this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2026
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42
Number of US-style pickup trucks on UK roads up 92% in a decade, data shows (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 2 days ago by Valleci@sh.itjust.works to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk
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[–] Zombie@feddit.uk 34 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I despise these shit vehicles so much.

Anything they purport to do a van can do better. Most people have zero requirement for them, the few that do would be better served by a van.

They take up more space than other vehicles on on-street parking, they're so long they stick out onto pavements when parked in many driveways, and they're considerably less safe than a normal car for other car drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Utter shit buckets driven by fragile ego manlets trying to prove their masculinity, in the most unimportant and unimpressive way possible.

[–] Naich@lemmings.world 10 points 2 days ago

Emotional support vehicles.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 1 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Anything they purport to do a van can do better.

There's towing a fifth wheel trailer. Not sure if they're a thing in the UK.

searches

Sounds like it:

https://www.ccrv.co.uk/

CCRV: The Best Name in UK 5th Wheels

Whatever your fifth wheel need, we've got you covered

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravan_(trailer)#Fifth-wheel_trailer

A fifth-wheel is a travel trailer supported by a hitch in the centre of the bed of a pickup truck instead of a hitch at the back of a vehicle. The special hitch used for fifth-wheels is a smaller version of the one used on 18-wheeler trucks and can be connected by simply driving (backing) the tow vehicle under the trailer. Fifth-wheel trailers are popular with full-time recreational vehicle enthusiasts, who often live in them for several months in one place, using their pickup truck tow vehicle for local errands. A fifth-wheel trailer tows more securely than a traditional travel trailer because the hitch weight sits directly over the pickup truck's rear axle or tires. Since part of a fifth wheel sits in the bed of the pickup, it reduces the overall length of the vehicle-and-trailer combination while allowing the same room as a comparable-length travel trailer. Additionally, the hitch's location in the pickup's bed reduces the risk of jackknifing and allows for more maneuverability when backing. Because of the greater room available on the roads in North America, these vehicles are more popular in the United States and Canada than in Europe or other parts of the world. For uneven terrain, a gooseneck hitch is an option for fifth-wheel trailers.[citation needed]

The downside is that the hitch takes up room in the pickup truck's cargo bed regardless of whether the trailer is hitched or not. The hitch can be unbolted from the bed but this takes a lot more time and effort than the unhitch operation.[citation needed]

The largest fifth-wheel trailers are full-size semi-trailers that range from 14.5 to 17.5 m (48 to 57 ft) in length and require an tractor unit as the towing vehicle due to their weight and the use of air brakes.[citation needed]

[–] Zombie@feddit.uk 11 points 2 days ago

These are almost nonexistent in the UK and a very niche requirement which doesn't explain the vast majority of pickup users' choice.

[–] GiveOver@feddit.uk 1 points 2 days ago

That's getting stuck on a mini roundabout 15 seconds into your journey

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 17 points 2 days ago

Never seen one with even a speck of mud on it, meanwhile vans that are better at everything except off road ability are usually far dirtier.

It is always amusing to see people that complain about parking for years then buy a massive car as if that will solve the problem.

[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 11 points 2 days ago

They have become disturbingly common here in Sweden as well.

I would like to put in a motion for a new law, no vehicles can be sold that has a bonnet taller than two thirds of that of the average car's roof height.

I have a 2021 Seat Leon, it's insane to have cars with a bonnet taller than my entire car.

[–] tenebrisnox@feddit.uk 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

In the last 5-10 years our residential road has gone from having normal family cars parked outside houses to pretty much these types of monstrosities and - worse - transit vans. Our Yaris looks like a toy car in comparison to these behemoths! What's worse is the ones who have drives can't fit them so they park in the street.

[–] Denjin@feddit.uk 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What's wrong with a van? They have barely any increased footprint over a standard car (unless it's a long wheel-base) and at least they're practical for those that need it for work. Pickups are bad vehicles to drive, bad vehicles for any form of work (outside of a few very specific things), bad for the environment, bad for pedestrians (especially children) because of the decreased visibility at the front, and bad for other road users because of how much extra space they take up.

[–] tenebrisnox@feddit.uk 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Why aren't the vans parked in commercial car parks or premises? And why do their owners insist on parking them wherever they like (but not their own drives!) without any thought for pedestrians? At the same time, after about 7pm it becomes almost impossible to find a parking space largely because of the sheer number of vans. I'm not talking about the little white vans but the big ones. Commercial vans and pickups have no place being parked in residential streets. Or, charge them higher rates of parking permit fees for commercial vehicles. No one is driving a big van as their family vehicle - unless they're Steptoe & Son or Trotters Trading.

[–] Denjin@feddit.uk 5 points 2 days ago

I use a van for work and have to park it at home as part of my contract, why should I have to pay higher rates for that, or pay for parking somewhere a distance away from my home?

Parking provision (and lack thereof) is the fault of the builder/developer/local authority, not the people who need to use that parking.

Sounds like you've got a local parking issue that needs to be addressed, not collectively punishing every tradesperson.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 4 points 2 days ago

Deport them forrin cars! They're taking arr ro-ads and arr weans!

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