What Pickup Truck Owners in America Do with Their Vehicles When Not on the Road | Carscoops

      Ford, Ram, and Chevy are subtly altering truck features, potentially influenced by new data on owners' hobbies, ranging from DIY activities to tailgating.

      by Stephen Rivers

      DIY hauling tops the list of truck-owner hobbies at 57.08 percent.

      Trucks are increasingly geared toward tailgating and screen-based entertainment.

      Automakers are adapting to hobby trends with innovative truck designs.

      Pickup trucks continue to sell rapidly, not only because they are practical, sturdy, or equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine. We have previously discussed how the average truck driver utilizes their vehicle in daily life. Additionally, we have debunked common misconceptions about electric trucks, revealing that many do not hold true. Today, we will explore a different aspect.

      What shared activities do truck drivers engage in off the road? If you look beyond towing specifications, fuel types, and torque measurements, you will notice a common trend in how these owners spend their leisure time, which extends beyond tailgating and towing.

      The following data is provided by Strategic Vision, which surveys approximately 250,000 vehicle owners across the country each year. They inquire about everything from how often individuals drive for enjoyment to what hobbies they pursue outside their vehicles.

      Now, we will delve into the leisure activities that truck drivers enjoy when they're not on the road. Some findings may surprise you, but others could shed light on some design choices made by automakers.

      #5 – Camping

      As highlighted in our previous discussions, nearly one-third of truck owners venture off-road each month, with at least ten percent going significantly off-road, navigating only rocks, mud, and streams. Thus, it’s not surprising that 36.19 percent of truck owners consider camping a major pastime.

      The study doesn’t provide detailed insights into whether these individuals are towing campers or using rooftop tents, but it's clear they are utilizing a truck that empowers them to enjoy the great outdoors.

      #4 – Listening To The Radio

      Among the listed hobbies, I didn’t anticipate that listening to the radio would be so prevalent among pickup owners. However, that assumption may have been off base, as trucks are now quite an investment, and many buyers likely grew up during a time when radio was more mainstream. In fact, 38.45 percent of truck drivers identified this as a primary hobby.

      Automakers likely gather similar insights in their focus groups, which could account for the rise in premium audio systems in trucks.

      General Motors collaborates with Bose, Ford provides a high-quality Bang & Olufsen package, and Ram’s Stellantis-owned brand features a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon system and a 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere option.

      #3 – Watching TV

      In today’s culture, I would have expected this hobby to rank higher. Almost everyone watches TV, with 38.64 percent of truck owners recognizing it as a significant hobby in their lives. Truck manufacturers are accommodating this interest too.

      Virtually every modern truck on the market today, irrespective of size or powertrain, comes equipped with household-style plugs that can be quite useful for tailgating, especially for owners who might have a 40-inch TV in the truck bed.

      Furthermore, many trucks now feature large infotainment screens, rear-seat entertainment displays, and passenger-focused infotainment screens. For instance, Ram offers a 14.5-inch main screen that allows the driver to interact with content while the passenger can stream their own shows on a separate 10.25-inch display.

      #2 – Traveling the USA

      While trucks may not handle exceptionally well or be particularly fast, modern models serve as excellent road trip vehicles, provided the fuel expenses are manageable. A significant 44.45 percent of truck owners stated that traveling across the country is a major hobby for them.

      It’s easy to understand why. As one individual who logged over 125,000 miles on his motorcycle in just 125 days noted about his coast-to-coast journey, “It’s like sitting back and watching the National Geographic Channel as I go.”

      We’ve already pointed out how contemporary features such as screens and audio systems enhance the experience in trucks. Additionally, many trucks provide ample interior space in ways that few cars or SUVs can match. A lot of trucks come with very comfortable seating, some boasting massage features, and many equipped with semi-autonomous driving technology to facilitate long-distance travel.

      #1 – DIY Projects

      The stereotype might indeed hold true. When you arrive at a home improvement store and see a plethora of pickups, it’s not solely due to their practicality for hauling or towing. A substantial 57.08 percent of truck owners enjoy taking on DIY projects.

      Once again, there is a clear link between this hobby and modern truck design. Several manufacturers integrate practical tools into their trucks, such as rulers, protractors, and even essential math functions, to assist owners with these projects.

      The Takeaway

      It’s not surprising that truck owners enjoy camping, nor is