[jjav]

> what confuses me is why Americans (and increasingly, Kiwis) need a vehicle the size of a Dodge Ram rather than one the size of a 1990 HiLux ute

Well depends what you need to do with, of course.

A quick search suggests that this Toyota can tow 3300lb (if the trailer has its own brakes, or only 1650lb if not).

So if you need to tow more than that, it won't work. 3300lb is very little, even our tiny (19ft) and light travel trailer is over 4000lb.

Of course, what is silly is the people with trucks that are never used to tow or carry anything heavier than a bicycle!

[walleeee]

The reality is that many people with a Ram are towing toys (boats, ATVs, etc) or, as you say, a travel trailer, not a work trailer. Which brings us to the question of need vs want.

Plus, if work vehicles became lighter, work trailers would be forced to as well.

[jjav]

> Plus, if work vehicles became lighter, work trailers would be forced to as well.

Try shopping for utility trailers. Anything affordable is very heavy steel & lumber. You can get light(er) trailers in aluminum but the price is much higher. I've never actually seen a contractor with one of those, too expensive.

And of course there is all the materials & equipment they're towing on it for the job. How do you suggest any of that become lighter?

[sgu999]

> Well depends what you need to do with, of course.

given your example it's "want", not "need"

> 3300lb is very little, even our tiny (19ft) and light travel trailer is over 4000lb

Quick googling tells me that most European caravans are sub 1500kg / 3300lb, even the more spacious ones, "very little" and "tiny" are really subjective

[jjav]

> given your example it's "want", not "need"

Yes, how is this relevant? "Wants" are what drive humanity forward, not mere subsistence.

> Quick googling tells me that most European caravans are sub 1500kg / 3300lb, even the more spacious ones

Can you post a few links? Tried to find the most popular travel trailer models in Europe but not finding a good list.

Unless you're building the whole thing from carbon fiber, anything spacious is necessarily going to have some weight.

[sgu999]

> anything spacious is

Ha, so it's spacious, not tiny and very little anymore...

Here's what seems to be the biggest one of that random brand well ranked on Google, 1330kg: https://www.caravelair-caravans.com/models/exclusive-line-58...

[jjav]

> Ha, so it's spacious, not tiny and very little anymore...

Playing gotcha word games is not the HN ethos.

To clarify, you brought up spacious travel trailers:

> most European caravans are sub 1500kg / 3300lb, even the more spacious ones

In contrast, the one I own is very small at 19ft, as mentioned upthread.