A Man And His Gear

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Why do pickup trucks back into parking spaces?

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A common sight across America, pickup trucks are often seen backing into parking spots.

Pickup truck drivers proudly boast about their ability to haul just about anything around town, but they’re also known for backing up into a spot at the mall or even the grocery store. Many out there may wonder why these trucks reverse themselves into parking spaces instead of driving forward, so the question must be answered.

1. It’s Easier to Use Your Mirrors While Reversing

Without a doubt, it is much easier to use your mirrors when backing up than trying to turn around and look over your shoulder while driving forward. It is simpler to turn your head and look behind you when reversing than looking through the front window of a vehicle while driving forward.

2. It’s Easier to Back Up Than it is to Parallel Park

Unless you’re some sort of professional paralegal parker, it can be difficult to pull off the perfect spot with great form and finesse. Parallel parking can be a rather difficult skill to master, and it is certainly not for everyone.

Backing into a spot takes the risk of scratching the paintwork away from too many obstacles that one might encounter while trying to park in tight quarters between two cars next to you. It’s less risky, safe, and easier for those who aren’t as inclined to master the technique of parallel parking.

3. Easier on Your Back

When you park in a spot and try backing out of it, you do not have to lift your head as high as when pulling into space and driving forward. You also don’t have to bend your neck at such an angle that it gets sore after a while.

If you choose to drive forward and park in a spot, your head will be lifted up high, and the moment you pull out, you’ll have to turn it at an angle because of the way you parked. This is much more challenging than backing into a parking space and pulling out without having to twist your neck.

4. Parking in the Winter is Easier with a Truck

In winter, when roads are covered in possibly slippery ice and snow, it’s safer to back into a parking spot because you have more traction with four rear wheels in contact with the ground instead of two in contact while driving forward. If one of your front tires loses traction on the ice, you’re going to have a bad time.

5. It’s Easier for Your Passengers and Cargo

Many pickup trucks come with extended cabs that allow passengers to enter into the back seat conveniently by having a rear-entry door on the passenger side of the vehicle. While driving forward, this entrance is blocked off from the front seat, and passengers would have to get out of the truck and walk around it to get in.

Many pickup trucks also come with a cargo tray that covers the bed of the vehicle behind the cab, and this is useful for keeping items like groceries or luggage from flying out when driving forward. When you back up, this area is still accessible for passengers or cargo that you need to put into the bed.

So, why do pickup trucks back into parking spaces?

Many just find it easier than driving forward and damaging their paintwork with every bump of the curb they encounter while trying to find a place to park. Others may enjoy the adventure of parallel parking every now and then, but most are just fine with backing into a parking space.

  1. It’s easier to use your mirrors when reversing, so you can turn your head and look behind rather than turning your neck 90 degrees while trying to turn around and look over your shoulder while driving forward.
  2. It’s easier to back up than it is to parallel park, and you don’t have to worry about scratching your car’s paintwork as much because of the obstacles you might run into while trying to park in tight quarters.
  3. If you back up, it’s not as challenging on your neck because you don’t have to twist it as far as if you were driving forward and parking.
  4. It’s easier to park in the winter with a truck because you have more control on ice, and four tires provide more traction than two when driving forward.
  5. It’s easier for passengers and cargo- some trucks come with rear doors for passengers to enter easily while some have an open bed at the back of the cab, and backing up allows for easy access to both.