Let’s face it – the Ford F-150 is one of the biggest trucks on the road. The Ford F-150’s size may even be a bit intimidating, and the truck has gotten a reputation for being one of the toughest vehicles available. Some people may not remember that there wasn’t always a time when the F-150 wasn’t as sizeable as it is right now since so many are used to the gigantic build that is available today. So, when did the Ford F-150 get so big?

The Ford F-150’s size wasn’t always as large as it is now

The first generation F-Series made its debut back in 1948, and chances are, no one imagined that it would evolve into the colossal truck that it is now. However, for most of its production, the Ford F-150 was a standard size for a full-size truck. Now weighing in at 6,010 to 7,350 pounds, Ford reports that the truck has a height of 75.2 inches to 79.8 inches, making it one of the most impressive-sized vehicles that there is.

So, given that the F-150 wasn’t always as massive as it is now, when did it get so big? According to Car and Driver, it was with the 11th generation Ford F-150 series, which was introduced in 2004, that the size began to increase noticeably. The regular and extended cab options were bigger, and the redesign was more focused on comfort than it had been in the past.

It was the 11th generation that was geared toward the increasing number of buyers who used the truck as their primary vehicle, so it makes sense that the automaker would begin maximizing space for this reason. More drivers began using the truck for families, and Ford began marketing the F-150 for this purpose.

Large trucks are a trend across the segment

Back in the 1980s, Axios reports that about half of all pickup trucks were classified as small or midsize. Drivers would agree that this is not the case today since the size of most trucks increased considerably to accommodate more passengers and fit customers’ lifestyles. The cab size got bigger while the beds shrank. In fact, data shows that many owners never use their trucks for the purpose of hauling or towing, and experts say that huge trucks are being driven by customers’ self-image, becoming a trend across the segment.

Ginormous trucks are gaining popularity pretty quickly since the transition from work trucks to personal vehicles has increased in the past few decades. As a result, large trucks seem to dominate the roads, with so many drivers finding the size of these vehicles to be appealing.

Bigger half-ton trucks of the Ford F-150’s size a good or bad thing?

Bigger trucks are all the rage lately, but are they a good or bad thing? According to the website Auto Influence, a half-ton truck is useful when it comes to hauling and towing. They provide plenty of room and comfort, and drivers certainly don’t have to sacrifice luxury like they once did when it comes to a half-ton truck.

It is also important to keep safety issues in mind. Between 1990 and 2021, the weight of pickup trucks increased by 32%, meaning that they hit pedestrians with more force. The increased size of modern trucks could be more dangerous in the event of an accident as well, and for these reasons, Ford recognizes that “safety is top priority” offering features such as automatic braking, 360-degree cameras, and more, making the new, bigger models a good choice for drivers.