Why do so many people buy pickup trucks for commuting?

Question

It's a terrible vehicle to use as a daily driver. It's easy to spin the rear drive wheels during any sign of rain much less ice or snow. Especially when going up a hill or freeway onramp. It's RWD with a light end so it oversteers and the rear end spins far too easily, even with an underpowered 4 cylinder coupled to an automatic. Also the ride is very brutal. You feel EVERY bump, every road imperfection. There is no cushioning at all. It's like sitting in one of those electric vibrating lazy boy chairs while cruising down the highway. A pot hole makes the steel frame jar with lightning force.

The truck feels so unstable. Doesn't track well, doesn't corner well. Panic manuvers are not possible. I've driven all sorts of pickup trucks. They are all like this but compact pickups are the worst offenders. i.e. Tacoma, Ranger, S10, Colorado, etc. They are terrible in bad weather.

What gives? Why do people keep buying them for daily driving?

Answer 1

they have small peepees, or they haul stuff a lot, thats about it

Answer 2

I move ALL the time. I don't think I've lived anywhere for more than 6 months since joining the military 5 years ago. A pickup comes in handy.

Answer 3

70% for utility and job use, 30% because guys think it's cool.

Answer 4

maybe the job they are with requires them to have alot of tools and other work-related material. We have a pickup truck that is used to haul things-does come in handy.

Answer 5

It is obvious from your question that you do not like trucks. Many people do not share your views. I have a truck and it handles well for me. I do not "spin the rear drive wheels during any sign of rain much less ice or snow". I know how to drive!

A truck has much more utility than a car or van. I can carry anything from lumber to auto parts to furniture. If I am driving one of my cars, and I want to make a purchase, I have to be concerned about it fitting in the car, and not messing up the interior! If I am driving my truck, I can put anything in the bed (tie it down with ratchet straps if needed) and go!

A truck will not handle like a sports car, they are two different types of vehicles. You have to adapt your driving style to the vehicle you are in. I expect my truck to handle differently than my Town car, and both handle differently than a sports car.

Many people find the utility of a tuck is well worth adapting to!

Answer 6

Because it beats the cost of renting one when you need one if you need one regularly.

My old Silverado actually rode very well. While I love the Wrangler I'm driving now, I sort of miss the Silverado.  

I have an F350 for work, but it's a pain to go to the office to get it if I need to do a weekend project on the house. At the time I had the Silverado, it was an incredible tool; I used it regularly for work, why should I have a second vehicle?

I will probably never get an aircraft engine into the back of the Wrangler. Moving my welder around is a challenge with the Jeep compared to the truck, and we're not even going to discuss trying to move my toolbox.

When we needed fresh nitrogen bottles, I couln't have used the Jeep for that. When I had to go pick up steel for a custom fabrication project, I couldn't have used the Jeep for that.

I think you'd be surprised at how regularly someone that buys a pickup winds up using for what it was meant to do; haul stuff.

As for traction, I added a toolbox to the bed and  250 pound steel plate. It wasn't a problem.

I used to have a game of trying to get someone who wouldn't notice behind me and taking railroad tracks at speeds of 45 or more.

For someone that needs, and regularly uses it, a pickup is a better investment than having to regularly rent, or annoy a pickup owner when you need to borrow it. Who's to say I shouldn't be able to drive it home or to work or the burger place because it's what I have and in the drive?

JT

Answer 7

No doubt some people buy them for ego. That's true with many vehicles. I own a sports car, and it's definitely an ego thing.

However, I think a lot of people buy them for utility. Pickups today are pretty nice, and I mostly disagree with you about the overall handling in the newer models. Why buy another vehicle just for commuting? Plus, it's pretty common where I live for families to keep a car or van for a primary vehicle and a pickup for the other vehicle. That means somebody's commuting in it!

Answer 8

ego