It’s not about utility, it’s about status. The data is clear: most truck owners don’t use their trucks for any real work. Statistically, they’d be better off renting one from Home Depot for the rare weekend project. Actual tradesmen often prefer vans, compact Japanese pickups with larger beds, or beat-up U.S. clunkers that can take abuse.

Men buy these oversized trucks because they think it signals masculinity, helped along by decades of marketing that equates small cars with weakness. Underneath that posturing, they’re just comfortable, well-equipped consumer products. A giant waste of money, but perfectly aligned with a culture where consumerism props up the economy.

The underlying message is simple: “I’m tough, and you’re stupid for not wasting the money like I did.” It’s the same psychology behind bidding wars for overpriced real estate and every other form of conspicuous consumption.