Ford reconsidering small truck for America.

[Raza]

You don't want manure, compost, live chickens , household garbage, or even freshly harvested garlic in your passenger compartment, do you?

I don't want any of that period.

[Byteme]

What's wrong with a small SUV then? If you're not hauling, what's the utility of an open bed?

(Honest question)

It makes no sense to me to buy a pickup if you aren't going to use the bed. 

I've spent the last few days trimming trees.  The pickup is parked out front with a load of tree trunks and branches in the bed - piled higher than the roof of the cab, and about two more loads in a pile.  An SUV would be useless for hauling that stuff.

I see people at Lowes all the time fighting to get their lumber, concrete, appliances, plumbing pipe and landscaping supplies in their Sports "Utility" Vehicles.  If you are needing to haul things a pickup is the only way to go.

[Madman]

It makes no sense to me to buy a pickup if you aren't going to use the bed. 

Agreed! 

I've spent the last few days trimming trees.  The pickup is parked out front with a load of tree trunks and branches in the bed - piled higher than the roof of the cab, and about two more loads in a pile.  An SUV would be useless for hauling that stuff.

You are correct, sir.

I see people at Lowes all the time fighting to get their lumber, concrete, appliances, plumbing pipe and landscaping supplies in their Sports "Utility" Vehicles.  If you are needing to haul things a pickup is the only way to go.

The only way to go?

[Eye of the Tiger]

With the trailer mod, I have a 4x8 pickup that can carry 900 pounds and still get near 30 mpg.

[Rupert]

What's wrong with a small SUV then? If you're not hauling, what's the utility of an open bed?

(Honest question)

Easier, no need to keep things clean, can load beyond the height and width of the cab.

On the other hand, I do have an Explorer (which I don't have any problem loading with a lot of stuff like engines, lumber, appliances, the lawn mower...).