Latest news with #Tradesman
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Love Island's Liberty Poole issues stark warning after uncomfortable moment with tradesman while alone in her house
LIBERTY Poole has sent out a stark warning to fans after a tradesman called out to her house was inappropriate towards her. The 25-year-old posted a video on TikTok, explaining that she had been forced to call pest control after dealing with ants in her home. 6 6 However, she noted that women need to 'be careful and trust their gut' as she went on to detail the man's comments towards her, leaving her uncomfortable in her own home. She told her followers: 'So on the way out – I was on my own because my boyfriend got a doctor's appointment today, so he's not in the house – he [the tradesman] was saying things to me like, 'do you live on this house on your own? How much is this house worth? What do you do?' 'Like, really inappropriate questions off the bat, which I thought was a bit awkward.' However, Liberty added she 'drew the line' when he got more personal. 'It was me and this guy in the house, and I was like, paying him at the time so he could just get out my house and leave, please go, just trying to be amicable. 'And then he asked this really inappropriate question. Was basically like, 'what do you use for your boobs so I can get it to my wife?' 'After that, I drew the line. I was like, this isn't an appropriate question. Please leave the house. Please leave.' Liberty added that she contacted the company, who suspended the man in question, but was left shaken as it reminded her of another time when a man followed her when she went to collect a parcel. 'I should have trusted my gut and asked the security guard to walk me to the car, but I didn't,' she said. 'I just like, left it. I'm walking to the car, which is quite far down this road, this dark road. 'It's like 10pm at night, the car comes around the corner, follows me all the way, knowing that I didn't want the attention, knowing that I got help because of the way he was being, still followed me, and I just had this adrenaline kick in. Love Island star breaks down in tears and admits she's lonely and can't make friends 'I just was like, leave me alone. Like, I actually think I swore as well, it's not likely, but like, my adrenaline just kicked in at this point because I didn't know what to do. 'After that, I sat in my car, and there was this bunch of guys that come after he left, and like, just kind of stared at me from in there, in the car, and I was so shook up, but all I could do was go home to an empty flat and an empty house on my own, because, again, it's like my family live abroad. I can tell them, but they can't do anything about it.' As she spoke, the message about her read: 'Please be careful. Vet companies properly and trust your gut. This is a post to bring awareness to support groups you can call if you're a young girl living on your own.' Fans were quick to flood Liberty with support, with women sharing their own uncomfortable interactions with tradesmen when living by themselves. 6 6 'Sick of this happening to women all over and in every and any environment. It's so sad and shouldn't be happening,' wrote one. 'Had super similar in a taxi when I was drunk on the way home, he refused to drop me off before my SOBER friend then when alone asked me super inappropriate questions, I was so scared,' said another. 'I had a scare with a tradesman recently,' noted a third. 'It's really scary realising how vulnerable you actually are, in your own home alone with a bigger and stronger man who might not have good intentions.' 'I'm so sorry you went through that. No one should have to take preventative measures to be safe especially in their own home,' wrote a fourth. 'You truly cannot trust anyone. Sounds like he was trying to figure out if you'd be alone for long. Hope you're okay babe.' 'I'm so sorry this happened to you, this shouldn't happen to ANYONE. Hopefully this gets resolved but it shouldn't be a thing in the first place,' wrote a fifth. 'Everyone should be able to have a service done without being persecuted or being made to feel unsafe especially in your own home.' 6 6
The Drive
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Ram 1500 Adds New Cheap Trim Level for 2026, But V8 Is Still MIA
