pickup truck size

[Hunter4282]

I've often wondered in recent years how is it that American (& foreign) full size pick up trucks have become so large, luxury laden, and overwhelmingly expensive almost requiring a 2nd mortgage to purchase. (i'm not talking about those who make a living from their pickups, just everyday owners who cruise the country, malls, & trips to Lowes...)

What is your take? this is observation only, we all have our preferences. I'm talking sheer size & price. I travel narrow dirt roads almost daily, & drive very defensively around blind curves knowing most current pickups almost aggressively consume 2/3 or more of the road while insulated with power & luxury. That's ok, but puts me at risk. Most of the time i just pull off to the side...

So has it been the result of 1) modern owners actually needing all if it? 2) or is it Americans love affair with bigger, better, & more technology laden? I also note that the size of the payload bed continues to shrink all the while. (some 4 full size door models can't even carry a sheet of ply)
Personally i feel both are true: we now use pickups for in a wider range of activities, & want having it packed into one large size. But dang, the price & size
Hey, just as a simple metaphor to compare: look at the vat sized drink tumblers now served @ fast foods. do we really need it?

On the flip side, i've also noticed that especially since '08 crash, Detroit has done an outstanding job of producing more fuel efficient & modest sized passenger vehicles...strange. So tell me about the big pickup truck size craze. Again, not dumping, just observing.
Apologize in advance if this seems like an inane post, but i'm blown away every day of what the full size pickup has now become. best regards

I am not sure where you are from, but you are not required to buy a $75000 truck. For some people that is expensive other not so much. I agree that the base price for all vehicles is out of control, and a lot of people need a truck in some capacity but can't do 2 vehicle so they get a luxury pickup. My 3500 ram cost 45000new and was a base truck not many options. One of the problems in the US is the government mandated crap that runs the price up. Multiple airbags level 4 emissions, and a host of other safety crap that does nothing but inflate the price. Smaller bed sizes are a result of not needing a truck to carry things but still the towing from a truck and size limi

I've often wondered in recent years how is it that American (& foreign) full size pick up trucks have become so large, luxury laden, and overwhelmingly expensive almost requiring a 2nd mortgage to purchase. (i'm not talking about those who make a living from their pickups, just everyday owners who cruise the country, malls, & trips to Lowes...)

What is your take? this is observation only, we all have our preferences. I'm talking sheer size & price. I travel narrow dirt roads almost daily, & drive very defensively around blind curves knowing most current pickups almost aggressively consume 2/3 or more of the road while insulated with power & luxury. That's ok, but puts me at risk. Most of the time i just pull off to the side...

So has it been the result of 1) modern owners actually needing all if it? 2) or is it Americans love affair with bigger, better, & more technology laden? I also note that the size of the payload bed continues to shrink all the while. (some 4 full size door models can't even carry a sheet of ply)
Personally i feel both are true: we now use pickups for in a wider range of activities, & want having it packed into one large size. But dang, the price & size
Hey, just as a simple metaphor to compare: look at the vat sized drink tumblers now served @ fast foods. do we really need it?

On the flip side, i've also noticed that especially since '08 crash, Detroit has done an outstanding job of producing more fuel efficient & modest sized passenger vehicles...strange. So tell me about the big pickup truck size craze. Again, not dumping, just observing.
Apologize in advance if this seems like an inane post, but i'm blown away every day of what the full size pickup has now become. best regards

What you must understand is this is not an easy answer, but to some degree guys get into a dick swinging competition to see who has the best/most expensive truck.thats why luxury trucks exist

 

[kfriis]

Got me. 99% of the trucks I see on the road are hauling nothing but their own bloated chassis and a whole lotta air. And fuel.
I’m not a fan of waste, so I bought a 20yr old V8 powered small/midsize truck, and it sits until I really need it. I barely need it enough to justify even that (and I live on wooded acreage). For most people, the truck is simply a tall car that gives them a good view and has the added bonus of making them feel rough and tough. I spent that money on an airplane, instead.

Username checks out!

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

I believe there are more than a couple of factors driving the large P/U trend.

1. Visibility - While not a "large" P/U my wife enjoys driving a Honda Ridgeline due to the greater view it affords of her surroundings.

2. Safety - Or the perception of. I have a daughter-in-law that thinks a jacked-up 3/4 ton is the only thing keeping her safe on the road. Especially after her last one ate a Lincoln.

3. Rugged - Appeals to those with testosterone poisoning. It may not be fast, but with my 35" tires and fancy stickers, it'll walk all over the top of your car (maybe).

4. Room - I'm 220 and 5' 11", which is fairly average among those of impending geezerdom. Most of today's cars are either uncomfortable to drive long distances or are difficult to get up and out of (I gave up on the Corvette I'd promised myself due to the entrance and egress issues.)

