What's a truck?

"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy) 04/17/2014 at 13:08 • Filed to: Truck Yeah!

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I've seen a lot of CUVs, Wagons and small SUVs getting posted on Truck Yeah! and I am confused. What makes something a "Truck" anymore? Is the Subaru Outback really a truck? The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet? Something small like the Colorado - it's clearly a "truck". But I am surprised to see so many of what I would call 'high wagons' on Truck Yeah. I would think Truck Yeah is for things people think of as Trucks.

I suppose it's just something I find annoying. Is it not even worth the discussion? But if it's not, why even subdivide into 'trucks'? It's really just more jalopnik.

AMC/Renauledge > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 13:09

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The EPA classifies the Outback as a light truck. Kinda silly, I know, but it has to do with ride height and interior packaging, apparently.

HammerheadFistpunch > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 13:13

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TruckYeah aint no EPA or DOT, they can post what they want. They could post a lifted civic 4wd wagon if they wanted (they should)

But for the interest of debate, a debate I have a lot actually, I would classify a truck as a vehicle that was designed at the outset with work or loads in mind and has optional 4wd.

deekster_caddy > HammerheadFistpunch 04/17/2014 at 13:17

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Sure, I understand that and am fine with it. I just get annoyed personally. Something like what you put in this picture absolutely could be part of a truck discussion - it's lifted for some reason (offroading presumeably).

duurtlang > HammerheadFistpunch 04/17/2014 at 13:17

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It needs one of these too

deekster_caddy > AMC/Renauledge 04/17/2014 at 13:17

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Hmm. Did not know. I thought it was a wagon.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 13:18

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The Outback is technically a 'light truck' according to the EPA...

Devilishprune > AMC/Renauledge 04/17/2014 at 13:19

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I would agree with that. When I see the new outback, or even the xc70 (I think that's the volvo I'm thinking of), I would classify both of those as smallish-SUVs and not wagons. If it's not car height then it's not a wagon, to me anyway.

HammerheadFistpunch > duurtlang 04/17/2014 at 13:20

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I thought about including that as a requirement, but didn't, intentionally. The thing is, if it was designed for work, it will probably have one, because its hard to get good GVWR without one, but still.

Andrew P. Collins > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 13:24

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Hey Deekster, I feel you. I won't deny there are a lot of vehicles on Truck Yeah! that don't count as true trucks. Here are the main reasons, for now:

1. Truck Yeah! is primarily about trucks, but it's also about truck culture and utility vehicle culture. A Subaru Outback isn't a truck, but it's got enough in common with what a truck is all about (terrain capability and cargo utility) that it's logical to share it in the Truck Yeah! world.

2. We can't always find enough great stories about truckly trucks, so some other "pseudo-trucks" like cute utes and such have to step in to fill the gaps.

Will it always be that way? Not necessarily. But while Truck Yeah! is still young we're still trying to figure out what works. Thanks for posting this though, y'alls feedback is important to help us dial-in the site!

AMC/Renauledge > Devilishprune 04/17/2014 at 13:25

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Trouble is, the PT Cruiser and HHR, which have the same ride height as the compacts they're based on, are also classified as light trucks.

AMC/Renauledge > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 13:26

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It is. Just a lifted one that sails through the EPA's loophole. The AMC Eagle coupes, sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks were all classified as light trucks, as well.

Big Bubba Ray > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 13:28

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I think Truck Yeah believes that anything bigger than a Corolla is a truck.

Stef Schrader > AMC/Renauledge 04/17/2014 at 13:54

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Yeah—I can get "light truck" brake pads for the Lancer because it shares calipers with the Outlander, which gets tossed in with the "light trucks" as well.

deekster_caddy > Andrew P. Collins 04/17/2014 at 14:16

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Thanks for the response! Personally I'm not a fan of CUVs, Minivans etc. I'm not saying you should only cover bro-trucks either, or only specialize in tow ratings. I like most of what you guys post. Recently it seems like a lot of light duty stuff.

How about a good followup to the SAE tow rating debacle and how manufacturers are coming along at standardizing their tow ratings? ;)

deekster_caddy > Andrew P. Collins 04/17/2014 at 14:21

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Sorry for adding additional posts. It's hard to get my thoughts totally clear on the subject. Some things definitely fall into the 'truck' category, like the guy who offroads his Outback through a dirtbike track at 50 MPH (been a passenger in one when he tore the front bumper cover off, I thought he would deploy the friggin airbags)... well that's sort of truckish. But for the most part, so many of these things (another commenter above mentioned the XC70) just don't seem like trucks.

Random thought about minivans - in their early days (think '84 caravan etc), my dad always hated them because he said it was the manufacturers way of trying to build a station wagon that didn't have to meet crash or smog regulations - just make it higher and classify it as a light truck, and all the regs changed. So that bias has somehow stuck with me all these years. Full size van = okay. Minivan = cheating. I'm pretty sure safety standards have come a long way on minivans, but I actually don't know what the requirements are behind the scenes. Would love to hear more about that!

Philbert/Phartnagle > deekster_caddy 04/17/2014 at 23:54

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A truck is a truck is a truck and sometimes no one gives a fuck.

Hell it doesn't really matter does it?

I mean we are all here to talk about anything and everything automotive no matter where they pop up, right?

If it does matter, maybe someone should start an SUV/Van/Station Wagon/CUV page too?

deekster_caddy > Philbert/Phartnagle 04/18/2014 at 08:50

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I get it, yeah. But I'm saying why have a separate page for 'truck' stuff if it's got a bunch of cars on it. (I will always think of the Outback as a car, I know the EPA rates it a truck)

Oh well. I'm still waiting for the SUV craze to pass from 25 years ago so we can just have 'trucks' and 'cars' again. You can see how well that went. I'm the kind of person who says "Nice station wagon" to my friend who has a minivan.

Philbert/Phartnagle > deekster_caddy 04/19/2014 at 00:38

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I understand and agree with you, I was just joking and forgot to put the "wink" or J/K at the end.

Gene > deekster_caddy 04/19/2014 at 17:34

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It's simple. A truck is a vehicle that you are not worried about throwing 300 pounds of manure and week old dead fish in the back and let sit for another week before hauling off to the dump. That's a truck.