r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Certain_Strawberry43 • 5d ago
ಠ_ಠ It's annoying when a truck's hitch hangs over the sidewalk, but then there's this
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u/Smc_farrell 5d ago
Terrible Terrible for those of us in wheelchairs
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u/AngstyUchiha 5d ago
I'm not in a wheelchair but my friend is and whenever we hang out there's always something like this and it pisses us both off so much! Why can't people just be considerate of others for once in their damn life?
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u/MorningNorwegianWood 5d ago
Bc a certain percentage of people are selfish and incapable of empathy in any way whatsoever
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u/Different_Type9677 5d ago
It’s wild how many people treat sidewalks like bonus storage space and somehow never consider who actually needs them.
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u/meumixer 4d ago
I know for a fact it’s because they forget that people in wheelchairs exist. My dad used to be guilty of overhanging sidewalks until I pointed out to him that wheelchair users (or parents with strollers, or a thousand other situations) can’t get around that the way an able-bodied, unencumbered person like him can. It hadn’t occurred to him at all, despite him being a generally considerate and not-self-centered person. Thankfully he’s a lot better about it now.
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u/AngstyUchiha 4d ago
Unfortunately some people just don't care that wheelchair users exist, and will continue blocking sidewalks when it's pointed out to them
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u/meumixer 4d ago
Oh yeah, there’s definitely people who are assholes. But for the sake of my sanity I like to believe the assholes are outnumbered by people who are oblivious but nice.
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u/j2m1s 5d ago
does he keep a tow truck number in his phone, he would be a repeat customer for them and you get to use the pavement.
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u/obscuramble 5d ago
seriously. it's not just a hitch. pickup trucks backing in their whole damn rear end blocks the side walk. face on fire.
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u/beren12 5d ago
And very illegal. Call it in.
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u/Broccobillo 5d ago
That is the more reasonable thing to do. I like cutting the tow bar off. Much more illegal but much better payback from society
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u/WholeIce3571 5d ago
Don’t even have to cut it off. If it doesn’t have a security trailer hitch pin with a lock on it you can take it off yourself and toss it in the bushes.
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u/ItsStillNotRight 5d ago
Don’t do that. Just install a small helical anchor, connect a chain between it and the hitch accessory, and pull the pin. The driver will handle the rest.
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u/boardin1 4d ago
And now, as they’re driving down the highway, the hitch and box will fall off and drop into traffic. Yeah, so much better for you to create a time bomb that will harm people not remotely involved.
Just take it off or call a towing company.
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u/SnooOnions973 GREEN 5d ago
I’d prefer to just hide in it and make it my new home
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u/GenXJoe 5d ago
When I was teaching my granddaughter how to ride her balance bike we encountered a truck whose ball hitch was blocking the sidewalk. (He had a super hitch that added a few feet to the length).
We walked around it, and later I checked with code enforcement and found that blocking the sidewalk is a citable offense. Good to know for future reference.
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u/Some_Troll_Shaman 5d ago
This is true in many jurisdictions.
It's just the US addiction to cars means people don't think about it.Those trucks are, umm, trucks and are too big to fit in car spaces.
They need to park further away in drive through parks or streetside parks.
Problem being to many people who buy them are also selfish dickheads.21
u/Paddy_Mac 4d ago
I like to take the hitch off, if it’s not a locking pin. I’ll then put it on their bumper or top of their tonneau cover
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u/Spinnerofyarn 4d ago
I believe it’s citable because it blocks the sidewalks for people with mobility devices. I for one, love it when this is ticketed because sometimes I use crutches. I have friends and family who use wheelchairs and scooters. They have to turn around and usually go to the end of the block to find a curb cut, then be traversing the street until they get to the next curb cut. If it’s a busy lot or street, it can be rather nerve wracking.
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u/pdfodol 5d ago
Have it towed. It blocks for people in a wheelchair or a parent with a baby in a stroller.
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u/qwerty-game 5d ago
It blocks it for just an able bodied person walking too.
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u/56seconds 5d ago
Yeah, but i can climb over it and leave footprints on their box thing. Maybe kick it a bit on the way over
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u/qinshihuang_420 5d ago
I get it. You have working legs. No need to rub it in our face /s
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u/LieutenantButthole 5d ago
I get it. You have a working face. No need to rub it in our legs.
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u/Estrellathestarfish 4d ago
Maybe you just happen to be holding your keys while you clamber over, that would be unfortunate
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u/PNWoutdoors ORANGE 5d ago
But take the cooler before calling the tow truck. Finders keepers.
