A new viral video has hit social media showcasing a highly unusual (yet incredibly functional) Chevy pickup. The Chevy has been modified with no rear bed, and at first glance, looks to be absolutely ridiculous. However, despite its stripped-down appearance, this bedless machine serves one very specific purpose. Indeed, as this truck proves, sometimes less is more.
As we can see from the clip, this Chevy pickup cab is pushing what looks to be an extended frame ahead of it, rather than towing it from behind. The rear section of the truck is completely missing, including, the bed, rear wheels, rear suspension, and drivetrain components. Although this might seem like an extreme case of “putting the cart before the horse,” this isn’t just a random backyard project – it’s actually a purpose-built rig designed for towing aircraft.
Sometimes referred to as “half trucks”, these modified pickups are used to move seaplanes around. The trucks specialize in maneuvering planes on and off boat ramps – by attaching an extended frame to the front, the driver can position a plane in and out of the water with greater precision thanks to the “rear-mounted” steering.
To achieve this specialized functionality, the Chevy pickup is modified so that the rear portion of the truck behind the cabin is removed and the rear driveshaft is eliminated. The gas tank and exhaust system are repositioned as well. Interestingly, some applications even invert the steering system, making it more intuitive to control when pushing a plane around.
While a traditional tow truck setup might struggle to move aircraft efficiently on steep or wet ramps, a half truck with a front-mounted frame has a clearer line of sight and better control over the aircraft’s movement, especially when dealing with limited traction or tight spaces.
It just goes to show – sometimes, the weirdest-looking vehicles have the coolest jobs:
Comments
At least they don’t have to worry about getting ‘rear-ended’.
This is where the term “Half ass backwards “ comes from!
That’s creativity and engineering combined.
Similar to the idea of a front hitch for easy trailer maneuvering. They are great.
It’s neat, but it’s also a bit sad to see what looks to be a very clean square body being cut up for the base.