Gussy’s Blog

So i have developed some pet peeves over the last couple of weeks. Actually since i moved to Golden, or Canada or North America. It is one of the bain’s of my existence, the Truck. I know i have harped on about it before, but just recently i have become vehemently objected to them. The main reason has been the amount of gas they consume. The other is the fact that i ride my bike on the road, and well they are fucking huge and scare the shit out of me. I don’t want to be killed by one. Also the fact that 90% of trucks aren’t needed, IMO.

So i was talking with my flat mate, room mate, what ever you want to call him. Anyhow he is a country Albertan, always had a truck. he had a truck that was falling apart on him. So i told him to get something smaller, seeing he doesn’t actually use the tray part very often, only to collect snow, rocks, rubbish (garbage) etc. He might move the occasional bed or piece of furniture in it too. I was telling him to get something cheaper, and more economic. He was like, no fuck off. I’m buying a truck cause they are cheap to buy now. Never mind the fact that he will Never use the capabilities built into the truck, the 6 billion tonnes that it can carry, etc. So what did he do?

Bought a new truck, never mind the fact that he drives it up a hill every day and parks it, till the end of the day then drives it down. Never mind the fact that gas (petrol) prices are around $1.40/ L currently and going up. Never mind the fact that currently it cost him $120 to fill the tank, which he might be doing 2 times a week. Never mind the fact that it is fucking huge and a waste of money buying new car (I’m surprised people don’t know this by now). Never mind the fact im ranting here!

So you can see, i hate trucks, so much so i would long for the day that the 35mpg/ G or 25L/100km comes in and the fact that they will become extinct. It will take a while, but the more people get rid of them for other vechiles that can actually do the same thing and are more reliable, and cheaper to run the better. Oh i long for that day. 2010 can’t come soon enough on that front!

Why is there a need for trucks in town? I know that Goldenites love their trucks, i however do not. I believe that the carbon tax that has just been introduced by the BC government should also include an extra tax for recreational trucks. If you have a legitimate use for one i.e. business use only. Then that is fine, prove it with tax receipts. The government shouldn’t be going after people that have vehicles that don’t guzzle fuel and pollute like trucks. I don’t believe the argument ”I need it to pull my sled”, is valid. There are many other cars on the road that have a similar pulling power. Do you really need 350hp? Just looking at one company website, which is represented in town. There are at least 2 other viable options that have enough pulling power for a 5th wheel, or your sled. Trucks of the size over here (the west) are much less common over east. Why is that? What do they do with all the same things that ”we” need to pull?

The size of trucks is another thing, they are a hazard on the road to all other users. Trucks with a 6in lift kit and sled deck, whilst looking cool to a minority really are at more danger of tipping over and injuring someone. Have you ever considered what would happen if your truck hit a minivan or passenger vehicle with children in it? If you live out in the Blaeberry or up on the west bench or out of town. Do you need a big truck? I know of lots of people that have SUV’s or all wheel drive cars, which can do just fine getting up and down steep hills. So why the need for a big dirty truck?

I must admit that coming from Australia, one and a half years ago i was shocked at the size of the vehicles. I thought that the US was the only place that had overly large vehicles, I was wrong. I know from personal experience working in the construction industry that trucks like over here, don’t even get sold any more. How often do you need to have anything over 1 tonne (2000 lb’s) on your truck? Not very often i think.

I have come to accept the fact that Golden loves trucks. At the same time, don’t you want to leave this town and environment for your grand children to enjoy as well? Ditch the truck, and get something that you can save money on?