Look at the full size trucks running around anymore, you will see they are almost empty, no cargo or load. People buy them just to drive around town and because they "need 4wd".
/rant start
I've started to look at buying a used F-250 next year -- something in decent shape (i.e. something some old almost-retired fart pulled their camper around with) so it can be my "nice" car in lieu of my beat-to-pieces Ranger with 225,000 miles on it. But that I can mount a good plow to, get a dump trailer to support some upcoming projects around my property, and eventually when the Ranger is beyond the cost of repairs become my primary woods truck.
The height of the beds on the F-250s and F-350s at least since the mid-90s is way, way too high IMHO. I just cringed Sunday when I was kicking the tires of a F-350 on a local dealers lot, who the heck wants to throw firewood into something that high? But I need something better mechanically and nicer interior then a 30 y/o truck for the once a week 100 mile round trip I do for work, as well as occasional business and social trips.
And it's NOT me. It's the trucks.
I just measured my Ranger and it sits empty at 29.5" load height (tailgate height).
Here's the plate off a 5/4 ton CUCV -- I can't tell if 30.5" is supposed to be the tailgate, or the tailgate is even lower then that when down...but it's in the same vicinty as my Ranger.
The current F-250 lists a 36" load height, and the F-350 comes in at 38"...I'll take a tape measure with me next time I go tire kicking, otherwise I'd only believe that load height if it's for a bed filled with freshly cut oak up to the roof top
I just can't figure out for the average truck that is supposed to work truck why they make them so back-breakingly high -- you can't reach over the side rails easily, you can't throw stuff in them at a comfortable height, you can't use the tailgate as a work bench at or just turn around and hop up on as a seat easily. I have no clue how you're supposed to use a toolbox mounted on one of these trucks unless you first open the tailgate and pull out a step ladder you carry around.
I don't even see how it meaningfully increases ground clearance given the size tires they ship with.
I don't know if it's just looks or if it's for accommodating soft springs for a better ride, but they sure as heck aren't designed for someone who wants to use a pickup truck as a pickup truck.
/rant over