this post was submitted on 15 May 2025
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You're in luck (maybe?): Telo truck, Slate truck, or even the newer Ford Maverick. The first two aren't in production yet, but Mavericks look like a great size.
I can confirm that the Maverick is pretty much exactly the same size as a '90s Ranger, having parked my Ranger next to one before. The proportions are pretty different though, with the Maverick having a larger cab (four doors) and a proportionally smaller bed. A Maverick (and probably the other two you mentioned) would definitely be a good choice for people who think they need a truck for personal use.
However, there is one problem with all of those vehicles, which is that none of them are actually trucks.
You can tell the difference between a truck and a not-truck (a car-based "ute," like an El Camino) by the fact that there's no gap between the cab and the bed. Real trucks have body-on-frame construction, not a unibody, and can have the pickup bed replaced with custom flatbeds or utility beds or whatever.
In some sense it often doesn't matter because a unibody ute would fit most people's needs just fine. Until you want to do actual truck stuff, and then it matters. For example, the Slate Truck is rated to tow 1000 lbs, the Maverick is rated for 2000 lbs (or 4000 with the tow package), and a '90s Ranger is rated for up to 6000 lbs. (Mine can't do that -- it's an I-4 manual 4x4, which is the worst configuration for towing -- but an appropriately-configured V6 automatic 2WD one can.)
Isn't the towing capacity based on engine and trans. How would the metal skeleton have a direct result on towing?
Wait, seriously? A 1000lb towing capacity is just insane. If you threw a hitch on a Honda Civic, it would do better than that.
Telo supposedly will have a 1600 pound payload capacity and a 6600 pound towing capacity. They also advertise being able to fit a full 8x4 sheet of plywood with the tailgate up. It really looks like the truck I would want to buy if I ever decide to start a landscaping business. It's also significantly more expensive than slate or a maverick.
Source since I couldn't find payload or towing capacity on their site: https://electrek.co/2025/03/06/hands-on-and-first-ride-in-telos-tiny-electric-truck-thats-as-big-as-a-mini/
Yeah, it seems like it's in a different class than a Ranger/Maverick/Slate, at least in price if not size.
It also seems like they're still in the "throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks" part of the design phase, talking about things like the midgate and the storage tunnel under the bed that might double as a footwell for third-row seating. Between that and the almost-cabover design (which I kinda like, but which would be pretty unpopular among people who care about crumple zones) I'm pretty skeptical that the Telo "truck" will make it to production, especially while keeping all those promised features and specs intact.
Edit: also also, I could be wrong, but I think there's a point where towing capacity gets limited by how small the towing vehicle is in terms of weight and/or wheelbase, regardless of how strong its motor, brakes and frame might be. I'm a little concerned the Telo might be pushing that limit.
I agree that we're in the "wait and see" phase with regards to what features make it into the production line. I hadn't really considered those other limitations on towing, but it's also not something I need to do on a regular basis currently.
I have actually had my eye on both the Telo and the Slate, very interesting concepts. I also appreciate the slightly smaller Maverick, but wish it had a bit more bed and/or a bit less cabin.