Yeah, the cost is insane. The new P/U I was considering as a tow vehicle for our 5th wheel came in at around $75K. My son mentioned that buying new something that expensive that wasn't going to see 10K miles a year seemed extreme and I reconsidered. I found an '08 F-450 with 62K miles at a 1/3rd the cost. Sure it's overkill and the mileage sucks, but $50K buys a lot of diesel, and it doesn't have one of those ridiculous center consoles.

 

[jjeff]

Don't have to imagine it .... have seen some new ones, and they're about as much of a land yacht as as some of the old Cadillacs. A coworker tends to flip/collect old cars, and if I recall correctly at one point he parked one of those old Cadillacs (think it was a '75 Fleetwood?) next to a collection of modern pickups

.... not much of a difference in overall foot print, but the trucks (crew cab with 6'4" bed) had much better handling/maneuvering in a tight parking lot than the Caddy.

Of course if a person goes pack far enough then the old pickup trucks wouldn't be considered "pickups" by that sheet of plywood fitting in the bed standard either ..... not sure there was a single 1930's model that'd meet that standard (I know the '35 and '37 Fords didn't - my father had one of each that he never got around to restoring)

I have wondered the same thing. I drive a base model 1997 Ford350 with roll up windows and wind wings. Every truck I have ever owned has power window issues so I’m good with going “old school”. I’m not concerned with gas mileage because when I need to haul something I want the power required to do the job.

All those fancy paint jobs and options are turning trucks into cars. No Thanks. The other day I saw an F150 selling for over $60,000 and thought there was some kind of mistake. It was so fancy no one would ever think of even taking it off the pavement. The funny thing is they are selling fast! It’s a crime against the “pickup we know” and grew up with. Thanks for your post as I thought I was the only one.

Used to have similar view on power windows till kids came into the picture used to enjoy driving when it's -5 and your toddler manages to get the rear window down with there feet lol. Can't beat the ability to lock out the kids windows.

 

[tmeric7]

I don't know what everyone else is thinking... I can buy a lot of toys for the price of a big new truck. A number of years back I bought a 68 F100 for $8k. I put at least that much into making it look and run great (mostly body and paint) so for under $20k total it's a truck that everyone admires, I can work on it myself, and I haul with it too. 360 cid 3-speed.

My dad bought a new Colorado several years back and had to special order a no-frills basic model with manual transmission. Nice truck for the price, which I believe is far less than loaded.

 

[Bentrim]

Have an 05 Chevy W/T 2 wd, sits low so I don't need an oxygen mask, just what I need a single cab, easy to heat and cool, 8 foot bed, 294 V eight with plenty of go , NO electric windows, locks or other niceties. They only thing I added was cruise. Just had to add the t/s stick to add it. Years ago (in the 70's)when I worked at a farm equipment dealer one of the mechanics drove a Ford with a short bed, unusual for that time, we often called it his :short buck truck" as he was a deer hunter. The manufacturers make those fancy trucks because the are a high profit item. People want all the gizmos in there trucks abd are willing to pay the price. Art the current price this will probably be my last truck.

 

[marhar]

I've often wondered in recent years how is it that American (& foreign) full size pick up trucks have become so large, luxury laden, and overwhelmingly expensive almost requiring a 2nd mortgage to purchase. (i'm not talking about those who make a living from their pickups, just everyday owners who cruise the country, malls, & trips to Lowes...)

What is your take? this is observation only, we all have our preferences. I'm talking sheer size & price. I travel narrow dirt roads almost daily, & drive very defensively around blind curves knowing most current pickups almost aggressively consume 2/3 or more of the road while insulated with power & luxury. That's ok, but puts me at risk. Most of the time i just pull off to the side...

So has it been the result of 1) modern owners actually needing all if it? 2) or is it Americans love affair with bigger, better, & more technology laden? I also note that the size of the payload bed continues to shrink all the while. (some 4 full size door models can't even carry a sheet of ply)
Personally i feel both are true: we now use pickups for in a wider range of activities, & want having it packed into one large size. But dang, the price & size
Hey, just as a simple metaphor to compare: look at the vat sized drink tumblers now served @ fast foods. do we really need it?

On the flip side, i've also noticed that especially since '08 crash, Detroit has done an outstanding job of producing more fuel efficient & modest sized passenger vehicles...strange. So tell me about the big pickup truck size craze. Again, not dumping, just observing.
Apologize in advance if this seems like an inane post, but i'm blown away every day of what the full size pickup has now become. best regards

Big Bubba, I agree. I think that it is the love affair with the truck. Remember when the suburban was a work truck? Now it is the soccer mom vehicle. The SUV has become a 4 wheel drive station wagon! Because no one wants to drive a station wagon.

