Jul 13, 2011, 3:48 PM
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Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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I been thinking recently about the seemingly modern North American phenomena of women owning trucks (defined by me as: pickups, pickups with shells and integrated trucks like 4Runners and Pathfinders). I wonder why, despite having a new RAV4 that I really like, I still look fondly on my neighbor's Tacoma with a shell and somehow feel it would fit my personality. I opted for the RAV4 for 3 reasons: gas mpg, comfort and not having a dog or two, I thought I wouldn't use 2/3s of a Tacoma day in-day out. But I've noticed a lot of females including a fair number of my climber friends drive either a Tacoma or a 4Runner. I started coming up with theories of what their reasons might be. I thought a poll might be reveal the most common reason(s).
I've never set up a poll on here before so hopefully I did it right!
Jul 13, 2011, 4:29 PM
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Re: [rockgirlCO] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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rockgirlCO wrote:
I been thinking recently about the seemingly modern North American phenomena of women owning trucks (defined by me as: pickups, pickups with shells and integrated trucks like 4Runners and Pathfinders). I wonder why, despite having a new RAV4 that I really like, I still look fondly on my neighbor's Tacoma with a shell and somehow feel it would fit my personality. I opted for the RAV4 for 3 reasons: gas mpg, comfort and not having a dog or two, I thought I wouldn't use 2/3s of a Tacoma day in-day out. But I've noticed a lot of females including a fair number of my climber friends drive either a Tacoma or a 4Runner. I started coming up with theories of what their reasons might be. I thought a poll might be reveal the most common reason(s).
I've never set up a poll on here before so hopefully I did it right!
for me there was no hidden reason, or specific attraction. It was all based on current needs. I bought a Tacoma mainly because I ride motorcycles at the track (have to haul the bike) and didn't have the space for a vehicle and a trailer. I decided that with all my other hobbies included, It was worth the purchase. I chose Tacoma after a lot of research into all my truck options. I added a few frills to make my other hobbies easier (4 wheel drive etc).
Sometimes I wish I had a different smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle, but at the moment I use it's feature often enough to make it worth it
Jul 13, 2011, 5:15 PM
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Re: [rockgirlCO] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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Might be region-specific? Or your circle-specific? I cannot pick anything on your list as applicable to me.
I admit that I never felt an attraction to a truck of any kind, and I would probably trade one in for a smaller car if it were given to me.
In fact I can, of the top of my head, come up with only a single female friend of mine who has a truck currently. She sleeps in the back of it on camping/climbing trips. So i can't say that I see this as a "trend" in the first place, at least not around here.
Subarus seem to be an awfully common choice among climbers of both genders around here.
Jul 13, 2011, 6:43 PM
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Re: [lena_chita] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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I have a couple female friends who have trucks. - L has a pickup with cap, which she uses to live out of on extended road trips - C has a pick up(Tacoma) with a cap that she stashes gear in on her way to the cliffs and her dog(recently passes away) rides in - K has one of those SUV types things(Rav4? - I don't recall) and she is supposedly able to get 4 peole AND bikes inside....
I thought about a truck but it isn't for me. I like more of a "homey" feel, and so a van with platform is good. I like to be able to sit up comfortably and read or get on line(mobile broadband) at night, and I like to have the storage space too. Plus I want a "comfy" bed, and more than a thin sleeping pad and sleeping bag. My van has a queen sized mattress, and I slept this winter in it under flannel sheets and an embroidered silk,, goose down filled duvet.
Everyone has different needs and opportunities. But for me, a truck is not a good choice for the above, and also because I have lived in NYC for many years and the "don't make it too easy" for thievery is engrained within. I don't think I would be comfortable with all my gear in the back of a pickup cap.
Jul 13, 2011, 6:59 PM
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Re: [happiegrrrl] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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i am lusting after a truck. i'll probably be in the market next year. A truck fits my lifestyle. i spend my winters in the mountains and 4wd, although not necessary, is an advantage driving through blizzards to the ski hill. I also have a dog and lug bikes and climbing gear between 2 residences. the added advantage to be able to have a cap and be able to sleep off the ground is an advantage.
Jul 14, 2011, 2:06 PM
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Re: [rockgirlCO] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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My beautiful daughter Anna bought a pickup a few years ago. Well she lives in the city and doesn't haul stuff, although she does weekend camping a lot.
So I asked her why? She said, "Dad, if you don't understand, I can't tell you." I asked do you need it? She said "Of course".