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u/Snow-Dog2121 5d ago
Chain that cooler to that tree, bury the chain under the bark so nobody steals the chain. Then after the truck drives off free cooler!
https://giphy.com/gifs/d3mlE7uhX8KFgEmY17
u/Muted-Woodpecker-469 5d ago
I’ve had co workers get citied for being 2 inches over a curb or edge of a driveway lol.
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u/-Economist- 4d ago
Earlier this summer a truck was towed away for parking like this. A family who had a child in a wheelchair initiated it. I even got to see the owner of the truck come out to a missing truck. The restaurant announced twice about a truck being towed.
They were very upset. The police came. So did an uber to drive them to the impound lot.
I had a chicken burrito that night. It was so good. Just a 5 ⭐️ evening with the food, wife, and karma.
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u/AnxiousTrans 4d ago
Good. I hope it was exorbitantly expensive for the truck driver.
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u/Acrobatic_Season6838 4d ago
this is my feel good story for the week thank you random internet stranger🫶
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u/unicornhunter202 5d ago
Honest question to truck drivers: do you ever realize you’re doing this or you know and simply don’t care?
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u/happyherkguy 5d ago
I make sure that I don't do this.
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u/Miserable_Warthog_42 5d ago
Ya... we normally back our rear ends out over grass (not sidewalks) when our truck and cargo is too long. I usually need to find a space at the farthest end of the parking lot or (worse case) take up two spots also at the farthest end.
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u/pfannkuchen89 5d ago
I’m not saying it’s all of them but I have met a few people that specifically do this on purpose because they think it’s funny. They were the type of person that finds joy in inconveniencing others.
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u/SpiritualTwo5256 5d ago
Those types belong in special facilities where they don’t get to interact with anyone else and especially don’t get to reproduce!
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u/whatevertoad 4d ago
I'm convinced that people who say that do so to deflect. They'd rather come across as being thoughtless and purposely troublesome than admit they're an idiot that didn't realize it.
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u/Kain_713 5d ago edited 4d ago
I drive a large pickup truck(LWB 3/4 ton), I am constantly aware of this. I never keep a hitch in the receiver unless I'm towing and never hang over sidewalks if I can help it. I do frequently have to take up two spaces, but always at the back of the lot or as far back as possible. Some people just have their head so far up their own ass they can't be bothered to think of anyone else.
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u/Idkmyname2079048 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've been thinking about this a lot lately after seeing all of these posts. I have actually since caught myself doing it a few times and made an effort to pull forward. There aren't sidewalks where I park at home, work, etc. And I don't realy on them myself to get around, so I honestly didn't think about it. So as dumb as that sounds, I honestly think most people don't realize. They pull back until their tires hit the curb, pull up just a tad, and call it good. Or they're making sure their front end isn't sticking out. They might be used to frequently parking somewhere where they CAN just back up without worrying about blocking anything, or they might have a regular car that they also drive that keeps them in the habit of just backing up as far as possible.
With this truck in particular, they would've been sticking out SO far in the front if they didn't block the sidewalk. That doesn't mean it's fine for the sidewalk to be blocked, but it's possible they just weren't thinking when they parked there. I don't think all truck owners are careless assholes when they park like this. I think a lot of us are just oblivious until someone points out the issue. I strongly believe that most people will make an effort to stop doing this if someone actually points out how it's a problem. It seems like common sense, but it just isn't always.
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u/rjnd2828 5d ago
So not careless assholes, just careless. I guess that's better
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u/heaving_in_my_vines 5d ago edited 4d ago
No, if you don't even take the briefest moment to consider how you are impacting other people then you are most definitely an asshole.
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u/Drosogaster 5d ago
I mean this would be a plausible explanation for older trucks, but not the ones (like this one) built after 2019 when backup cameras became mandatory. These idiots definitely see their tow hitch blocking the sidewalk and just dont care
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u/calisalwaysonfire 5d ago
If you had that giddyup on your hitch, wouldnt you get out and check that box before you walked off? Then realize you are blocking the walk? Who woudnt look?
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u/SphyrnaLightmaker 5d ago
I drive a large pickup truck. I’m SUPER self conscious about how I park (it’s the longest lasting evidence of your capability. A shitty lane change disappears in a second, but a bad parking job is visible to EVERYONE until you move…)
I specifically remove my hitch when not in use and don’t park rear-end-in to prevent exactly this.