 

[crashz]

I miss the jelly bean F150 style (1997 - 2003). Nice size and fairly stout underneath. QC wasn't the best, but not the worst either. I had a 97 and 01 (reg cab short bed, XL V6 trucks) and they were fun trucks to drive, had GREAT visibility and were respectable on fuel mileage. I wish I kept my 01 now.

 

[jjp8182]

Big Bubba, I agree. I think that it is the love affair with the truck. Remember when the suburban was a work truck? Now it is the soccer mom vehicle. The SUV has become a 4 wheel drive station wagon! Because no one wants to drive a station wagon.

..or they don't want it to be called a station wagon. Some of the modern SUV's/crossover vehicles look an awful lot like a station wagon that's had a lift kit installed and the body paneling updated to modern styles.......

 

[Flad]

I have a 2012 twin cab, triton 2.5 diesel pick up auto 4x4, Great unit for towing up to 3000kg Fuel consumption is not good and no where near what the specs say even from brand new, lucky to get 100km to 8lit empty, but it will sit on 100 to 110 kph max free way speed limit loaded all day, with diesel fuel at $1.32 Au, per liter at roughly $3.84 US per gallon, there is no way these big V8 trucks make sense to use as run arounds it would be just as cheap to run a single drive prime mover with sleeper cab lots of bling with a tray fitted to go shopping with and a much bigger pose taking up 2 parking spaces.

 

[jjeff]

Have an 05 Chevy W/T 2 wd, sits low so I don't need an oxygen mask, just what I need a single cab, easy to heat and cool, 8 foot bed, 294 V eight with plenty of go , NO electric windows, locks or other niceties. They only thing I added was cruise. Just had to add the t/s stick to add it. Years ago (in the 70's)when I worked at a farm equipment dealer one of the mechanics drove a Ford with a short bed, unusual for that time, we often called it his :short buck truck" as he was a deer hunter. The manufacturers make those fancy trucks because the are a high profit item. People want all the gizmos in there trucks abd are willing to pay the price. Art the current price this will probably be my last truck.

Short beds are definitely more manageable in the woods/ two tracks etc

 

[blee03]

I’ve always had a full size truck since I got my drivers license... it’s all I’ve ever known.

I’ve gotten to be the point where I’ve found the truck that suits me best, and it was under $19k

Everyone likes different stuff.
I like 1000ft lbs TQ with a heated steering wheel and heated/cooled seats. Also enough room for the dogs in the back (mega cab)

She’s my tow pig, but 100% daily driver too. Even though it’s a short box, it’s still on the long wheel base chassis which definitely tows better. Whatever I can’t fit in the box goes in the trailer.

There isn’t a small truck on the market that could do what I need it to do. Plus, a full size truck is way safer with all the people on the road that have sub par driving skills, lol

 

[Lab Guy]

A lot of this is driven by the stupidity of government regulation. If you are a tall or large person, even the allegedly big cars these days are not going to do it for you. Now, thanks to the environmental wacko crowd, the government is cracking down on trucks. The CAFE standards are an asinine regulation. People were buying trucks so they could take their family of four with them and some belongings without being stuffed in a small vehicle.

 

[SuperFun]

Trucks are crappy daily drivers, yet so many people use it for that. I drove a truck for years, because I only had 1 vehicle and needed the 4X4 capability. But then I got a sporty car and kept a truck for when I need it. So much better. I see so many trucks that have never been off road or towed anything. But many people buy them because they think they're cool. Or they think they're safer. In a multi car accident their size may help, but in a single car accident they're worse. Your more likely to roll in an accident. Watch the dashcam accidents on youtube, trucks often end up on their sides or rolling over. And because they're big and heavy they do more damage to smaller vehicle. I put less than 3,000 miles a year on my truck and over 10,000 on my car. My first choice is always the car. My truck is a 4x4 powerstroke diesel. Awesome truck, but terrible car.

 

[Alan46]

A lot of this is driven by the stupidity of government regulation. If you are a tall or large person, even the allegedly big cars these days are not going to do it for you. Now, thanks to the environmental wacko crowd, the government is cracking down on trucks. The CAFE standards are an asinine regulation. People were buying trucks so they could take their family of four with them and some belongings without being stuffed in a small vehicle.

