You might notice a letter from a guy named Dave in our Mailbag section that essentially defends those of us who get our kicks driving big, lifted, nasty diesel pickup trucks.
He says, "I know being in the world of academia, literature, and publications, you are often bombarded with comments like 'Why another obnoxious truck magazine?' I would like to give you a good quote from some of the women in my circle of friends and family who have been appalled lately at the lack of testosterone in the American public (as a whole, no single group implied)...'Where have all the men gone who can pull you out of a ditch with their truck on a frozen snowy night, make sure you get home safe, and still think it's OK to open your car door for you when you get out?' So in the words of my wife, her friends, and my female family members... 'We need more trucks, more real men to drive them, and more old-school testosterone...magazines included.'"
Dave has a point. Not everyone wants to drive a Toyota Prius. Heck, not everyone can drive one of those cars. Many of our readers push a snowplow in the winter, haul construction goods during the week, pull a 10,000-pound trailer full of toys on the weekend, and do many other heavy-duty activities with their trucks. Not everyone can align with the smaller, lighter, zero-emissions movement. We can, of course, do our best to reduce the impact of our trucks on the environment...but that's another story for another time.
Right now, we're talking about big trucks. We love big trucks, you love big trucks. Chances are you have to drive a heavy-duty diesel pickup because of your job or hobbies. We get that. But we also get that you like it to look nice. The lift kit, the wheels and tires, the graphics, and the custom billet badges are all expressions of your love for your truck and what it represents. Yes, testosterone is a part of it. I'd be willing to bet that a majority of our readers are A+ personality types. They take charge, get things done, and know what they want. Nothing wrong with that, of course.
So, one of the things that comes with this type of personality trait is an appreciation for perfection, and the result is some pretty impressive trucks amongst our readers. We get photos from readers all the time with the question, "Is my truck good enough to be on the cover of 8-Lug?" Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't.
Defining what is good enough for the cover is a tough thing to do. Some trucks just have "the look", and some qualify because of a combination of aftermarket parts that makes them stand out. Sometimes graphics or color choices really cut through the clutter and make a truck special. It's hard to tell you exactly what the qualifications are for getting your truck on the cover of 8-Lug. It's sort of a we-know-it-when-we-see-it type thing.
We thought it would be fun to come up with a new program that will allow you to go through the process of picking a new cover truck with us. Cover Quest is starting with the very next issue of 8-Lug and here's how it works: You send in some photos of your truck along with information about it, and we subject it to a committee of experts who pick it apart. See page 68 for all the information you need to enter. You will have to have a thick skin to enter because chances are, one of our three judges will find a thing or two to complain about (ever seen Simon Cowell on American Idol?).
So, you love your truck. You think it's awesome. You want attention. It all comes together rather nicely. Send in your photos and info now. Right now.