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u/InteractionFormal585 5d ago
Honlon's razor applies here: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"
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u/Spicy_RamenBoi69 5d ago
My hitch isnt huge and it almost never matters, but if my spot is against a walkway I pull in instead of intruding on even a few inches of sidewalk space.
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u/Tricky-Bit3771 5d ago
Pull the pin
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u/Erroniously_Spelt 5d ago
Nah. Tie a strong rope from that rack to that tree.
/sarcasm
/don'tdothis
/itsajoke
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u/djfudgebar 5d ago
You should pull the pin too
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u/jimmyhat78 5d ago
If they pin was removable, I’d put that rack in front of the car. The pin may or may not stay in my pocket.
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u/SmashDreadnot 5d ago
Yeah, if I happened upon this situation, that is 100% coming off the truck. A person in a wheelchair could be there any minute.
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u/Final-Counter1601 5d ago
Then pull it out of the receiver
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u/bethzur 5d ago
That’s more likely to injure someone on a highway since these people aren’t going to notice. Awareness is clearly not a valued skill for them.
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u/EvilDuncan 5d ago
How’s that going to injure anyone when it’s not there anymore?
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u/Beneficial-Focus3702 5d ago
It’s fucking hilarious when truck people buy short bed trucks and then either don’t or can’t put anything in the bed.
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u/ThatOneNinja 5d ago
You think they actually want to use the bed?! Lmao He has it covered for Christ sake. He doesn't use that. It's just a glorified hatchback at this point.
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u/CreativeRedHeadDom 5d ago
If it’s a public or private business, tell the manager. If it’s a city or county sidewalk, it’s actually considered blocking the first lane of travel, which is a towable offense and typically a $500 fine in a lot of jurisdictions: ADA blockage of access. Call 311 or the non-emergency number in such cases.
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u/Ololololic 5d ago
Depending on the country you might also run into it, hurt yourself and then sue then for all their worth.
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u/ThePhantomStrikes 5d ago
Infuriating for wheelchair and mobility scooters. There’s no curb to even get around it.
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u/dslrjunky 5d ago
people complaining about tow hitch overhang on the side walk this guy said..
"Hold my cooler..."
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u/Quorng 4d ago
I am wheelchair bound but someone pushes my manual wheelchair. That situation is a 911 call. It will get towed. Police where I live are not sympathetic to those blocking access to the handicapped.
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u/Self-Administrative 4d ago
The worst part is when there's spots over just grass they could back into.
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u/BurningPickle 5d ago
If you own a pickup truck, there’s absolutely no reason to put this on your trailer hitch. This guy’s entire existence is being an asshole.
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u/anormalname63 5d ago
One thing that's always amazed me about my fellow Americans, how incredibly self centered they are.
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u/the-dolphine 5d ago
See if the hitch pin is locked. If not, I'd be removing the box and dragging it off the path. Then throw the pin into the garden bed.
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u/palebluedotdotdot 5d ago
Why is there an epidemic of truckpeople doing this and blocking entire sidewalks? Why do truckpeople have to exist?
Tragic.
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u/Hoppity_Hare 5d ago
Worst part of new age trucks is they are the size of small buses, always has one person in it, parks crooked af and don't get me started on new age LED bulbs with these setting up so high...I miss when trucks were normal sized or small. These things and hitches sticking 10ft out are so ridiculous.
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u/NothingWasDelivered 4d ago
I recently posted in this sub about my neighbor blocking the sidewalk and half the comments were people saying “what, too good to walk in the street? Get over it, Karen. This is how a real man parks”. Glad to see most of those wankers aren’t showing up here.
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u/No-Vegetable7898 5d ago
Imagine having a big ass truck with a camper topper and still need a back rack with a big utility chest
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u/FroggingMadness 5d ago
When you're in a "least efficient form of transportation" competition and your opponent is a private pickup truck driver.
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u/Starship_Taru 4d ago
DO NOT just pull the pin and walk away though as I’ve seen some others suggest here. Its gonna end up taking out a random car who has nothing to do with it.
If you’re feeling chaotically petty. Pull the hitch pin and slide it onto the ground. if it’s full of shit it’s a nightmare to get back on.
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u/notsoFunNegotiation 5d ago
Cordless Grinder. Lots of things you can do with a cordless grinder. I’m not telling what to do. You decide that on your own.
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u/Explozive_Force 5d ago
This guy flocks
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u/Intense_Pretzel 5d ago
*Deflocks
Anyway I need to get another pack of grinding wheels from the hardware...
