# I Pit the stupid trend of smokestacks on diesel trucks! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 11, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836 "2011-12-11T18:47:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/1 "2011-12-11T18:47:17Z")
I’ve noticed quite a few diesel trucks lately, with smokestacks mounted on the bed. These things seem to be designed to spew as much noxious smoke as possible into the air. [Here’s an example](http://www.trucktrend.com/autoshows/events/163_0904_weekend_on_the_edge_diesel_truck_event/photo_02.html). Fuck these guys with a rusty chainsaw. Being behind them when they pull away from a stoplight is a truly disgusting experience. If there’s a car modification that says “I’m a total dickweed” more clearly than these smokestacks, I haven’t seen it. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/2 "2011-12-11T19:01:44Z")
Smokestacks don’t create more smoke; they do lift it above your head so you don’t have to breathe it. The picture in your link is a drag race. It’s a modified truck going 100% for a quarter mile. You probably make more smoke in your daily commute. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/3 "2011-12-11T19:18:39Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > Smokestacks don’t create more smoke; they do lift it above your head so you don’t have to breathe it. > > The picture in your link is a drag race. It’s a modified truck going 100% for a quarter mile. You probably make more smoke in your daily commute. I know the picture is a drag race. It’s an example of the stacks I see on the roads around here. And the stacks are ABSOLUTELY NOT lifting it over my head - they are raising the smoke to where the maximum smoke gets into my car. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/4 "2011-12-11T19:24:42Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > ``` > Smokestacks don't create more smoke... > > ``` Exactly. But they’re not “smokestacks”, they’re exhaust pipes. They don’t affect how much exhaust is emitted. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/5 "2011-12-11T20:05:23Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > I know the picture is a drag race. It’s an example of the stacks I see on the roads around here. > > And the stacks are ABSOLUTELY NOT lifting it over my head - they are raising the smoke to where the maximum smoke gets into my car. And it gets the smoke up from ground level where normal pipes put it. Where I don’t have to breathe it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/6 "2011-12-11T20:11:27Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > I’ve noticed quite a few diesel trucks lately, with smokestacks mounted on the bed. These things seem to be designed to spew as much noxious smoke as possible into the air. > > [Here’s an example](http://www.trucktrend.com/autoshows/events/163_0904_weekend_on_the_edge_diesel_truck_event/photo_02.html). > > Fuck these guys with a rusty chainsaw. Being behind them when they pull away from a stoplight is a truly disgusting experience. If there’s a car modification that says “I’m a total dickweed” more clearly than these smokestacks, I haven’t seen it. Firstly - I agree they are gay, stupid, ugly, and the like. However, they do not in and of themselves increase the pollution output of the vehicle. It is the other (performance enhancing) modifications usually done in concert with these visual monstrosities that create additional pollution. The “smokestacks” just make the truck look “cooler”. I guess you might say there’s a link between the presence of the smokestacks and the likelihood that a driver will floor the accelerator out of every stoplight in order to look cooler…so they might be increasing pollution. Secondly - I think “truck nuts” are a car modification that says “I’m a total dickweed, \*and \*I enjoy offending others”. In my book, they’re worse. ---
**Author:** ![SweetLucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SweetLucy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetLucy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/7 "2011-12-12T01:37:41Z")
Recently I was almost run over by a smokestack-adorned monster truck in a parking lot, going about 80 MPH, so it didn’t make a very good impression to me. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/8 "2011-12-12T01:59:41Z")
> [@SweetLucy](#): > > Recently I was almost run over by a smokestack-adorned monster truck in a parking lot, going about 80 MPH, so it didn’t make a very good impression to me. If it had hit you I bet it would have. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/9 "2011-12-13T04:01:25Z")
> [@echo6160](#): > > I agree they are gay, If you are claiming that they have sex with other smokestacks of the same gender, I don’t believe you. Do you have a cite? If you are equating “gay” with undesirable (as in “stupid, ugly, and the like”), then you are sounding like a homophobic 12-year-old brat. Why don’t you grow up? ---
