Why would anyone own/drive a pick-up truck?

Question

We all know the angst 4WDs cause on the road with its size and gas guzzling properties. Some people justify it with the internal size and blah blah.. but what about those pick-up trucks that you see darting about town?

I think they're disgusting. Yes, they have seating space for 4, but what's the open bit at the back for? If 4WDs are bad, at least the space for luggage is covered (and more usable - but hey, I hate them nonetheless). Unless you're on a farm and regularly chuck tools and stuff on the back (or a Taleban with your gun toting gang going for a ride), what's the point of an open back?

Trades people, farmers, etc. - fair enough. Pick-up trucks were essentially designed for them.

But it's those gleaming ones that never leave the tarmac, double parking on narrow streets, clogging up streets in rush hour that get me going...grrrr...

To those who criticise my lifestyle for my dislike of 4WDs and pick-up trucks: I cycle, and the roof rack's on the back of my Ford Focus; I climb indoors and the car's sufficient for my needs; I go rock climbing and go with my climbing buddy's station wagon which is sufficient to the base camp from where we hike.

You don't need an obscene car to have a lifestyle.

If and when I move, I'll go and rent a van. I don't see the point of owning a large vehicle 365 days a year just in case I'd move, when I'm only likely to move every 5 years at most.

Answer 1

because these vehicles are designated as work vehicles they benefit from a tax break but more and more people are using them as everyday cars (like my old boss with his dodge ram) to take advantage of this loophole

Answer 2

Same reason people think they need to drive sports cars I guess. Everytime an accident occurs involving a 4WD truck or SUV the Truck or SUV gets blamed, when most of the time that idiot in the car is the cause of the accident. And most of the time the 4WD truck or SUV is going to win, why -- its bigger, weighs more and sits higher. That's why people drive trucks and SUV's is because they are bigger, can haul things and tow things. So can you tow my trailer behind your bicycle. What is the tow rating of your Focus? 0 pounds. Can't exactly haul anything in the trunk of that car either other than a few groceries and a very small suitcase. Next time you get the idea of harping on us Truck and SUV drivers maybe you better look at trying to fit some lumber in your car, or put some gravel in your trunk and try removing it. I drive a truck because my job requires pretty large tools, I.E. a bulldozer, front end loader, etc. Can you haul one of these with your car? The open bit in the back is called a pickup bed, for hauling practically anything including your bicycle. And with a truck you can actually haul your bicycle without overloading your car. As far as hauling guns "gun toting gang going for a ride" that's called hunting you moron. Apparently you city people are too dumb to know anything about the country. The point of an open back AKA pickup bed is so that you can haul large and bulky items, ever try hauling a refrigerator in your car, doesn't work does it. And if you owned a 4WD you wouldn't have to hike as far to go clime that hill, and if you owned a 4WD you would realize how much fun they are. I've owned quite a few different vehicles and I have to say I always love to return to my 4WD truck. I don't see the point of buying a truck that's 2WD either. Not all trucks are gas guzzlers either. I bet that I get about the same gas mileage in my Jeep as you do in that ford focus with that underpowered 4 cylinder engine.

Answer 3

Freedom of choice pal... You choose what you want to drive we can choose what we want. Your opinion is a valid one but then again why should you or anybody else dictate what anybody else can do? Green issues and the rest of the liberal party agenda are pretty ill thought out, where do electric vehicles get there charge from? Where do they disposes of there polluting led acid batteries?
Your Focus is a fine car, but it truly is an dull, boring vehicle. Whats wrong with freedom of choice? I personally dislike most Japanese cars for the same reason as above, but I don't feel the need to whinge about it (until now that is).
So if you fall from a great height on one of your many rock climbing expeditions what sort of vehicle do you think will come to your rescue? Wont be a Ford Focus will it.

By the way I don't drive a pick up or 4 x 4 (nor wish you to require rescuing by the way)

Answer 4

Hi, time for the little female to talk. Pick ups are useful for: getting mulch for the garden (I average about 20 loads a year), getting gravel for the driveway (about 20 loads of that and granite dust), getting dirt to level out my lawn (about 2 loads a year), hauling my new sofa home from the furniture store, bringing home antiques I bought at the antique show, and to bring home the bushes to landscape my yard. I am in no means a farm person -- I just have a yard, and a small one at that. However, I have no wish to dirty my Mini (the other vehicle) and use the truck for those uses throughout the year.

I too am concerned about gas mileage and emissions. However, while your lifestyle may indeed be different from others, please do not presume that the others need to match YOUR lifestyle. I refuse to start paying for delivery of the above-listed items when I have a perfectly usable 1986 Ford 150 truck at my disposal ... and yes, I know how to drive it!

Answer 5

Most pick-up trucks can go where cars can't, 4-wheel drive or not. On a farm, you may see a pick-up through the fields. My uncle has a pick-up (not 4-WD), although lives in town, you can drive a couple blocks,then turn through his fields. There's some land not used for planting. Just the ground used as a path to the farm house, you drive between 2 fields.(He mostly grows corn),yes we are in the corn belt of the USA. It would be rough riding in a car. As far as 4-WD's, you may get to a spot that a regular pick up won't go through.

Answer 6

It is called convenience.

That means that anytime you want, you can carry tools, materials, equipment, heavy stuff with no problem and without asking anyone.

Most people that drive pick-ups do not need more than 1 or 2 passengers, so the cabin space is almost never an issue.

If you are in a trades business, you definitely need no less than a cargo van, but a pickup is also desirable.

Answer 7

The L200 for example wont use much more fuel than your Ford focus and you will get twice as many miles from a set of tyres (30,000 miles on my Yokohama AT's and plenty more miles still left in them) I can carry my MX bike and mountain bike in the back or put the canopy on the back and carry my dogs with out the rest of the vehicle smelling like damp dog when they have been swimming and it doesnt look like something someones Grand parents drive.

Answer 8

Most people don't use the beds in their pick-up's every day, but its nice to know that you can when you need to. Just like 4WD.
Its a convenience, and if you can afford it, why not?

Can tow a boat, jet ski's, and stuff motorcycles in the back. Can load it up with junk for the junk yard, or pick up supplies from Home depot. You can fit the Dish washer you got for Christmas in it. When you move, you can throw all your crap in back and make a few trips. Can pack up tents, rafts, food, and supplies for camping. Or pick up a transmission or set of tires. - things I've used a pick up truck for in the last few months.


I guess I could have used a trailer....

Answer 9

The open back is for accepting loads. SUV's(Which you refer to as 4WD. NOTE: pickups come in 4WD also) usually are enclosed so it limits the size of the load. So basically if you want to have a great time and take a huge load in the rear, a pickup is what you are looking for!

Answer 10

I love to surf but i drive a Honda Civic. It's a ***** to have to strap my board down to the roof of my car every time i go. If I have to drive a while on the freeway to get to my favorite spot, the thing acts like a giant wing creating drag and killing my gas mileage. I'd love a pick-up so i could put it in the back and the cab would elim the drag.

Answer 11

Pick up trucks have many uses such as towing other vehicles, carrying tools, going places a car cannot etc.... I have a truck and a car. Mainly drive the car but the truck often comes in handy.