Then her girlfriend bought a Jeep.
I don't understand. But hey! I don't have to understand, I'm just the father.
I have never seen a gender relationship with trucks among climbers. Like most climber guys, I suspect, I bought a Tacoma b/c I needed a high-clearance vehicle in which I could sleep, and the mileage was better than an SUV.
Then I got a job where I had to commute every day and reasoned that for the two weeks out of the year that I really need clearance, I can get a rental. My Prius has a 7 foot sleeping area.
I have been lusting after a truck for almost a decade. One guy had built a wooden platform where gear goes under and bedding on top. Damn, what a nice set up. One of my climbing partners just throws some sleeping bags and mats in the back of her truck when she gets to be camp ground. Now that I have a baby, wouldn't it be easier than pitching a tent with a wailing baby???
Despite my whinning, beggin, screaming, and complaining, hubby never goes for it though. There are definite drawbacks to being married to an environmentalist.
Not to mention all the baby junk I'm scoring on craigs list would be so much easier to transport...
Thanks for the responses. Definitely not a super serious subject and probably my curiousity has a lot to do with not knowing exactly why I'm lusting after the neighbor's Tacoma. Glad to see everyone is so practical! And maybe that is the same answer guy's would give. I think answer #3 is also a possible answer from them, but #1, yes, probably more of a female possibility simply due to cultural reasons. But no one here feels they need to assert or state their independence! Yay!
I think Pathfinders are very similar to 4Runners pre-2005, and I've never thought of 4Runners (until Toyota ruined the design and turned it into a Surburban tank) as anything but a truck with an integrated shell. Hmmmm, maybe I just couldn't handle the notion of travelling in an SUV. Those were such an evil word for so long in my mind. Most people bought them as grocery getters and never took them off the road. But from my experience, 4Runner owners (pre 2005) are really into off roading and camping and backroads. Finding a 5 year old 4Runner with less than 100,000 miles on it was proof of that to me. 4Runners definitely drive like a truck and are built on a truck frame.
And now for some eye candy. Found this last night: http://www.dreaminvertical.com/2011/02/from-truck-to-camper-one-tacomas-journey/
Jul 14, 2011, 6:11 PM
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Re: [rockgirlCO] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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rockgirlCO wrote:
Thanks for the responses. Definitely not a super serious subject and probably my curiousity has a lot to do with not knowing exactly why I'm lusting after the neighbor's Tacoma. Glad to see everyone is so practical! And maybe that is the same answer guy's would give. I think answer #3 is also a possible answer from them, but #1, yes, probably more of a female possibility simply due to cultural reasons. But no one here feels they need to assert or state their independence! Yay!
I think Pathfinders are very similar to 4Runners pre-2005, and I've never thought of 4Runners (until Toyota ruined the design and turned it into a Surburban tank) as anything but a truck with an integrated shell. Hmmmm, maybe I just couldn't handle the notion of travelling in an SUV. Those were such an evil word for so long in my mind. Most people bought them as grocery getters and never took them off the road. But from my experience, 4Runner owners (pre 2005) are really into off roading and camping and backroads. Finding a 5 year old 4Runner with less than 100,000 miles on it was proof of that to me. 4Runners definitely drive like a truck and are built on a truck frame.
And now for some eye candy. Found this last night: http://www.dreaminvertical.com/2011/02/from-truck-to-camper-one-tacomas-journey/
I have a 1997 Pathfinder and i think its more similar now to a forrester. Except that its got 195k and is going strong.
One guy had built a wooden platform where gear goes under and bedding on top... wouldn't it be easier than pitching a tent with a wailing baby???
That's pretty much the standard climber configuration, but it's not quite as handy as it looks, IMO. Lots of stuff ends up not fitting underneath, so you have to do the dance where you move it to the front seat anyway. Accessing the stuff at the back of the under-storage goes at about 5.7 squeeze. And the sleeping space is pretty coffinish.
I started having back problems, and the combination of not being able to sit up in the back combined with the contortion required to crawl out the hatch w/ a sleeping partner next door and the 4.5 foot leap back to earth to take a pee in the middle of the night made me psyched for something else.
Here's a link to a thread that I started on Supertopo showing the simple mod that I made to my Prius to make it a sleeper.
