most "1/2 ton" trucks like the F-150 have been near the legal max width (80") without needing extra lights for a long time, so that won't ever grow much bigge

most "1/2 ton" trucks like the F-150 have been near the legal max width (80") without needing extra lights for a long time, so that won't ever grow much bigger. Length looks to be very similar throughout the 2000s but generally it grew by a couple of inches depending on the config. Weight is also not hugely different. You would probably see a trend towards 4-door trucks that would elongate them on average and there has been a very clear trend towards increased frontal area and worse forward vision. That said, this is the same time period where the old Ranger died which was one of the few compact pickups left. when it came back it grew to a midsize and it wasn't until a decade after the ranger died that Ford release the Maverick, which is compact but doesn't have the towing capability or long bed options of the decade old ranger. So point being, I think there is a grain of truth to what the author is saying, but the evidence isn't well laid out and he should have presented more data about the various trucks available across the 2010's to make a stronger point.