A bakkie is another name for the more commonly known pick up truck. These are usually bigger vehicles that have a cargo bed at the back. A pick up truck will commonly have a tubular chassis that doesn't connect the cab to where the passengers sit to the independent cargo section. This enables more flexibility for the chassis when the vehicle drives over bumpy and informal roads. Bakkies are generally used by people living in rural areas, such as farmers, as well as delivery people and those needing simply a small cargo bed for their transportation.
The size and shape of bakkies differ significantly. Some are able to carry heavier loads than others, whilst many have various size cargo beds. There are double and single cab bakkies. The single cab bakkies can usually carry three people, as well as the driver, whilst the double cab is like a normal car with a backseat, with a cargo bed attached at the back. These vehicles are usually much larger than normal motor vehicles, although there are popular small versions of these pick ups.
As previously mentioned, bakkies are popularly used in farming and agricultural communities. Simply because these hardy vehicles are better equipped to drive on rural roads, as they are fitted with excellent shocks and tires. The cargo bed in the back is excellent for transporting smaller agricultural stock goods. This saves the farmer a lot of time in the transportation of smaller things for the farm.
Even small businesses in the city utilize bakkies, as they are a cheaper method of transporting goods. A bakkie is more economical on petrol than a large truck, but is usually still big enough for transporting boxes and other sorts of things that are too large for a normal automobile. Bakkies can be used as smaller vehicles for moving offices and homes, and are very popular in the delivery fields of business. Variations of bakkies have been made into tow trucks, that have enough power to drag damaged motor vehicles off accident scenes.
Plenty of urban dwellers purchase bakkies for holidaying reasons. Firstly, a bakkie can take them into most terrains, as they are hardier than a normal car. Secondly, the cargo bed is big enough for a large amount of luggage, and even more so, if the person needs to transport quad bikes, motor bikes, regular bicycles or anything else they would need on their holiday. Boat and Jet Ski owners could find a bakkie more advantageous too as it would have more pulling capacity for the heavy loads. A bakkie is far more capable of pulling a trailer than most vehicles, as it has more horsepower. Bakkies which are used by individuals rather than businesses are usually created with comfort in mind. The cab of the vehicle will usually be quite luxurious, spacious and comfortable, ideal for long journeys.
Bakkies are gaining popularity quickly as they are larger vehicles, better for big families and those who feel they would like something with more power.
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