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An American trucker recently told me trucking is 90% about looking cool. Apparently in the US and Canada, brands are heavily segmented for cultural reasons. La
by byw 6y ago
An American trucker recently told me trucking is 90% about looking cool.
Apparently in the US and Canada, brands are heavily segmented for cultural reasons. Large fleets buy modern, streamlined trucks from Volvo and Freightliner (Mercedes) to save on fuel, while self-employed truckers buy Peterbilt and Kenworth that look like they haven't changed since the 70s.
Though the latter have the added benefit of fewer breakdowns, due to older designs having beefier parts, but also weigh more and burn more diesel.
- 082349872349872 6y agoThere is a shaggy dog story in which the setup is that a child asks a cowboy why he wears various items, and he patiently explains the hat is for the sun, the bandanna for the dust, etc. etc., and the punchline is along the lines of "but mister, why are you wearing gym shoes?" "I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a trucker, now would I?" (I've visited a long-haul trucker convention near Interlaken once or twice. With eyes open, it looks like [a european's idea of] the US due everyone dressing in "country". With eyes closed, one hears schlager and smells currywurst, and the true location becomes obvious.)
- Blikkentrekker 6y agoApparently other long objects need to be used for compensational purposes, I see.
- Cthulhu_ 6y agoLatching on to your comment; I wanted to say, US truckers (and car culture as a whole) do some extravagant stuff with their vehicles as well. Airbrushing, lots of chrome and lights, etc. Mind you, a lot of that is still within reason as they're used daily for work.