Take a drive across town and one is likely to see the ugly side of what is typically referred to as the “Bakersfield Bro.” This over-consuming and rude-natured part of Bakersfield culture noxiously spews out of oversized gas and diesel-guzzling truck exhaust pipes.
Inter-suburban roads crisscross tract housing developments and act as mini-freeways for these pavement bandits. Large American-made behemoths are the models of choice, but the stock configurations are far from adequate for these patrons of petroleum vanity. The desire to be loud, large and wasteful, lead many seeking this rough image to spend thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in aftermarket tire and 4×4 shops as well as at the pump.
Elevation is key for this group, just like the ignorant desires of our ancestors trying to raise their beds in an attempt to escape the diseased air near the floor. The higher the better, and this is accomplished with suspension and body lifts often costing in the range of $2,000. The amount of lift varies depending on the desire of the customer but averages six inches all the way to 17 inches.
The effects of raising the cab are unpleasant for the normally suspended cars on the road. Headlights shine directly into rear and side-view mirrors making for a blinding experience waiting at stoplights. The feeling of empowerment that comes from the higher stance plays perfectly for an individual who is seeking to exert their dominance over small four-wheelers.
Perhaps the ironic part of lifting a truck is seen in the self-inflicted damage that occurs when factory specified tolerances are stressed by ultra-heavy wheels and beyond recommended tire sizes. Increased vibrations loosen bolts and rattle plastic years before what normal wear would cause.
Exhaust modifications ranging from simple muffler replacement to performance enhancing manifold upgrades result in a loud and sometimes painful ear-load of noise. This overall decibel-raising effect is added to when you account for the “singing” of aggressively treaded tires used on pavement. Knotty rubbers are intended for off-road traction but the reality is that many of these brute tires will never feel the wet Kern County mud between their knuckles.
The thrill of shiny custom wheels flashing in the sun does not come cheap. Fransisco Ledsma of Carroll’s Tire Warehouse on Brundage Lane estimates that the average customer spends $220 dollars per wheel on an other-than-factory option, not including the price of the tire itself. The oxymoronic combination of beautiful chrome-plated wheels and mud tires make for a humorously under used pavement beast. After all, why would one risk scraping flawless aluminum on rocks and brush?
The added weight of wheel upgrades, suspension parts, and 4×4 drive trains directly result in a decrease in fuel economy. This can be partly offset with exhaust upgrades but any efficiency is grossly overcome with the distasteful driving habits some of these truck owners incorporate into their demeanor. Roaring from stoplight to stoplight smashing accelerators and brake pedals is not cost effective for an economy tight on jobs and suffering from high oil prices.
This self-indulgent syndrome spreads to the driver’s family, with negative consequence. Many have witnessed young mothers with infants attempting to get “on board” these monsters in grocery store parking lots. Families struggle with rising living costs yet the narcissism of their husbands win over and make the relatively simple task of securing a child, difficult.
The root of the problem exists in the social acceptance and glorification of such gas gluttony. Cultural traditions traverse generations and a “bro truck” is the desire and object of affection for many young men. Fathers pass on to their sons older models to upgrade to the newest. Wasteful tendencies are seen in all parts of the automobile operator spectrum but it seems self-detrimental to consciously make a choice and purchase a more expensive mode of transportation.