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The Reason Why Are Trucks Getting Bigger

(toddofmischief.blogspot.com)
173 points yasp | 3 comments | 11 Aug 22 13:06 UTC | HN request time: 0.406s | source
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paulgb ◴[11 Aug 22 13:54 UTC] No.32425596[source]▶
This is an interesting theory, but there's a way to test it: if it's true that trucks have gotten bigger to avoid the light truck definition, we should see a proliferation of light trucks just long enough to avoid the classification.

[Edit: I originally cited 280cm as the wheelbase cut-off from [1], but on a re-read, it's more complicated; see below.]

The best-selling vehicles:

F-series pickup[2]: 392cm

Dodge Ram[3]: 367cm

Chevy Silverado[4]: 373cm

Correction/Edit: The relevant definition for a light truck is based on a number of criteria which relate to the wheelbase but don't actually specify it. If someone wants a fun trig problem, you could determine whether these vehicles are designed to be just long enough to satisfy the requirements listed here [5].

[1] https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/p...

[2] https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/f-150

[3] https://carsauthority.com/2023-dodge-ram/#:~:text=2023%20Dod....

[4] https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/specs/...

[5] https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/p...

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1. bombcar ◴[11 Aug 22 14:01 UTC] No.32425711[source]▶
I suspect that a driving force of "large truck" is vehicles getting expensive enough that people don't buy two - whereas in the past you might have a commuter car and a family van and a weekend hauler, now you have to get one vehicle that fits all those roles.

And nobody wants to drive a minivan so they opt for a truck (need the bed) but they also want to be able to haul four people, so they go for a crew cab.

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2. bliteben ◴[11 Aug 22 14:16 UTC] No.32425957[source]▶
Don’t forget, parents will be judged for having a carseat in the front seat.
3. rascul ◴[11 Aug 22 14:58 UTC] No.32426736[source]▶
> I suspect that a driving force of "large truck" is vehicles getting expensive enough that people don't buy two

I don't drive enough outside of work to justify the costs to keep my car on the road in addition to my truck. I would have preferred a cargo van instead of the truck though, but they were 4x the price when I was buying.