The Great SUV Debate

[Scott K]

That maybe your opinion, but in Fords opinion, those are all trucks! That list would also include minivans, aka Windstar, Freestar, Freestyle, etc.. I was taking it right from Fords web site. So this is the manufacturers opinion, and not my personal one.

[20lbSloughShark]

My opinion is that if it is designed for towing, or hauling loads, its a truck. I think older explorers, f 150's, etc. are trucks. Excapes, new explorers, etc. are cars. An El Camino is a muscle car. I'm a little confused on jeeps. I just call them a jeep. I asked a mechanic, and he says my 94 explorer is more of a truck than plenty of new pickups. My 2 cents.

[caseymcq]

You'd really love the little ol' Finns up on the Range and in the Arrowhead that call their Windstars and Caravans "trucks".

[LightningBG]

SUV's aren't trucks, they are SUV's. Doesn't matter if they are cross-overs with unibody frames or Suburbans they are still SUV's not trucks. Can't put a load of gravel in them...can't tow a fifth-wheel with them...but you can go to the mall and grocery store when it's snowing with them...

Then this little guy must not be a truck.

Almost 26K lbs, 7.2L Cat Diesel Engine

[20lbSloughShark]

SUV's aren't trucks, they are SUV's. Doesn't matter if they are cross-overs with unibody frames or Suburbans they are still SUV's not trucks. Can't put a load of gravel in them...can't tow a fifth-wheel with them...but you can go to the mall and grocery store when it's snowing with them...

The f-650 above can't and a ranger can?

[caseymcq]

Almost 26K lbs, 7.2L Cat Diesel Engine

Pffffffffffffft... Soccer Mom-mobile

[Big Tom]

Subarus are cars and they also say something about your sexuality (if its a subaru wagon).

Says the guy that makes everyone take off their shoes before coming on the boat.

[Dave S]

Even if you're wearing Mandels? Speaking of which, are they even shoes?

[LightningBG]

Says the guy that makes everyone take off their shoes before coming on the boat.

Wow, talk about a blast from the past. Good memory sir.

And yes, that's how it goes when the 22ft boat comes with a 6 figure price tag.

[deadeye]

Its all about the frame. Most SUVs are trucks in my mind, but not all. and crossovers are not trucks either. Subarus are cars and they also say something about your sexuality (if its a subaru wagon).

LOL at that! I guess my Outback speaks more than I thought it did about me LMFAO! I don't really care what people think though cause its been the best vehicle that I have owned to date. And...at least I am not compensating for a lacking in 'other' areas with a gigantatruck. HAHA

Anyways, I think to the manufacturers, it all adds up to what the fuel economy and cargo capacity is for them to classify it as this or that. If I remember right Chrysler call the PT Cruiser a truck and GM calls their copy of it the same. LOL at that.

Personally, I think a "truck" has to have a full frame for me to call it a truck. Whether it be a Ranger or a Superduty. SUV's and have a fully enclosed passenger/cargo compartment. Trucks have a passenger cab separate from the cargo area. I will call either a truck cause I will put a dead animal in the back of either without worrying about it.

[LightningBG]

I will call either a truck cause I will put a dead animal in the back of either without worrying about it.

I hear ya on that. I pulled up to a store one day with a deer in a sled, in the back of my SUV, with its head kinda poking up into the front seat. The girls at the checkout thought it was a travesty to put a dead animal in such a nice SUV (just an Envoy, nothing actually too nice). But I use that "truck/suv" for about everything you could imagine. I can even fit 10ft 2x lumber inside and close the tailgate.

[Big Tom]

Says the guy that makes everyone take off their shoes before coming on the boat.

[deadeye]

LMAO at that.

[LightningBG]

Makes sense to me now. Congrats, though it wouldn't fit my style.

It stuck with me because I have a 15 year old Crestliner Pontoon that does a lot of fishing, camping and even duck hunting in a year. It looks it's age. Whenever someone spills the bait, a beer or even a Bloody Mary, I give 'em the stink eye and gruffly say "Hey, watch it. I'm pretty particular about how my boat looks." And then of course they usually react by spitting even more of their beverage all over the place.

Merry Christmas to all. Off to the in-laws.

Doesn't fit my style either. I'm more content in the 14ft Alum fishing boat with month old worms jammed under the seat. But some in my family have other tastes. Its an antique wooden boat from the 30s fully restored.

[KatoMike]

The primary purpose of an SUV is to haul people. A truck's primary purpose is to haul stuff (dirt, rock, feed).

[dougger222]

The deer in the SUV reminds me of a few years ago when a part timer was working his full time job as a lease return trucker. He'd come to the job sites in all sorts of newer Lexus's and Benz's. One day we took one of the top of the line barely used Lexus suv's to the lumber yard to pick up a couple squares of shingles. The look on the guys face who loaded up the shingles!!! He said he'd never put shingles in a back of a high end vehicle.

Also,

Since my 99 F350 dually long bed 4x4 only goes on pavement, gravel, and ice it's just a car? Don't tell that to my "pick up"! One would think it a truck when it's pulling the 15,000 pound dump trailers.

If a full frame means it's a truck my body guy is restoring a 1969 gto pick up for me right now!!! Wonder if I should have him put on some ladder racks??? (On top of it)...

[Valv]

The primary purpose of an SUV is to haul people. A truck's primary purpose is to haul stuff (dirt, rock, feed).

Amen !!

[BehindtheHead]

in my mind:

a truck has dual rear wheels. might have 2 axles or 6 axels. straight truck or a semi.

a pick up has a bed in the back for hauling stuff. 4x4 not all wheel drive.

a suv is what your wife drives in the winter or what you drive, no offense. it has all wheel drive usally not 4x4.

[BehindtheHead]

The primary purpose of an SUV is to haul people. A truck's primary purpose is to haul stuff (dirt, rock, feed).

i like the way you put that.

[JeffB]

My wife drives an SUV(enclave), I drive a pickup, and I haul grain with trucks. I know I'm right because I paid for them. You can call your atv's, utv's and suv's anything you like and I won't argue after all you wrote the check. Then again you can call my pickup a cream puff, since as someone posted earlier who cares.