Last Updated on October 9, 2024
Exploring the Enduring Allure of Trucks in American History
In 2016, pickup trucks from Ford, Chevy, and Ram were America’s top three-selling vehicles. Trucks don’t get the best gas mileage, and nearly 63 percent of the population lives in cities, where it’s simply more practical to own a commuter car. What’s more, a new truck isn’t necessarily an inexpensive prospect. So, what explains the popularity of trucks?
Whether it’s the capacity for hauling big loads, the freedom to abandon the highway and careen off-road through the countryside, or the capability to handle all terrain levels–from mud to snow, to sand, to rocky tundra–the pickup truck can do it all. Trucks are built for the American experience. Freedom, hard work, fun, adventure; here’s a view of what trucks mean to the country where they were born.
The History of Trucks in America
Ford has been the best-selling vehicle for the last 35 years. In the history of trucks, Ford is also the first manufacturer with the 1925 Model T Pickup. Henry Ford created the pickup expressly for farmers. Ten years later, component supplier Marmon-Herrington began converting Ford pickup trucks to four-wheel drive.
The first officially manufactured four-wheel-drive truck was the 1946 Dodge Power Wagon, which continued selling until 1968. In the late 1950s, all other truck manufacturers followed suit and offered four-wheel-drive trucks.
Because these early trucks were such a success, manufacturers began making trucks in different styles. Among the many types, flat-nosed pickups, crew-cab trucks, extended cab trucks, compact mini-trucks, and muscle trucks all followed throughout the latter half of the 20th Century. The 70s saw the advent of heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks, as typified by the GM 5.7-liter V8. Higher gas prices in the 80s helped small car-based trucks get big. In 2002, Chevy released the first SUV-truck mashup, the Avalanche. The 2000s also saw the rise of the luxury truck, such as the Ford Blackwood.
Trucks in America, ON and OFF-road
So why has a truck (the Ford) been the best-selling vehicle for the last 35 years? The US is a vast country with every type of terrain imaginable, from rainforests to mountains to deserts and prairie.
While the Census Bureau notes that 63 percent of people live in cities, cities comprise just 3.5 percent of the land area. There’s a lot of room to play. But there’s also a lot of work to do, whether you’re in town or country. With versatility, trucks cover both of these bases.
Nothing encapsulates this more than the Chevrolet Colorado.
Popular Mechanics named the ZR2 edition the number one off-road vehicle. It is specifically designed for the off-road experience. Upgraded suspension gives you more clearance; traction control helps you scale steep inclines; a wide wheelbase discourages rollovers; and locking differentials deliver 100 percent of available torque to the wheels, enabling you to negotiate snow, ice, and mud.
At the same time, mid-size Colorado gets 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is best in class for its size. This encourages city-dwellers who need a truck to haul loads, landscaping, construct, do other jobs, or impress their friends. If they want to get out of the city and try some different terrain, the truck allows them to do so.
Starting Off-Road
The options are plentiful for the off-road beginner. Are you interested in a full-blown trip? Look no further than America’s West. On the list of the ten best off-road trips, there are treks such as the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route, which has campsites and hotels and is well-suited for weekend warriors. Spanning from the Cascade Mountains rainforest to Eastern Washington’s high desert, it covers a lot of gorgeous country.
Utah’s White Rim Trail is so scenic and accessible that you’d be wise to reserve a campsite ahead of time. On the 100-mile trail, you’ll glimpse sandstone arches, towers, buttes, rivers, and old Native American ruins. Mountain bikers take this trail, too; it’s perfect for the off-road beginner who wants to try out that traction control with a truck bed full of camping gear and lots of water.
Preparedness is essential for any off-road trip, particularly California’s Rubicon Trail, where 33-inch tires, a three-inch lift, a roll cage, a fire extinguisher, and a first-aid kit are highly recommended.
Trucks in America: Preparedness & Adventure Through the Ages
More than anything, the wildness of this huge country requires the off-roading adventurer to be prepared. From the time of the first pilgrims, through Lewis and Clark and westward expansion, clear up until now, being prepared for anything the elements can throw at you has been a big part of being American.
A well-modified and rugged pickup truck is the embodiment of this preparedness. Four-wheel drive means you don’t have to rely on roads. You can throw mud terrain tires on your car if you don’t want to get stuck in the mud. Snow tires offer the most traction if you’re concerned about snow and nasty weather. Lift kits, roll bars, breathers, and intake modifications are just a few of the changes you can make on a truck to prepare it to go anywhere.
The American way, Truck-style
Although many people who live in cities don’t need a truck for their everyday activities, the car has become a symbol of toughness and self-reliance–a symbol of what it is to be American.
The rest of the world is fascinated by this. In an article asking why America is so in love with the pickup truck, the UK’s Ryan McElroy says, “The pickup truck has refashioned the country in its image. The humble pickup is America: the living embodiment of the working spirit, the American dream with four wheels and a V8 engine.”
He also points to more practical reasons for the truck’s success. The US is more than 3.8 million acres in size, so our economy depends on the efficient transportation of goods and people. After introducing the Model T Pickup, we could engineer and build infrastructure to maximize the efficiency of truck transport. Because of its importance to the economy over the years, the government hasn’t placed tight restrictions on pickup truck fuel economy. But that’s changing.
Innovation and Efficiency in Trucks in America
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration passed new emissions standards for medium—and heavy-duty trucks in 2016. The US is cleaning up its act on trucks, and you can be sure manufacturers will be able to meet new standards because innovation is also part of the American way.
If you want to go off-road in your truck while still achieving good fuel economy and efficiency, there are several innovative off-road tires for the street. Among these, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 has features that could improve your truck’s fuel economy by up to 2 percent. Every little bit counts.
As we move into a new era of fuel efficiency, trucks will continue to be an American standard for work and play. It’ll be exciting to see where trucks go as vehicle technology evolves. Let the good times roll!
Conclusion
Trucks have long held a special place in American culture, representing vehicles and a way of life. While the landscape of trucking is evolving with the introduction of stricter emissions standards and a focus on fuel efficiency, the enduring appeal of trucks as a symbol of freedom, adventure, and hard work remains unchanged. As we look to the future, it’s clear that trucks will continue to be a cherished American pastime, adapting to new challenges and innovations while retaining their iconic status on the road.
FAQs
Why are trucks so famous in the USA?
Trucks in America are famous for their historical significance in the agriculture, construction, and transportation industries. Their rugged versatility, towing power, and the sense of adventure they represent have made them a symbol of American culture.
How popular are trucks in America?
Trucks are extremely popular in America. They consistently rank as the top-selling vehicles, with pickup trucks being a favorite among consumers for work and recreational use.
When did trucks come to America?
Trucks have been in America since the late 19th Century. The first motorized truck, the “Motorwagen,” arrived in 1896, marking the beginning of the trucking industry in the USA.
What is a lorry called in America?
In America, a lorry is typically called a “truck.” The term “lorry” is more commonly used in British English.
