Are trucks and SUVs on their way out?

[NCFronty]

No Country for Old Trucks - MSN Autos

[StormFrontier]

"They’re known as “air haulers,” because 99 percent of the time most of the trucks drive around with empty beds. These owners have now discovered that hauling oxygen — or 60 pounds worth of hound dog — at $4 a gallon isn’t worth the cost."

I'll admit, I'm guilty of this. I bought my Frontier because I'm a loyal Nissan nut, who didn't want to borrow someone else's truck if I ever needed to haul something. A Buell will soon be in my driveway.

[NissanTy]

my truck is used just to drive, i honestly don't need one but i like mine to get rid of her just yet, people always asked why i have a truck if i never use it i just tell them i like trucks and i love my truck.

[Bassi_Likes_Trucks]

I bought mine because i am a weekend warrior. you might not see as many people buying trucks that don't need them, but over all, I see nothing wrong with my decision to buy a truck.

[ToddG]

Sadly I too drive around empty a lot, probably 95% of the time.
The up side to this is that the other 5% of the time when I actually do have to haul something I'm not borrowing somebody else's truck.

Plus 4WD comes in quite handy here in the Pa winters.

[06nismoKC]

I for one do not feel the guilt. My truck is nicer than what is needed, and a 4 banger would have gotten me where I needed to be, but my truck IS a work truck and 95% of the time the bed is loaded with tools/supplies/materials for work. Once in awhile I empty it out to clean it, or use it to carry stuff to the dump, or for recreational use.

Every time I see a chromed out Hummer on the road, I feel pretty darn good about my 17mpg truck.

[tegrady]

I use my truck as a truck a lot more than most people that I know do, but it's still empty %90 of the time. I live out in the boonies and having anything delivered is usually out of the question.

[Zeek]

While we're at it - I've been seeing a LOT of sedans with 4 seats - but only 1 person in the car! Those people should be on a motorcycle or riding a pony! I'm writing 'no country for motoring at all, because we're not driving at full capacity 24/7'

I understand their point - sure. But we buy a lot of conveniences. I have a boat. I haul a lot of junk - but yeah 90% of the time my truck is carryng just me, or just me and my wife (with baby due in August that's 3 passengers!)

Trucks aren't going to be erased from the earth, but the fad definately is fading. Remember what smaller trucks looked like in the 80s? Nissan hardbodies? Do our trucks really need to be much bigger than that for most of us?? Car builders think they're in a nuclear arms race and every single vehicle needs to get bigger and heavier with every new model. Eventually someone will come to their senses.

[06_footy]

Originally Posted by Bassi_Likes_Trucks

I bought mine because i am a weekend warrior. you might not see as many people buying trucks that don't need them, but over all, I see nothing wrong with my decision to buy a truck.

yeh i agree i bought mine mostly as a weekend offroad truck that was easy to build on and a great foundation, it helps that its a great truck for around-a-bouts 2.

[khmaiaznboi89]

funny thing is my truck is full with tools so i only haul air like 10% of the time but 90% of the time im not working so i pull dead weight around killing my gas mileage but towing or hauling for my friends brings me back gas money. on a monthly basis i tow something for someone else 3-4 times cause everone i know has no truck or suv and the little subaru forester couldn't handle it. pretty soon i wil be following a trend my freinds, that do have trucks, are doing getting a motorcycle though in washington it rains like five out four seasons.