In 2000 after having lived in Texas for 20 years I decided to buy a 1977 Ford F-150 with a 460cid V-8 engine. I outfitted it with a nice set of 2" exhaust and loud mufflers, so I'd get a nice rumble while I drove. (That was the reason for the truck, after all. I love the sound of a big V-8.) I really enjoyed driving that truck, and the sound. It only got 10mpg, but I didn't care--it sounded wonderful! Someone stole it from right outside my office in 2001. It has not been recovered. Bummer!

flashguy

I would say very few pickup owners ( my swag is under 10%) actually have a dedicated use for one.
How many high end range rovers driven in suburban neighborhoods ever see off road use?
Even keep wranglers are a fashion statement for a large percentage of users.
I owned and used hard a couple wranglers, and it makes me sad seeing a clean shiny keep , and get a big smile when I see one mud covered

Only had a truck once and it was a hand me down I drove for a couple of years before going to a car.

I've never bought a truck, been tempted, glad I didn't as I did what I had to do with cars. We have a Highlander and that's not even a real SUV. If I need to move something, I'll rent a truck or a trailer. When gas prices are high, I really enjoy my Civic with gets 39+ mpg.

If I were to ever get a truck, I might end up with a Honda Ridgeline, I read it rides like an SUV. Doesn't do as much heavy truck stuff that a truck does but I just don't see myself ever really needing truck stuff done to the point where I would have to have one.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

So I got to wondering. Anybody bought a truck just because?

In Texas it's a law.

Isn't every month truck month in Texas?

Im 53 and have owned trucks since 1990. Just ordered a 2022 Chevy 3500HD SRW gasser. Should be here in the next couple weeks. So, the answer to the original question above is, NO!

Who the heck does not need a truck?

With a couple of exceptions while stationed overseas, I've owned at least one truck since 1974. At one time, I briefly owned three. Mostly GM, a couple of Dodges and now the Toyota. Mostly 1/2 tons, a couple of 3/4 tons and one SRW ton truck (an'89 K3500 Chevy with the 454. What a beast!) Couple of Dakotas in there. Never have owned a Ford.

Currently I have a '13 Tundra Extra Cab. It's pretty, it's comfy and it tows my 18' trailer with the tractor and an attachment with ease (5.7 V8) Those are the good things.

The "extra cab" means a 6.5 foot bed. I have a lockable tri-fold top on it so it's more like a giant trunk than an actual truck bed. If I want to carry anything over 6' long, I grab one of my trailers.

If I pay attention to my right foot, I can get 17mpg out of it. 15 is more usual. If I'm towing the tractor, 10 or 12. Eeeesh.

Truck will be 9 years old in April and has 63,xxx miles on it so it doesn't get used a lot but when I need it, it gets used like a TRUCK and that shows. Bed is pounded up pretty good, and a few minor dings here and there on the outside.

Given the price of new trucks, I'll probably drive it until the wheels fall off, by which time it's unlikely I'll need another truck. Probably want one, but won't need it. Might go back to a mid-size by then if I do decide to get another truck.

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Originally posted by HayesGreener:
Who the heck does not need a truck?

This. I don't know how I'd get through life without mine...it gets used all the time for hauling all sorts of crap. It's 20 years old (I bought it used 11 years ago from an ag service company) and it shows, but it still does everything I need it to. It's extended cab with an 8 foot bed...yeah it's long, but I park out in the boonies and walk, it's good exercise (and usually faster than waiting for all the lazy a-holes to get out of the way when they're fighting over all of the spots up close). I wouldn't own a truck with anything less than an 8 foot bed. It makes hauling lumber a lot easier, rides better, and allows room back there behind my toolbox for bikes or whatever else I want to haul, and I can still keep the tailgate closed. Just like going with a Suburban over a Tahoe for more cargo capacity, I just don't see any advantage to going shorter.

I've had a pickup since 1977 . I've helped a few family members move but I don't get pestered about it much at all . I'll always have a truck . That's just the way it is .

