I hate Dodge Rams, Sam I Am.

**Quartida** · 19th July 2006, 18:35

Now I know, if you're a guy, the idea of a massive ute that can transport two motorbikes on the back is pretty cool, and don't get me wrong, your opinion is fine.

I, however, really, truly dislike Dodge Rams.

This is my reasoning:

Dodge Rams are huge. They are not built for NZ roads. And their sheer size (height, width and length) can be dangerous for other vehicles.

Example: today, outside Coleman's Suzuki in Auckland, for those of you who know it, was a Dodge Ram.

The Ram stuck out almost a metre past all the other cars in the parking spaces. If you know Coleman's, you'll be aware that the road is relatively narrow anyway and with the back of the Ram obstructing the view from the nearby side street as you turned, it made the road very dangerous. Not to mention the fact that, if you parked on the other side of the Ram, as I had to in my cage, it was nigh on impossible to see ANYTHING as I backed out. Practically hit a four wheel drive coming out from the same side street.

Now, I'm not getting at the driver of this vehicle - I'm sure they were there for a completely legitimate purpose, and it was totally their right to park there (they probably were unaware of the traffic sigh obstruction issue - it's easy to overlook) but why oh why does NZ allow such massive vehicles to be sold when they are aware they can't fit properly into standard spaces designed for cars?

It's not like a truck, or a van used for work purposes, because people buy them for personal use, and therefore wish to park them where cars park...a state of affairs that I find (as you may have guessed) rather discomforting

But perhaps others have a different view?

/END RANT

**limbimtimwim** · 19th July 2006, 18:37

People get them for the same reason they buy Triumph Rocket IIIs.

You know... in their pants.

**Flatcap** · 19th July 2006, 18:45

I have to say i agree with Quartida - these vehicles are as appropriate for daily driving as a Kenworth.

And with the price of petrol at the moment you would have to be a moron to run one for your daily chores / commuting

**crashe** · 19th July 2006, 18:48

My ex bro-in-law has one of them vehicles and uses it to carry all his work gear on the back. He has to carry a heap of gear for all his work vehicles that are on site (graders etc etc)

Even brought in a camper top for it as well from the states.
He has owned a few of these.

He loves his DODGE Challenger cars as well, even dragraces them.

Brings them in from the states, so many are still left hand drive.
He pays a decent amount of money to convert them over to right hand drive.

Yep they are huge.... but he can sure hoon off down the road in it as well.

He has a wee sticker on the back bumper of all his vehicles (I hate Jap cars)

**Waylander** · 19th July 2006, 18:58

Meh the Dodge will need a lift kit and bigger tyres from stock before I'll really be interested.

**The Stranger:Me** · 19th July 2006, 19:09

Originally Posted by Quartida

Now I know, if you're a guy, the idea of a massive ute that can transport two motorbikes on the back is pretty cool, and don't get me wrong, your opinion is fine.

I, however, really, truly dislike Dodge Rams.

This is my reasoning:

Dodge Rams are huge. They are not built for NZ roads. And their sheer size (height, width and length) can be dangerous for other vehicles.

Example: today, outside Coleman's Suzuki in Auckland, for those of you who know it, was a Dodge Ram.

The Ram stuck out almost a metre past all the other cars in the parking spaces. If you know Coleman's, you'll be aware that the road is relatively narrow anyway and with the back of the Ram obstructing the view from the nearby side street as you turned, it made the road very dangerous. Not to mention the fact that, if you parked on the other side of the Ram, as I had to in my cage, it was nigh on impossible to see ANYTHING as I backed out. Practically hit a four wheel drive coming out from the same side street.

Now, I'm not getting at the driver of this vehicle - I'm sure they were there for a completely legitimate purpose, and it was totally their right to park there (they probably were unaware of the traffic sigh obstruction issue - it's easy to overlook) but why oh why does NZ allow such massive vehicles to be sold when they are aware they can't fit properly into standard spaces designed for cars?

It's not like a truck, or a van used for work purposes, because people buy them for personal use, and therefore wish to park them where cars park...a state of affairs that I find (as you may have guessed) rather discomforting

But perhaps others have a different view?

/END RANT

Well sssssoooooorrrryyyyy.....Where exactly would you like me to jam my ram?