Hey Lab Guy, please be nice "Waco Crowd"?☮️

 

[blee03]

Trucks are crappy daily drivers, yet so many people use it for that. I drove a truck for years, because I only had 1 vehicle and needed the 4X4 capability. But then I got a sporty car and kept a truck for when I need it. So much better. I see so many trucks that have never been off road or towed anything. But many people buy them because they think they're cool. Or they think they're safer. In a multi car accident their size may help, but in a single car accident they're worse. Your more likely to roll in an accident. Watch the dashcam accidents on youtube, trucks often end up on their sides or rolling over. And because they're big and heavy they do more damage to smaller vehicle. I put less than 3,000 miles a year on my truck and over 10,000 on my car. My first choice is always the car. My truck is a 4x4 powerstroke diesel. Awesome truck, but terrible car.

I always had a sports car too, in addition to my trucks. (4 Camaros and 1 Corvette - all LS1)

That got expensive, specially for insurance.

I decided a truck that was fast should fit the bill, and it did. Sure it doesn’t handle great, but it’s left a few sports cars in the dust. Nothing like being pushed back into your seat with the turbo singing...

 

[Cattleguard]

The carpenter or carpet layer who just wants a PLAIN half or three quarter pickup for work can’t find one and can’t afford one. And all the 2021 pickups have giant grills like some sort of creature. It’s all just stupid.

 

[jeffgreef]

I recently got a 95 Dodge Ram Cummins which the previous owner had done a lot of repair on. Paid $8,000. I know I'll have to put money into it, but far less getting a new one which doesnt have as good an engine.

 

[Pleease]

Trucks are crappy daily drivers, yet so many people use it for that. I drove a truck for years, because I only had 1 vehicle and needed the 4X4 capability. But then I got a sporty car and kept a truck for when I need it. So much better. I see so many trucks that have never been off road or towed anything. But many people buy them because they think they're cool. Or they think they're safer. In a multi car accident their size may help, but in a single car accident they're worse. Your more likely to roll in an accident. Watch the dashcam accidents on youtube, trucks often end up on their sides or rolling over. And because they're big and heavy they do more damage to smaller vehicle. I put less than 3,000 miles a year on my truck and over 10,000 on my car. My first choice is always the car. My truck is a 4x4 powerstroke diesel. Awesome truck, but terrible car.

My truck is a Honda Ridgeline, and while it handles my truck needs - which are fairly moderate - it's also a very good driving machine. It's not really "fun" to drive because there's no drama - it just starts, stops, steers/tracks very well. It's a compromise, like anything, but in my experience very good at the dual-function game. And I bet a decent portion of bigger pickup owners don't actually need more truck capability than the RL has. That said, I don't begrudge anyone for driving the truck they want; I like a lot of them myself.

 

[cabbydonkey]

Our most liked pickups have been the 1984ish Dodge Rampage and the 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The present 2005 Tacoma that we got back around 2008 has had only about 6-7k miles on it because we DON'T LIKE TO DRIVE IT. We liked the Rampage and earlier Tacoma. Toyota just kept making the T100 and renamed it "Tacoma"

Give me a pickup with radio, AC, heat, power steering and brakes and roll u/down windows and be able to wash the roof without climbing onto something. That was the Rampage and earlier Tacoma.

I've been looking for something used and affordable for occasional livestock hauling (yeah right... affordable.) Haven't found much in a price I could manage that wouldn't need extensive hauling and overhauling.

My daily is a '93 Toyota 2wd, 4 cyl 5 speed manual. It gets mid-20s mileage and people keep trying to buy it from me in parking lots. Currently has almost 1/2 million miles on one engine rebuild and one rear end change - lets just say the paint job needs new paint.

A buddy bought one of those pretty short-nose late 90s F150 4x4 trucks lifted way up - paid about $5k for it, managed to blow the head gasket from overheating his aluminum V8 and asked if I could help repair it. I quickly decided that wouldn't be happening, I couldn't get to most of the back of the engine with the overhanging firewall... I suspect Ford just pulls the body off the frame to do engine stuff, that was the only way I could see pulling heads would work. A mechanic told him "yeah we won't touch those with major engine issues." Nice job, Ford. I'd consider an older F150, especially with a 302. Cast iron head and block, thank you. No commonly broken spark plugs, overheat failures were fairly rare, but not impossible on anything if you operate stupidly.

I had a 75 chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Straight 6 250, I could pull the head in half an hour and slap in a new head gasket in a little more, and it got low to mid 20s gas mileage. It wasn't a comfy drive, and the doors never would shut right, but I miss it. BTW those doors were bare metal inside so they always had rust issues in the wetter states. Apparently they went from painting inside to saving money on painting inside by not painting.

When they started building trucks for people shopping for cars, that's when they went to fancy garbage. It also drove truck insurance rates up to car insurance prices, they were cheaper until trucks became popular to replace urban and suburban cars.