<“We’re delighted that customers refused to buy the Excursion,” says Carl Pope of the Sierra Club. “It was a car, or a truck, or a monster that was far bigger than anyone needed it to be.”

Doesn’t know what to call this rural convenience vehicle, but knows beyond all doubt that nobody needs one. Next banning: all those huge commuter buses that nobody really needs.

My bit of psychic reach tells me that Mr. Pope probably doesn’t know anyone who actually works with his hands, back and legs. Large utility vehicles (LUV, as the acronym SUV is definitely a misnomer for the handy Ford Excursion) of this sort are a godsend, to economically get tools, equipment and personnel to and from remote job sites.

My Dad, a man who loves travel, and loves word-working (full wood-shop on second floor of separate 2.5 car garage [which was an interesting construction project in itself a few decades ago]), considered the Excursion for the wood-shop, but he was more in the market for a convenient tow-car for his Winnebago (License 1DERER). It’s the 34 foot Adventurer. The compromise was a small, black Ford Ranger with covered bed (License 1DERER2) (we spent a few days figuring out how to install the drive shaft coupler for free-wheel towing, and it works great). A lot smaller, but with the vinyl cover removed from the bed and the use of come-along straps and bungee cords, it hauls lumber (and other big-hobby stuff) just fine -- but requiring more trips. Just a fun sort of guy who enjoys life, and doesn’t mind driving a few hundred miles in comfort to watch an aurora event.

Pope’s a crank, but that’s just me. I think people are responsible for their own actions, whereas Pope proceeds under the delusion that everybody on the planet is a child -- except him, of course.

Personally, if it runs and gets the job done, I like it. Size, age and looks don’t matter.

Cheers,
Dan