Anecdotally we started exceeding the towing capacity of our Tacoma. As a result, in 2022 we purchased an F-150. In other words we bought the top selling vehicle because our hauling needs changed.
Ok? Most people don't haul enough to warrent buying their own tow vehicle, just rent one for the few times a year you need it. Also, many smaller SUVs can tow a range of loads that most people need. If you exceed this then get a truck.
Also note that some places restrict by law how much you can tow. For instance I heard in Canada most vehicles are limited to 220lbs. That's the govt basically guaranteeing SUV sales.
It doesn't matter what specifically he is towing, he stated he needed the higher towing capacity.
You made the argument that you believed people should rent a truck or use a smaller SUV to tow most loads. And only get a truck if they needed higher towing capacity.
Your point appears to be "I agree with his vehicle choice".
Discussions are boring when they are simple assertions with no background or detail.
It's also very common for people to argue they need these large vehicles for activities they aspire to do more often, but in practise only do once or twice a year.
> Discussions are boring when they are simple assertions with no background or detail.
I think I agree. For example:
A simple assertion of the form "It would be more useful if he'd said what he was towing." by itself is boring.
It'd much more be interested why you need to know why someone who said "hey I was driving a Tacoma and needed more towing capacity so I got a bigger truck" needs to explain in more detail what he was towing to you.
Is it so we could have a discussion of how his boat or RV or whatever is or is not acceptable and rational to you? That would be a more interesting subject.
Perhaps you'd like to check the math or google the towing limits or have a discussion about suspension upgrades?
It would make a much more enlightening, dare I say entertaining, discussion to have included on what basis, morality, etc. you presume to have questions about his truck buying decisions and whether they were warranted or ethical. You must have an interesting job to be an expert on this.
Would it be OK to buy a truck for very infrequent towing, but then only use it when hauling or towing. Perhaps bicycling or running to work on a normal daily basis? Or having a responsible vehicle such as an EV or hybrid? Or maybe an E-Bike?
I wouldn't want to inadvertently do something immoral like improper daily use of an inappropriate tool.
Anecdotally I see a majority (90%+) people commenting on HN living in relatively urban areas and perhaps this is why you see trucks as wasteful - the closest thing to a working pickup truck they see is fellow commuters in vehicles that have never been off pavement without even a tow hitch, etc.
Perhaps visit the "flyover" parts of the land sometime.
Yes, if you're on a farm a pick-up truck could be useful. But the majority of buyers are not farmers (or even construction workers, though even a full-size van may be of more practicality). Pick-up trucks are far and away lifestyle vehicles for the vast, vast majority of owners.