4 ms·

Where'd you find that usage data on trucks? I'd love to see it, especially if the people running the study broke down the usage of the truck by commercial vs re

Where'd you find that usage data on trucks? I'd love to see it, especially if the people running the study broke down the usage of the truck by commercial vs residential ownership and rural vs urban location. Would you mind linking it? You don't want people thinking that you just made up a number

bombcar 4y ago
> According to Edwards’ data, 75 percent of truck owners use their truck for towing one time a year or less (meaning, never). Nearly 70 percent of truck owners go off-road one time a year or less. And a full 35 percent of truck owners use their truck for hauling—putting something in the bed, its ostensible raison d’être—once a year or less. https://www.thedrive.com/news/26907/you-dont-need-a-full-size-pickup-truck-you-need-a-cowboy-costume https://www.thedrive.com/news/26907/you-dont-need-a-full-siz... So they're close on towing but way off on the bed. It also overlooks that people who only buy ONE vehicle are best off buying a truck or largish SUV so it can do "all they ever need" - to have a small car you kind of really need to have a second vehicle that's larger, or it gets quite annoying.
- estebank 4y ago
  The thing I don't get is that a common retort to critiques of the usage patterns is "who can afford to buy two vehicles!?", but if you look at the cost of these trucks, and the number of comfort features they are marketed with, the market could provide a work truck at a lower price point with enough left over for a comfortable more reasonably sized vehicle. And that's what tradespeople in other countries (where purchasing vehicles is usually felt more in the purse) do: own a base model work van and an everyday car. But people who work in offices that own trucks? Those are purchased not to move the odd couch while also giving a lift to 6 people, it is pure cosplay.
  - MerelyMortal 4y ago
    That covers insurance, parking, maintenance, etc?
- rizzom5000 4y ago
  > It also overlooks that people who only buy ONE vehicle are best off buying a truck or largish SUV so it can do "all they ever need" - to have a small car you kind of really need to have a second vehicle that's larger, or it gets quite annoying. Logically, it appears to be a trade-off between money and convenience. The money argument is trivial as the total cost of ownership is basic math. The convenience argument is less obvious to me as it's very inexpensive to have Lowe's/Home Depot ship to home and hiring someone to haul a couch once a year is also much less than the cost to own a truck versus a car. There is also the moral argument if you care about such things as climate change and being a role model for others in your community; and whether or not your need to own a truck/SUV outweighs those considerations in your own mind. The one argument that does make logical sense to me is the one around safety. Outside of that I agree with the other commenter and would suggest that for the majority of truck owners, it's mostly cosplay.
  - bombcar 4y ago
    The convenience argument is huge - the additional TIME hassle for the Lowes truck/hiring someone is substation if you have the money to not have to think about it. A modern SUV can get quite decent gas mileage, too. Obviously there are people who buy an F350 just to drive to work for no good reason, but it's not as clear-cut as "nobody ever needs a truck/SUV and anyone who buys one is ontologically evil". I don't know the "actual new vehicle" cost breakdown, but I wouldn't be surprised if the average car price is quite high, comparable perhaps to the average truck. Most people who are "price sensitive" don't buy new anyway, and a number of manufacturers aren't selling cars at all anymore, only SUV/trucks.
    - rizzom5000 4y ago
      Totally agree that the rare times I need to rent a truck, it's a major hassle. I wonder if there is an opportunity for an Uber/Lyft type of truck share service.
      - bombcar 4y ago
        I've started to use delivery from places like HD, it's often not that expensive. The problem with the little rental truck is you have to drive it back and get your car. For largish but still not huge truck items Uber "SUV" might work, but most people just call their friends with a truck. A smallish vehicle with a trailer hitch is pretty good, but you have to know you're going to get something big so you bring the trailer.

bombcar 4y ago

> According to Edwards’ data, 75 percent of truck owners use their truck for towing one time a year or less (meaning, never). Nearly 70 percent of truck owners go off-road one time a year or less. And a full 35 percent of truck owners use their truck for hauling—putting something in the bed, its ostensible raison d’être—once a year or less. https://www.thedrive.com/news/26907/you-dont-need-a-full-size-pickup-truck-you-need-a-cowboy-costume https://www.thedrive.com/news/26907/you-dont-need-a-full-siz... So they're close on towing but way off on the bed. It also overlooks that people who only buy ONE vehicle are best off buying a truck or largish SUV so it can do "all they ever need" - to have a small car you kind of really need to have a second vehicle that's larger, or it gets quite annoying.

estebank 4y ago
The thing I don't get is that a common retort to critiques of the usage patterns is "who can afford to buy two vehicles!?", but if you look at the cost of these trucks, and the number of comfort features they are marketed with, the market could provide a work truck at a lower price point with enough left over for a comfortable more reasonably sized vehicle. And that's what tradespeople in other countries (where purchasing vehicles is usually felt more in the purse) do: own a base model work van and an everyday car. But people who work in offices that own trucks? Those are purchased not to move the odd couch while also giving a lift to 6 people, it is pure cosplay.
- MerelyMortal 4y ago
  That covers insurance, parking, maintenance, etc?
rizzom5000 4y ago
> It also overlooks that people who only buy ONE vehicle are best off buying a truck or largish SUV so it can do "all they ever need" - to have a small car you kind of really need to have a second vehicle that's larger, or it gets quite annoying. Logically, it appears to be a trade-off between money and convenience. The money argument is trivial as the total cost of ownership is basic math. The convenience argument is less obvious to me as it's very inexpensive to have Lowe's/Home Depot ship to home and hiring someone to haul a couch once a year is also much less than the cost to own a truck versus a car. There is also the moral argument if you care about such things as climate change and being a role model for others in your community; and whether or not your need to own a truck/SUV outweighs those considerations in your own mind. The one argument that does make logical sense to me is the one around safety. Outside of that I agree with the other commenter and would suggest that for the majority of truck owners, it's mostly cosplay.
- bombcar 4y ago
  The convenience argument is huge - the additional TIME hassle for the Lowes truck/hiring someone is substation if you have the money to not have to think about it. A modern SUV can get quite decent gas mileage, too. Obviously there are people who buy an F350 just to drive to work for no good reason, but it's not as clear-cut as "nobody ever needs a truck/SUV and anyone who buys one is ontologically evil". I don't know the "actual new vehicle" cost breakdown, but I wouldn't be surprised if the average car price is quite high, comparable perhaps to the average truck. Most people who are "price sensitive" don't buy new anyway, and a number of manufacturers aren't selling cars at all anymore, only SUV/trucks.
  - rizzom5000 4y ago
    Totally agree that the rare times I need to rent a truck, it's a major hassle. I wonder if there is an opportunity for an Uber/Lyft type of truck share service.
    - bombcar 4y ago
      I've started to use delivery from places like HD, it's often not that expensive. The problem with the little rental truck is you have to drive it back and get your car. For largish but still not huge truck items Uber "SUV" might work, but most people just call their friends with a truck. A smallish vehicle with a trailer hitch is pretty good, but you have to know you're going to get something big so you bring the trailer.