It's longer than the truck and so much easier to get out of for a pee in the night. I think it's more stealth b/c who sleeps in a Prius? If I was camping w/ a baby, I'd have a van all the way though. It's a little narrower (but adequate) to sleep two, but has a lot more headroom. It's a bit trickier to get everything into the front seats at night (but generally doable unless there's a haulbag or somesuch).
(This post was edited by iamthewallress on Jul 14, 2011, 7:29 PM)
Jul 14, 2011, 8:52 PM
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Re: [iamthewallress] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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LOVE the prius -> sleeper conversion!
I have essentially the same sleeper mode in my subaru. Except I haven't made the little wooden supports. I found that my cooler on one side, and a rubbermaid bin on the other side, placed in the foot space of the back seat, make perfect height supports.
And I can set it all up without getting out of the car, if I have to (if it is raining)
I hate sleeping in the car in the summer (too hot and stuffy in this neck of the woods), but in colder weather it is my favorite way to sleep -- assuming that I don't have an alternative offer to stay with friends, LOL. That still beats the car.
Jul 15, 2011, 3:45 AM
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Re: [iamthewallress] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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I never thought of the coffin effect! Hmmm. My RAV4 set up sounds much better. The final platform needs a hinged piece in the rear to allow access to the subfloor storage.
I've looked at your Prius mod on Supertopo many times! So cool, so simple. I'm sure you love the MPG. I don't think I'd like the ground clearance though. Driving a coupe for 11 years I was sick of being so low to ground. I guess there are always trade offs.
Jul 15, 2011, 4:54 PM
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Re: [rockgirlCO] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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rockgirlCO wrote:
I never thought of the coffin effect! Hmmm. My RAV4 set up sounds much better. The final platform needs a hinged piece in the rear to allow access to the subfloor storage.
I've looked at your Prius mod on Supertopo many times! So cool, so simple. I'm sure you love the MPG. I don't think I'd like the ground clearance though. Driving a coupe for 11 years I was sick of being so low to ground. I guess there are always trade offs.
Thanks. Most climbing spots in CA where I go require that you can camp in some illegal low-profile way, but not that you have 4wd (no snow for me) and clearance. In CO, I might want a different rig. My husband has a (POS ancient) Ranger if we really need local 4WD.
My platform was spit in 1/3s, but it's still a pain to get in there b/c your sleeping bags/pillows at a minimum (and usually a lot more) is sitting on top of it. That was my experience anyway...We have a 0 degree colman double sleeping bag ("the bigfoot") that just stays rolled out, and the packs never get crammed.
Jul 15, 2011, 5:02 PM
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Re: [iamthewallress] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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iamthewallress wrote:
If I was camping w/ a baby, I'd have a van all the way though. It's a little narrower (but adequate) to sleep two, but has a lot more headroom. It's a bit trickier to get everything into the front seats at night (but generally doable unless there's a haulbag or somesuch).
Hmmm. A Van. I once saw a van a decked out like an RV. I wonder...
If I was camping w/ a baby, I'd have a van all the way though. It's a little narrower (but adequate) to sleep two, but has a lot more headroom. It's a bit trickier to get everything into the front seats at night (but generally doable unless there's a haulbag or somesuch).
Hmmm. A Van. I once saw a van a decked out like an RV. I wonder...
Jul 15, 2011, 8:16 PM
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Re: [iamthewallress] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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One word(well, okay more than one) Faux Sportsmobile!
My DREAM rig! Having the conversion van converted to a climbers van(high top, 18 inches bin storage clearance under the platofrm) was good but...I would like more. More, more, MORE!
I would love to have a Sprinter converision. But I don't need total convert. Wants: - propane fridge - counter top - big bed(of course - comfy!) - storage
Don't Want: - microwave - too many closets/cupboards - give me room for bins and I'm good. - potty
Jul 15, 2011, 10:35 PM
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Re: [happiegrrrl] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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Hell, if I am going to dream, my husband will turn into a climber. We will buy one of those vans made for climbers. We will retire early and travel the continent climbing. Then we sell the van and travel the world climbing.
Reality: Husband hates climbing. I pitch tent while baby wailing and waking every creature under god at the camp ground. *sigh*
Jul 22, 2011, 6:53 AM
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Re: [rockgirlCO] Girls and trucks: what's the attraction?
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I recently bought a Toyota Tacoma, and for me the biggest reason was because I wanted the freedom and independence it gives me for doing the things I want to do. Since having it, I have gone on several climbing trips and have not had to reply on others to make it happen for me.
I dedicated a blog post to my decision and experience and am still really happy I bought it.
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