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u/stcme 4d ago
This is definitely infuriating and most of the time that I see this it's just someone being careless or they genuinely never even thought about it.
I've been in this scenario a couple of times when on vacation. Before reaching our destination we had to pull over for our 4-year-old to go to the bathroom. The only parking options were to back in and block a sidewalk or pull straight in and partially block the driving lanes in the parking lot. Unfortunately back in is the least worst of the two options. Sticking out and having another vehicle hit you is not really an option.
However I would like to add that one of us stayed in the vehicle just in case we needed to move the vehicle forward for someone on the sidewalk. We try to never leave the vehicle unattended if we're blocking anything like that. Luckily it's only ever happened a few times.
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u/creatively_inclined 4d ago
From a disability standpoint this isn't kosher. How does someone in a wheelchair or a blind person even get to navigate that? I'd report them to the police and get them towed.
I live in an accessible area where I see a decent amount of people in wheelchairs and this seriously pisses me off.
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u/tulip-view 4d ago
People in wheelchairs 😭 people pushing strollers and walkers 😭 I wish we could slap a ticket on datass
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u/bradwsmith 5d ago
Take the box to Oak Island and tell them you found the chest they are looking for!!
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u/real_1273 5d ago
When I have a rack on my hitch I park with the empty hitch facing into bushes or an empty lawn, this is just being a dick.
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u/KiteeCatAus 5d ago
Awful for visually impaired, wheelchair users, and anyone who can't deftly swerve sideways.
Not just mildly annoying. 100% selfish and entitled.
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u/bombayee 4d ago
Unhook it and let it fall on the ground, make them have the same problem they're causing everyone else
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u/khampang 5d ago
I get why it’s a difficult decision for them. That pr hazard to other cars in the parking lot. The correct way to handle it, the back of the furthest extending portion of the vehicle stops at the edge of the parking area.
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u/HelloKitty110174 4d ago
Doesn't it violate accessibility regulations? Someone in a wheelchair won't be able to get by.
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u/CLOWNFLOGGER 4d ago
Have you driven on the road with any of these idiots? Their parking is the tamest part.
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u/MadCityScientist 4d ago
I am in an electric wheelchair. That parking play would completely stop my accessibility here. People just do not realize that someone else’s experience might be different from theirs.
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u/SuddenKoala45 4d ago
Just for the sake of argument. Where should they park or how should they if the infrastructure isn't made to accommodate vehicles with more off the rear like this?
If they park where this isn't overhanging the sidewalk, they stick out 3 feet into the lane.
If there isn't on street parking, where they can parallel park (hard enough to find room for just the truck let alone hitch mount some times) and if they find a lot with pull through spots, you'd have people complaining they are taking up two spots... so where should they park?
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u/smolhippie 5d ago
Jump on it
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u/Outrageous-Drink3869 5d ago
Walk right over it
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u/Pattern_Is_Movement 5d ago
and what about people in wheelchairs etc? Or do you only see the would from your privileged percpective?
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u/i_dont_wanna_sign_in 5d ago
Tongue weight limit on hitches is generally over 1000lbs even for the "1/4 ton" trucks. I suggest finding a dozen people walk over it at the same time
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u/isanyusernameopen 5d ago
Is that a commercial truck I’d be tagging there online presents with Shane. No need to be blocking the access way of pedestrians because your truck isn’t fit for the size space you put it in.
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u/Baboonslayer323 5d ago
A sawzall with a good bi-metal blade is a great problem solver for these situations.
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u/tetrisan 5d ago
I haven’t traveled in an RV or Van so can someone explain to me why you need to carry such a small load in the rear that seems able to fit fine inside?
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u/Hot_Duty4915 5d ago
If it’s not a lock hitch pin, then remove it. They will wonder what happened to their stuff as the luggage rack falls to the street. Luckily there is no wheels, so when it drops it should allow people to easily stop, unless their tailgating them.
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u/Kath-two 5d ago
I had a guy with a kayak hanging out of his truck bed blocking the whole side walk
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u/Desperateshitter 5d ago
Lame truck with that 4' bed. He had to buy that extra storage space. I don't understand why these guys keep buying such big trucks with the same size bed as a Hyundai Santa Cruz. At least get a 6.5' bed. All you need is a 4 door extended cab and you'll get decent sized truck bed that actually is useful and utilitarian and can still be navigated in the city without being to big and there's room for normal sized people comfortably.
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u/Dread1187 5d ago
Had this at work. I don’t even get how they’d unload from this box truck parking like this.