No seriously...that road isnt narrow. A bus could have done a U turn behind it.

Personally I dont see the problem. I parked next to it today (probably in the same spot you did) and didnt have any problem. All it took was some care reversing out. Of course they are larger than most vehicles and can get in the way sometimes but so do all the other fuckers that cant park properly and theres more of those then there are Dodge Rams unfortunately!!! I dont think anyone would be complaining if there was a truck parked there doing business. Would you?

Ps: If that was anyones on here...damn sexy I must say!!

But hey...jealousy wont get you no where

Christine

**Scouse** · 19th July 2006, 19:13

I want on of these the S/RT viper version that has the V10 Dodge viper engine in it

**NotaGoth** · 19th July 2006, 19:43

Originally Posted by Quartida

but why oh why does NZ allow such massive vehicles to be sold when they are aware they can't fit properly into standard spaces designed for cars?

Fact is the standard parking space seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Once upon a time you could comfortably fit a a rather large car anywhere and everywhere. Mum owns a 91 ford XR8, now they ain't exactly a "large" car, and yet she has to avoid attempting to park in certain areas. Carparks now just don't seem to be made to allow for the "larger vehicles" they seem to cater more so for smaller jap imports. I may be wrong, but thats how its been getting up north here.

After seeing the damage done to my previous car in an accident, I know I wouldn't mind a larger vehicle. Small cars are like damn well tin cans. Why should they not allow large vehicles like that on the NZ roads? Maybe its time they widened the roads and made larger carparks to cater for these vehicles. Each to their own as to what they like to drive or ride.

Yes I know this is a biker forum. and I'll probably get red blinged for that comment.

**Motu** · 19th July 2006, 19:54

Back in the early '70's in my area there was a family contracting business,when the father gave up and passed the running on to his sons,he kept one of his favorite vehicles for his own private use,he just couldn't bear not to be able to drive it again.It was an Aveling Barford front end loader,and he removed the bucket and rams etc.It was road legal,lights and everything.The wheels were 2 metres tall,with a huge motor in the back.The old boy drove it all over the place,it was his daily driver - you'd go into the main street and it'd be angle parked along with the cars,what a hoot,good on him.I used to have an ex Army 4x4 Bedford truck,I took the big tray off and put a flat top on it - I used it as my workshop hack when I ran a workshop in Otahuhu...I'd drive into the main street,double park and wander off to get my lunch.

I can't afford a Dodge Ram....bugger eh?

**marty** · 19th July 2006, 19:56

i wish people wouldn't ride around on crappy 15 year old 250's, but frankly it's none of my business what they do, and you certainly don't hear me publicly whingeing about it.

**TonyB** · 19th July 2006, 20:13

I think they are waaaaay over the top. But each to their own. There are people who would ban motorbikes cause they too load, dangerous, don't seem to have a purpose etc.

**Quartida** · 19th July 2006, 20:23

Originally Posted by CaN

Personally I dont see the problem. I parked next to it today (probably in the same spot you did) and didnt have any problem. All it took was some care reversing out. Of course they are larger than most vehicles and can get in the way sometimes but so do all the other fuckers that cant park properly and theres more of those then there are Dodge Rams unfortunately!!! I dont think anyone would be complaining if there was a truck parked there doing business. Would you?

My problem was that I almost got nailed by a 4WD while reversing because I couldn't see a thing.

If it had been a truck, I would still have been frustrated...I really feel that an oversized vehicle driver needs to be more aware of how their vehicle affects others than do "normal"-sized-car drivers.

However, like I say, it's not the Ram driver's fault at all. And I DIDN'T get nailed, so it's a case closed. I was just more interested in the opinions of others about large vehicles on small NZ roads, as I feel quite strongly about the issue.

And I'm all for making the roads wider, kittie. But I guess my point is: until they do (dot dot dot)

Originally Posted by CaN

Of course they are larger than most vehicles and can get in the way sometimes but so do all the other fuckers that cant park properly and theres more of those then there are Dodge Rams unfortunately!!!

This, however, is very very true.
And I really dislike people who park badly, to the impairment of other drivers.

Whew...I feel like I've been doing a lot of hating. Don't get me wrong, this was just a little rant to let off steam