**Author:** ![Horseface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4af34b/32.png) [@Horseface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseface)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/10 "2011-12-13T04:50:11Z")
The stacks on a diesel pick-up look pretty goofy. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/11 "2011-12-13T13:19:38Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > If you are claiming that they have sex with other smokestacks of the same gender, I don’t believe you. Do you have a cite? Will have to dig up an online cite, but you’ll find evidence in the deleted scenes from _Cars 2_. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/12 "2011-12-13T17:41:35Z")
> [@SweetLucy](#): > > Recently I was almost run over by a smokestack-adorned monster truck in a parking lot, going about 80 MPH, so it didn’t make a very good impression to me. Fucking pedestrians. It’s a parking lot not a sidewalk. GTFOOTW! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/13 "2011-12-14T20:20:55Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > If you are claiming that they have sex with other smokestacks of the same gender, I don’t believe you. Do you have a cite? > > If you are equating “gay” with undesirable (as in “stupid, ugly, and the like”), then you are sounding like a homophobic 12-year-old brat. Why don’t you grow up? Awww I offended someone with an untoward usage of the word “gay”. Shame. Since I sound like a 12 year old kid, perhaps I should be sent to my room for punishment? Oh that’s right, this is the pit. My language was perfectly acceptable. So is this. You sound like somebody who got their emotional ass raped by vulgar comments and insults flung like hot runny turds at them, or perhaps a friend. Maybe those comments were homophobic in nature, and maybe its you who is gay and doesn’t like being belittled. Either way, you got all butthurt by something I had nothing to do with. Then I incidentally use the word “gay” while you are in this mental state, and you get all hurt again. Now suddenly my linguistic abilities are called into question, being compared to those of a 12 year old. The possibility of my being raised by parents who did a bad job, spent money on me instead of loved me, and turned me into a “brat” is even thrown into the mix. To top it off, it is recommended that I “grow up”, thus cementing your assumption that all of these things said about me are true, and that with a little self imposed maturation I could be rid of all of them. Well golly gee willickers thanks buddy. I appreciate your wisdom. You can be assured that due to your timely intervention into the terrible course of my pathetic life that I will never again use the word “gay” to denote something undesirable. Applause, kudos, and cookies for [t-bonham@scc.net](mailto:t-bonham@scc.net) ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/14 "2011-12-14T20:46:57Z")
That’s so echo6160. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/15 "2011-12-15T19:44:16Z")
like others have said, the extra smoke is usually caused by adding a performance chip to the truck’s computer. The truck develops more power at the cost of higher fuel consumption and emissions (lots of black smoke). You can certainly have a stack without the added smoke. And the added smoke without the stack. ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/16 "2011-12-16T01:20:03Z")
> [@brewha](#): > > like others have said, the extra smoke is usually caused by adding a performance chip to the truck’s computer. The truck develops more power at the cost of higher fuel consumption and emissions (lots of black smoke). > > You can certainly have a stack without the added smoke. And the added smoke without the stack. Aww, ya beat me to it. I even e-mailed a FOAF to check my facts.☹ 😉 Now; people who use their windshield wipers on the road and get overspray all on _my_ car… ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/17 "2011-12-16T04:17:11Z")
> [@echo6160](#): > > I agree they are gay. I’m sick and tired of these stereotypes… not every guy who lisps, loves show tunes, has a keen fashion sense and drives a 4WD lifted diesel rig with a modified exhaust and a gun rack in the back window is gay. Lay it to rest already. ---
**Author:** ![G-SE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/18 "2011-12-16T19:33:16Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > If you are claiming that they have sex with other smokestacks of the same gender, I don’t believe you. Do you have a cite? > > If you are equating “gay” with undesirable (as in “stupid, ugly, and the like”), then you are sounding like a homophobic 12-year-old brat. Why don’t you grow up? Your crusade is pretty gay too. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-stupid-trend-of-smokestacks-on-diesel-trucks/605836/19 "2011-12-16T20:13:11Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I’m sick and tired of these stereotypes… not every guy who lisps, loves show tunes, has a keen fashion sense and drives a 4WD lifted diesel rig with a modified exhaust and a gun rack in the back window is gay. Unless they’re parked in front of a bar called The Blue Oyster.