It feels like just yesterday that Ram kicked the Hemi to the curb with the introduction of the 2025 Ram 1500 lineup, but believe it or not, changes are comin' already. For 2026, Ram is overhauling the pickup's trim structure, starting with a brand-new (but not entirely) model dubbed Express. Slotting into the lineup in between the Tradesman and the Big Horn, this new entry gives buyers the option to spend a little extra scratch on some exterior pizzazz without springing for a fancier pickup. But one rumored 2026 upgrade is nowhere to be found: Sorry, pal. That thang ain't got a Hemi—at least not yet. The standard Express is a straight-up carbon copy of the basic Tradesman model's equipment list. Throw on a set of 20-inch wheels and a monochromatic exterior, then ditch the badges, and voila, you're home. If you'd like something a little spicier, there's the Black Express package (pictured), which does pretty much what you'd expect. There's one catch: It's only available on 4WD models, but at least LED fog lamps and an upgraded interior are included as part of the deal. It'll set you back another $995. On top of what, you may ask? The base price for a 2026 Ram 1500 Express Quad Cab is $44,495—or about $4,500 more than the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman. As we've yet to see pricing for the rest of the 2026 Ram lineup, it's tough to say exactly how good of a deal that is. Here's how the price breaks down depending on cab size and drivetrain: Quad Cab 2WD – $44,495 Crew Cab 2WD – $47,245 Quad Cab 4WD – $48,345 Crew Cab 4WD – $51,095 Stellantis Choosing the Express won't pigeonhole buyers into a barebones truck. As you can tell from the above price list, it's available in both Quad and Crew cab variants, and you can even upgrade from the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to the 3.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane I6. Paired with the Quad Cab, that's enough to tow 11,550 lbs, Ram says. While there's no news on the Hemi front, the confirmation of Express's return lends more credibility to the dealer leak we saw in March hinting at the revival of a V8-powered Ram 1500. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@ Byron is one of those weird car people who has never owned an automatic transmission. Born in the DMV but Midwestern at heart, he lives outside of Detroit with his wife, two cats, a Miata, a Wrangler, and a Blackwing.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Thinking about buying a Ford F-150? Here are other top choices to consider
The Ford F-150 is America's favorite truck, a title it's held for 48 years, and its favorite vehicle overall for 43 years. That popularity comes from its ability to be many things to many buyers. The F-150 is currently offered in XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, and Platinum trim with a Regular, Super, or Crew Cab and a 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot bed. From work truck to plaything, there's an F-150 that's right for you. There's also the battery-electric Lightning and high-performance Raptor, but those are different animals entirely and not addressed choices include a base 325-horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, a 400-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8, a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, or a 430-horsepower hybrid that employs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor. A ten-speed automatic transmission is standard for all. When it comes time to yank something heavy, you'll find the 400-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 tows up to 13,500 pounds, 500 more than the 5.0-liter V-8. Even the hybrid can haul 12,700 pounds, and the payload tops out at 2,455 pounds. The cabin is filled with thoughtful touches, such as optional lie-flat front seats and a transmission lever that folds flat to create a workspace. There's also an optional bed-mounted generator that provides 7.2 kW for powering tools or a flatscreen while tailgating. Changes for 2025 include a standard 12-inch infotainment display and two new options: Ford's Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving system and a head-up display. Still, given that Ford's reliability has slipped as of late, ranking in the bottom 10 of J.D. Power's 2024 Reliability Index, you might want to consider some of these alternatives. With the top spot in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey under its belt, Ram added a new flagship Tungsten trim for 2025, with a power tailgate, quilted-leather upholstery, massaging seats, suede headliner, a 14.5-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch front passenger touchscreen, 12-inch instrument cluster, and a 23-speaker Klipsch with either a Crew Cab and Quad Cab and a 5'7" and 6'4" bed, standard power comes from a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a 48-volt hybrid system that generates 305 horsepower on the Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, and Big Horn/Lonestar trims. Ram also offers a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine rated at 420 horsepower on the Tradesman, Warlock, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, and Rebel trims, and a High Out Hurricane with 540 horsepower on the RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn and Tungsten models. The Hemi V-8 has been dropped for 2025. Maximum towing falls short of the F-150 at 11,550 pounds as does payload at 2,370 pounds. Thankfully, it makes up for it in other respects. Consider