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Originally posted by selogic:
I've had a pickup since 1977 . I've helped a few family members move but I don't get pestered about it much at all . I'll always have a truck . That's just the way it is .

Oh yeah...meant to mention that. I've helped daughter(s) and grandson move but other than that, this ain't Atlas Van Lines.

I've loaned various trailers out to a selected few with fairly decent luck. Dale the Builder borrowed my trailer several times and finally realized he needed to get his own. Dropped a granite block on it one time and busted a plank. Seeing as we scratch each other's back on a regular basis, I told him "you buy the plank, I'll fix the trailer".

Only real problem I had (and it was minor) was a kid I was sort of mentoring got in the habit of borrowing my little trailer and I'd have to go to his Grandma's house and retrieve it when I needed it. He's since grown up a little and after a short discussion is MUCH better about bringing it back as soon as he's done with it.

I am small in stature and round in belly.

The biggest issue I have is that trucks have become so oversized that they just don't fit me.

A mid-sized truck fits me. But it doesn't do what I need a truck to do.

I would say most people?

I like to mess the guys I work with when they mention “leveling kits” for their or other trucks. I tease them and say “You know what a loving kit means right?” Or “You know who puts leveling kits on trucks right?” (People who don’t need trucks)

If it was only feasible to bring back rifle/shotgun racks.

I have three pickups, but only one is licensed. My 1935 and 1974 Fords are comfortably sitting in garages. Only the 1995 Chevy gets used. Not all the time, but enough that I couldn't be without it. The rental properties give me plenty of need for the truck.

Even though I haven't been truck driving for three years now, a few months ago I purchased a 1998 Kenworth T600. It has a 2004 CAT BXS Acert. I just couldn't pass up that 15.3 liter diesel and compound turbos. I may spruce it up a bit and put it on the road, or I may just go pet the fender every once in awhile and reminisce.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If it was only feasible to bring back rifle/shotgun racks.

I remember those days . They're long gone now .

I bought a Jeep Gladiator little over a year ago. I wanted a Jeep to flat tow behind our motorhome, and thought what the hey why not get the Gladiator model. I don't really need a pickup, but have to admit this li'l booger comes in handy.

No.

I have shit to do, and have / have had boats, motorcycles, atvs, lawnmowers, bicycles, storage units, hunting and fishing camps, camping trips, chest freezers, woodworking tools and the associated 2x4s/plywood, plumbing parts like PVC, and etc.

No, I needed one as the small little gas efficient car was not doing it anymore.
I have been slowly cleaning out the house after buying it from my father 5 years ago. There's tons of crap and I load up the truck, drive to the huge dumpster at work and throw crap away.
Bought the truck in late October and I'm happy. 1st truck I've had since 2003.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:
I have no idea why,maybe it's all those truck commercials (esp the Ram but don't want thread to veer off on brand disputes!).

I maybe could use a truck once a year when I need to get the lawn tractor down to shop but for other purposes like buying 30 bags of lime or mulch the Expedition does the job. Yeah a truck would be easier but not the only option. Could always rent a trailer in either case.

So I got to wondering. Anybody bought a truck just because?

There is probably a decent argument that 60% or 70% of people buying trucks (excluding businesses) don't really need one.

And using it three times a year to carry a sheet of plywood and twice for ten bags of mulch doesn't count as "need."

There is nothing wrong with having one even if you don't need it. Knock yourself out.

Why do people feel the need to have to justify a truck? Having grown up in Texas, trucks are more or less the default vehicles for most folks, at least in my sphere. I do understand this isn’t normal in all parts of the country, especially up north it seems, but I’m not sure why. I’ve never needed a truck for work, but for personal activities and home use…. I guess I do a lot of biking, boating, camping fishing/hunting, etc. Also, trips to the local Home Depot or Lowe’s most every weekend. I’ve had one car in my life and and that was a hand me down I drove in high school. Since then, I’ve always driven trucks or truck based SUVs. Can’t even imagine having a car as my main vehicle…. Need should have nothing to do with it. This is America after all, isn’t it?

A truck is simply a more utilitarian vehicle. The argument for 'need' is subjective.