I'm a typical leftist car guy in that I see everything for its strengths and weaknesses. Yeah, the F-150 Raptor is awesome, but so is the little Subaru. You're right, the U.S. interstate system has evolved in a way that makes traveling in kei trucks dangerous. I hate the fact that automobiles are so engrained into society that not having one is just not an option. I also hate the fact that 95% of people buying a truck would be better served by a mid-size wagon, because they never haul anything over 500# anyway, and just use it as a family car. Fun fact, trucks are made on an 'archaic' body-on-frame platform, rather than the monocoque structure that cars are made of. Before the 1959 Austin Mini, every car used to be made body-on-frame, and it was only the Mini's runaway success that made every automaker switch to monocoque. Trucks have to be built on the ladder frame, because those payload and towing numbers actually matter to those who believe they'll need a 'real truck' to do 'real truck things.' There are a few trucks in the USDM that are made on monocoque chassis, the Honda Ridgeline being the first. The new Ford Maverick is also monocoque. It makes perfect sense because the consumer doesn't actually want all the sacrifices of a truck, they just want to lead the 'truck lifestyle.' Anyway, there was my little spiel, I guess.
TL;DR F-150 Raptor is awesome, so is the little Subaru. Trucks are made from an 'archaic' construction technique called body-on-frame, necessitated by the need for high payload and towing numbers. After 1959 all cars were made on a monocoque platform, which is advantageous in many ways for a passenger vehicle. It's just that people want a 'real truck' to do 'real truck things' with, and if they were honest with themselves they would realize their needs would be much better served by a mid-size wagon.
I'm a typical leftist car guy in that I see everything for its strengths and weaknesses. Yeah, the F-150 Raptor is awesome, but so is the little Subaru. You're right, the U.S. interstate system has evolved in a way that makes traveling in kei trucks dangerous. I hate the fact that automobiles are so engrained into society that not having one is just not an option. I also hate the fact that 95% of people buying a truck would be better served by a mid-size wagon, because they never haul anything over 500# anyway, and just use it as a family car. Fun fact, trucks are made on an 'archaic' body-on-frame platform, rather than the monocoque structure that cars are made of. Before the 1959 Austin Mini, every car used to be made body-on-frame, and it was only the Mini's runaway success that made every automaker switch to monocoque. Trucks have to be built on the ladder frame, because those payload and towing numbers actually matter to those who believe they'll need a 'real truck' to do 'real truck things.' There are a few trucks in the USDM that are made on monocoque chassis, the Honda Ridgeline being the first. The new Ford Maverick is also monocoque. It makes perfect sense because the consumer doesn't actually want all the sacrifices of a truck, they just want to lead the 'truck lifestyle.' Anyway, there was my little spiel, I guess.
TL;DR F-150 Raptor is awesome, so is the little Subaru. Trucks are made from an 'archaic' construction technique called body-on-frame, necessitated by the need for high payload and towing numbers. After 1959 all cars were made on a monocoque platform, which is advantageous in many ways for a passenger vehicle. It's just that people want a 'real truck' to do 'real truck things' with, and if they were honest with themselves they would realize their needs would be much better served by a mid-size wagon.