Why are Pickup Trucks so Popular?
I don’t own a pickup, and I’m definitely not a “truck guy”, but I can definitely see the benefits of having one. Pickup truck owners love their trucks. Even those that don’t have trucks seem to want them. My dad is a good example. He appreciates a nice car or SUV, and he has one of each right now. If somebody would ask, he would tell them in a heartbeat that, if money were no object, and he could pick any vehicle he wanted, he would choose a pickup. So why are they so popular? The answer really isn’t that complicated.
They are versatile. Just about any truck you can buy today is available with either two or four doors. A family of four or five can easily fit into an extended cab pickup truck. You can get a truck with an extended bed if you need to haul a lot of things on a daily basis. Trucks can also go just about anywhere. Being available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive, they offer the best of both worlds. They are practical for just about anything.
Generally speaking, pickups have a good record of reliability. They have a reputation for being tough. It isn’t uncommon to see a truck driving down the road that looks as if it was mauled by the Tyrannosaurus Rex from the movie “Jurassic Park”. They can take a beating and still go strong. They are the workhorses of the automobile world.
If reliability, sturdiness, and general toughness are not really important to someone, trucks can be easily modified to be a show truck for the streets. Aftermarket parts are readily accessible to those who own just about any pickup. Pickups are even used in both stock racing and drag racing. On the other side of the spectrum, the man who thinks that his stock pickup is not tough enough can also choose to go the opposite direction of low-riders and racing. Beefier tires, suspension upgrades, and exhausts can be added to make any truck look mean and sound even meaner. Trucks cater to everyone’s wants and personalities.
All of these things alone make a pretty convincing case as to why trucks are so highly desired. There are a few drawbacks. Trucks usually get worse gas mileage than cars, vans, and even most SUVs. They are also more expensive than many other types of vehicles. Because trucks are sought after, anybody who wants one has to pay the higher price for it. They are also usually not as comfortable on trips or commutes to work. Those who do want performance, speed, and handling without paying for all the upgrades to get it, will probably be disappointed.
All of this seems fair. Trucks are suitable for just about anybody. They are reliable, tough, and can go just about anywhere. This list could be complete right here! I don’t think that is the biggest reason for the American pickup truck’s popularity. I think it has more to do with some kind of emotional connection people have with a truck. Whether consciously or unconsciously, it seems that most have a connection to a truck that goes deeper than just the outward advantages of vehicle ownership.
It could be the memories of a father and his friends having an argument of whether or not the blue oval would beat the bow tie in the upcoming event. One might see the classic trucks at a show wish that they had the same so they could also show it off to the world. For me, it is a simple memory of how my grandfather just always had a pickup truck. No frills… nothing crazy… just a pickup truck in the garage all the time. Somebody might even get a truck to see how loud and crazy they could make it.
Whatever the case, emotions play a huge part in choices that everyone makes in life. The same can be said about choosing a vehicle to drive. A truck is a tool, but it is also a symbol. It is a symbol of the “American Dream”, of hard work, and of those in the past and in the present whom we love. A truck, no matter what kind, is an expression of the person who owns it.
You left out hauling. What other family vehicle can haul 8000 pounds of weight up, down, and over the Blue Ridge mountains across the flats of Texas, up and over the Rockies and into the deserts of Arizona. My truck has even seen the Pacific a couple of times. Coast to coast with 200,000 miles, and my truck has not given up yet.