its suspension, which uses coil springs rather than the leaf springs used by its competition. You can even opt for an air suspension and adjustable ride height. Either way, Ram delivers a smooth ride and powertrain refinement lacking elsewhere, while offering the plushest cab. Ram also offers in-bed 110-volt outlets and an in-bed lockable toolbox. Uniquely, its 60/40 split-folding rear tailgate allows you to open one side or the other or fold it traditionally. It all makes for quite an impressive rig and one that's tough to ask GMC. The Sierra 1500 is basically a Chevrolet Silverado with slightly nicer trim and a modestly differentiated exterior design. Prices are higher too. A 79.4-inch bed is standard with the Regular, Double, or Crew Cab. A 69.9-inch box is available for the Crew Cab, and a 98.2-inch bed can be fitted to the Regular Cab. Engine choices start with a 310-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V-8, a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8, or, uniquely, a 305-horsepower 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbocharged diesel engine that generates 495 pound-feet of torque, the most of any Sierra 1500. An eight-speed automatic is standard with the four, while the others get a 10-speed. The towing capacity tops out at 13,300 pounds, although even the base model can yank 9,500 pounds. Payload maxes out at 2,280 pounds. Like the Ram, the GMC has a trick tailgate that's also offered on its Chevrolet sibling. Dubbed the MultiPro Tailgate, it has a secondary smaller panel within the tailgate that swings down fully to make reaching inside the bed easier. It also acts as a step into the bed or as a bed extender stop. While nicer than a Silverado, the Sierra trails the Ram in the plushness department. Yet the Sierra's advantage is that it feels smaller than its size suggests, with an agility and feel that make it a pleasure to drive. In this, it's like a lot of GM vehicles: well-engineered with interior trim quality that trails the competition. If the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado has any advantage over its GMC twin, it's the greater option flexibility. Its powertrains mimic those of its sibling, as do its cabs, beds, payload, and towing. However, it has a lower price, and as a result, overall trim quality has slightly deteriorated. This is a Chevrolet, after its handling is not significantly different from the GMC, so it merely comes down to a preference in dealer, design, and price. That last part is where Chevrolet holds an advantage: It has the lowest base price of any full-size pickup, starting at $36,800. Notably, while the Ford F-150 is the bestselling pickup truck by brand, GM's Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra—basically identical trucks—together outsold the Ford in 2024 by 874,679 units to 765,649 units. Neither GM truck has a clear advantage over the Ford except for its diesel option. With the Tundra, Toyota has yet to significantly challenge Detroit-based automakers when it comes to full-size pickups, although every iteration gets closer. The Tundra isn't offered in a Regular Cab. Instead, you get a Double Cab with a 6.5-foot bed or an 8.1-foot bed or a larger CrewMax cab with a 5.5-foot bed or 6.5-foot bed. New for 2025 are massaging seats and a power tailgate on all but base SR models. A TRD Rally Package enhances its off-road chops. Similar to the other trucks here, the Toyota Tundra has a 120-volt AC power outlet in the bed. Power comes from either the base 389-horsepower "I-Force" twin-turbocharged V-6 or a 437-horsepower I-Force Max" twin-turbocharged Hybrid V-6 with an impressive 583 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models. While its abilities trail its rivals, it should be satisfactory for most buyers, with a 12,000-pound maximum towing capacity and a 1,940-pound maximum payload. While the Hybrid returns 20-22 mpg in combined city/highway driving, that's less than the Ford Hybrid's 23 mpg, Ram HFE's 23 mpg, and the GMC/Chevrolet diesel's 23-26 Ford F-150 is built in Michigan and Missouri, while the Ram 1500 is manufactured in Michigan. The GMC Sierra 1500 is made in Indiana, while its sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, is fabricated in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Mexico. The Toyota Tundra is assembled in Texas. While the 2025 Ford F-150 wins in pure numbers, aka towing and payload, all full-size trucks offer enough capability for most buyers. So, in the end, aside from design, dealer, and price, the decision comes down to a truck's other aspects to seal the deal. With Ram, it's luxury and refinement, not to mention its in-bed toolbox. With GM, it's the vehicle's driving dynamics that prove superior. Finally, Toyota offers the promise of reliability for the Detroit-phobic. But if we had to choose, the Ram 1500 would get our nod. Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
