Pickups in the US

[Judas Priest]

Why does it seem that Pickup trucks are only so widely driven in the US?

The rest of the world gets the job done without them, even without a 400 hp V8. Just imagine

Over here, in my area, where about 200,000 people live, I think there might be 2 or 3 large American pickups. Construction companies generally use the type of trucks as seen in my pictures. My Iveco at work is pretty big. I can put a LOT of stuff into it, and if I need even more room, I just hang a trailer on it. I think it has a 2.4 liter Diesel with about 120 HP. Top speed is around 155-160 km/h. That´s enough for a work vehicle.

Lots and lots of cars have trailer hitches over here. There is no logical reason to drive a huge pickup with a huge engine on an everyday basis. We drive normal cars, and when needed, hang a trailer on it

We have a trailer similar to the one in the picture. You can lower it, load heavy stuff onto it using the built in ramp, and them pump it back up.

 

[RamblinE]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

Part outdated economic protectionism, part cultural status symbol. The latter I sincerely don’t get. The people I know who drive full-size pickups work in the trades and those trucks make them money.

 

[Dingman]

Here's one aspect - it's a macho image thing.

Then I would ask, what do your farmers use for general use work\transportation vehicles?

 

[Dingman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

Part outdated economic protectionism, part cultural status symbol. The latter I sincerely don’t get. The people I know who drive full-size pickups work in the trades and those trucks make them money.

I didn't know about that whole "chicken tax" think - that was very interesting. Everything is so complicated.

 

[Judas Priest]

Here's one aspect - it's a macho image thing.

Then I would ask, what do your farmers use for general use work\transportation vehicles?

The same as everyone else. They use a normal car or SUV with a trailer. But you also see a lot of tractors driving around on the roads and in town.

 

[Dingman]

I guess you're right @Judas Priest - we don't have nearly as many small family farms anymore, but even so...
The pickup is still something every farmer here has and uses (I'm in Iowa). And the pickups are advertised and sold for that exact purpose.
But I can't deny there are a TON of people driving large expensive pickups for no reason at all, that I can see.

 

[BamaBilly]

Because we’re free to choose what we want to drive? Also get ready for the “he’s compensating” remarks.

 

[djwhy60]

Because we’re free to choose what we want to drive? Also get ready for the “he’s compensating” remarks.

THIS! ^^^^^^^

 

[whoaru99]

Because we’re free to choose what we want to drive? Also get ready for the “he’s compensating” remarks.

It's USA, everything is bigger here. Houses, yards, bellies, roads, vehicles in general, etc., etc. LOL.

 

[BamaBilly]

Also you think having a massive work van (that gets the same mileage my truck) and then having another smaller car to drive around is better? I don’t get it

 

[Shominy]

My take (both have been mentioned prior)- status and testosterone. I'll also add that "everybody seems to be doing it" lemming stuff.

The testosterone thing- check around and see the gender who drives them. Very nearly to exclusion unless you are in the West with a work truck.

Americans are a strange offshoot of humans.

 

[djwhy60]

 

[Beatnik]

I could carry the whole state of Rhode Island in the bed of mine if I could get it up to the tailgate.

 

[Judas Priest]

Because we’re free to choose what we want to drive? Also get ready for the “he’s compensating” remarks.

We are also free to choose what we drive. The US is not the only free country in the world, you know.

 

[BamaBilly]

We are also free to choose what we drive. The US is not the only free country in the world, you know.

Yes I know I’ve been, it was a rhetorical. Just find it odd that you refer to trucks as “huge” but that truck in your picture is much bigger than my American made truck. Doesn’t perform as well in any category, gets comparable mileage and is worthless outside of work and we’re odd ones? I don’t see it that way at all but I also don’t care what you drive.

 

[Alobar]

Why does it seem that Pickup trucks are only so widely driven in the US?

Because basically we seem to have a lot of **** to move.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Trucks for me are for work, hauling and towing. They're a lousy substitute for a luxury car. And the consumer USA truck is too big, too powerful (and too many yahoos don't know how to handle one properly). Let's please tone down the aggressive, and get back to early-late 1970's sizes. Nice tools, not semi wannabees.

 

[GChief]

Also get ready for the “he’s compensating” remarks.

That goes with out saying, most are used as mini vans/sedans

Because basically we seem to have a lot of **** to move.
View attachment 2262642 View attachment 2262643

Sorry for the slide. How you like that trailer? Going to look at one when I get home from this trip.

 

[Alobar]

That goes with out saying, most are used as mini vans/sedans


Sorry for the slide. How you like that trailer? Going to look at one when I get home from this trip.

We like it well enough. This was sort of an upgrade from our old slide in camper which was just not big enough. Funny how when we moved from tents to RV's there never seems to be enough room! Our thing is camping in the north country, sometimes for a few weeks at a time. This is only a 20' trailer so if I were to say snowbird, I would want a bigger rig with slideouts etc, but then the 6.2 gas engine probably wouldn't cut it, so would need a Duramax, and so it goes! People would start accusing me of being on a penis envying ego trip!

 

[Erik Tracy]

My 2005 Chevy Colorado is hardly macho - so the 'compensating' thing is laughable. It's unassuming standard boring, but immensely convenient for my lifestyle. A trailer for hauling? Too much bother to hookup, store, park to haul, extra insurance cost.

Just last week I got 10 large bags of ground cover for a refresh project at my house. Hop in the truck and gitter dun at Home Depot.

But that's just me. YMMV - obviously.