine Jun 22 #18

Yes and they are built aerodynamic and low TexasBushwhacker Jun 22 #25

I think the 18-Wheelers are going to go electric sooner than later VMA131Marine Tuesday #58

Nevertheless TexasBushwhacker Tuesday #60

Headlights so high they've blinding. Sequoia Jun 22 #36

Hyundai hybrids also get there JT45242 Jun 22 #56

A couple of days ago I stood in front of one of these behemoths in the Publix parking lot. sop Jun 22 #5

Sounds like a RAM truck Ferryboat Jun 22 #20

I live in suburbia where there is no reason for Scrivener7 Jun 22 #6

Every accident and incident I've had seems to have been involved with a Ford F-series truck Tommy Carcetti Jun 22 #7

me sweetapogee Jun 22 #57

Large pickups and S.U.V.s look small from Emile Jun 22 #8

Semis are mostly on freeways and industrial areas, not many pedestrians crossing streets in front of them. Swede Jun 22 #11

I drove one 3,000 miles every week, on Emile Jun 22 #14

18 wheelers are super-sizing too orthoclad Jun 22 #23

Their popularity is based on size. MineralMan Jun 22 #10

With the huge tires and '"peaked chariot" hubcaps bedazzled Jun 22 #27

That's about it. MineralMan Jun 22 #29

I always give them every opportunity to pass me bedazzled Jun 22 #47

Women like driving them too. BannonsLiver Jun 22 #53

I think many people think they're safer to drive. MineralMan Jun 22 #54

Mister Macho Jockstrap... GiqueCee Jun 22 #12

I know a landscaper. He needed a new working truck Scrivener7 Jun 22 #17

All those electronic gimmicks... GiqueCee Jun 22 #34

When I contact a contractor for an estimate, MineralMan Jun 22 #35

I hope you let the contractor whose time you are wasting realizes questionseverything Jun 22 #45

Nope. I won't hire such a contractor. MineralMan Jun 22 #50

LOL - "11 months of snow and 1 month of bad sledding" GenThePerservering Tuesday #61

You're obviously familiar... GiqueCee Tuesday #67

They are freakin' everywhere. Happy Hoosier Jun 22 #13

Add the Carolina squat to the mix ornotna Jun 22 #15

and don't get me started on how trying to back out of a parking space when they're right next to you!!! a kennedy Jun 22 #16

The headlights! Ferryboat Jun 22 #21

And a majority of them also have their fog lamps on too. Emile Jun 22 #43

Another thing about this is the insurance companies. Blue Full Moon Jun 22 #22

It's mostly bad drivers driving vehicles they can't handle. GoCubsGo Jun 22 #24

The old saying "the bigger the pickup the smaller the wang" Clouds Passing Jun 22 #26

I don't have any stats at my fingertips, but I'm willing to bet that the majority of people... 3catwoman3 Jun 22 #28

+1. Their purpose is to impress and intimidate. dalton99a Jun 22 #31

It's the "alpha" display orthoclad Jun 22 #33

And boy are they annoying! ananda Jun 22 #30

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. orthoclad Jun 22 #32

I thought those were bags containing their brains... The Madcap Jun 22 #41

I'm not convinced this explains the worldwide trend. cab67 Jun 22 #37

It's not a global 'worldwide' trend unweird Jun 22 #44

Agree with everyone here Chi67 Jun 22 #38

Smaller SUV's work pretty well for families (even better than most minivans). The Madcap Jun 22 #40

I can understand a pickup if... The Madcap Jun 22 #39

+1. The margin for error is reduced dalton99a Jun 22 #46

From my observation, since the pandemic many careless drivers, of all sizes. question everything Jun 22 #42

Overall behavior has worsened fujiyamasan Tuesday #64

I hate driving in this country now RockCreek Jun 22 #48

My #1 rule as a Pedestrian: they're trying to kill you. maxsolomon Jun 22 #49

That's one place where I will not drive GenThePerservering Tuesday #63

Since the Pandemic, it's much less crowded downtown. maxsolomon Tuesday #65

It *is* better than it was, but still makes me crazy GenThePerservering Tuesday #66

and people refuse to take public transit because it is too "dangerous" DBoon Jun 22 #51

The problem is more than just blind spot and size LogDog75 Jun 22 #52

This is news to these folks? Miguelito Loveless Jun 22 #55

Sometimes when I park in a lot I'll walk by one of the giant pickup trucks and the tailgate will by as high Vinca Tuesday #59

Many, many Americans are over-vehicled...nt Wounded Bear Tuesday #62

Referred to as "Grow-Dozers" in Humboldt County. PufPuf23 Tuesday #68