Australians are driving bigger, heavier, dirtier cars and it’s alarming both climate and road safety experts.
A decade ago, sedans and hatchbacks were the most popular cars in Australia. Today, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and American-style utes dominate new car sales and advertising.
I tow a fully off road van in an old style (ie not American mega truck) Nissan. I have great visibility. Plenty of power and clearance.
I drove a rental Ford Everest sport or something like that today. The blind spots are insane. The height and width are unnecessary. It’s dangerous. It’s shit. It should require a special license (with warnings all over it)
We don’t need American style, embarrassing, emotional support machines to tow our vans.
All we need is appropriate clearance and suspension and enough torque.
My ‘little’ Nissan has those things in buckets. I’ve done plenty of tracks. The old telegraph track. The Cape. On and on.
I can’t wait for this embarrassing, large body panel fashion to pass.
As mine ages, I’ll buy another tow vehicle once this time has passed, and we’re back at sensible sized capable tow vehicles.