Are trucks still body-on-frame?

Yes. In 2025, most full‑size and heavy‑duty pickups continue to use body‑on‑frame construction, while a growing minority of light‑duty and midsize pickups have shifted to unibody designs.

Beyond that, the industry is at a crossroads: unibody trucks appear mainly in budget and compact segments to improve ride comfort and efficiency, but for towing, payload, and off‑road durability, traditional body‑on‑frame platforms remain dominant among the workhorses of the market.

What body-on-frame means

Body-on-frame (BOF) construction uses a separate ladder or perimeter frame to which the truck body is mounted. This contrasts with unibody (monocoque) designs, where the body and frame are a single integrated structure. BOF generally offers greater durability for heavy towing and off‑roading, easier frame‑level repairs, and more rugged aftermarket support, while unibody tends to yield lighter weight, smoother rides, and better efficiency.

Current landscape in 2025

Full-size and heavy‑duty pickups (BOF)

Full-size and heavy‑duty pickups that dominate commercial fleets and heavy‑duty use are overwhelmingly body‑on‑frame. Here are representative models that continue to rely on BOF architectures.

• Ford F-Series (F-150 and Super Duty variants)


• Ram Truck lineup (1500, 2500, 3500)


• Chevrolet Silverado


• GMC Sierra


• Toyota Tundra

These models underscore the industry preference for a proven ladder-frame platform when maximum payload, towing, and ruggedness are required. They also keep traditional aftermarket support and repairability intact for fleet customers and enthusiasts alike.

Light-duty and midsize pickups using unibody

In contrast, several lighter and smaller pickups adopt unibody construction to emphasize ride comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability. The notable examples on sale in 2025 include:

• Ford Maverick


• Hyundai Santa Cruz


• Honda Ridgeline

These unibody trucks cater to urban and suburban buyers who still want open‑bed practicality and some light‑duty utility, but with smoother on‑road manners and better fuel economy than traditional BOF pickups.

What this means for buyers

Shopper decisions increasingly hinge on your priorities—towing, payload, ride quality, and overall cost of ownership. Here are key considerations when choosing between BOF and unibody trucks.

• Towing and payload expectations: BOF models typically offer higher maximums, while unibody pickups excel in daily driving and light tasks.


• Ride quality and noise: Unibody trucks generally deliver a smoother, quieter ride and better cabin isolation.


• Maintenance and repair costs: BOF trucks have extensive aftermarket support and simpler frame‑level repairs, but could incur heavier wheel‑to‑wheel wear on rough terrain; unibody models may require specialized parts for certain repairs.


• Fuel economy and efficiency: Unibody platforms often achieve better efficiency due to lighter weight and streamlined architecture.


• Resale value and reliability perceptions: Perception varies by brand and segment, but BOF trucks in the full‑size category tend to hold value due to durability and longstanding demand.

In short, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize rugged capability or everyday practicality. The market now supports both paths with clear tradeoffs.

Industry dynamics and outlook

Automakers continue to weigh the benefits of BOF versus unibody as emissions regulations tighten and consumer preferences shift toward efficiency. Battery-electric pickups, plug‑in hybrids, and other electrified variants are expected to influence platform choices in the coming years. While unibody designs gain ground in the lighter segments, BOF remains the standard bearer for heavy‑duty work trucks and traditional towing/payload leaders.

Summary

As of 2025, the truck market is effectively bifurcated. Full‑size and heavy‑duty pickups keep the traditional body‑on‑frame construction for maximum durability, towing, and off‑road capability. Meanwhile, unibody designs have found homes in the Maverick, Santa Cruz, and Ridgeline segments, delivering better ride, efficiency, and everyday usability. Buyers should weigh their needs—heavy tasks and durability versus comfort and economy—since both architectures are represented in today’s market.

Are modern trucks body-on-frame?

Whereas this was the original method of building automobiles, body-on-frame construction is now used mainly for pickup trucks, large SUVs, and heavy trucks.

Are trucks unibody now?

Most pickup trucks are constructed with a body-on-frame design, which basically means that the cabin, bed, motor, suspension, and other components sit on top of the frame. Unibody trucks like the 2026 Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, make the frame and body one single unit.

What is better, body-on-frame or unibody?

Neither construction method is inherently "better"; the choice depends on your priorities. Body-on-frame is generally superior for heavy-duty tasks like towing, hauling, and off-roading due to its ruggedness, while unibody is better for on-road performance, fuel efficiency, and passenger safety in collisions.
 
This video explains the differences between unibody and body-on-frame construction and how they handle stress: 51sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · Sep 16, 2015
Body-on-frame

• Pros:
  • Durability: Better for heavy-duty use, towing, and hauling large loads. 
  • Off-roading: More flexible and resistant to twisting forces when navigating rough terrain. 
  • Repair: Cheaper and easier to repair, as the body and frame can be replaced separately if damaged. 
• Cons:
  • Weight and Fuel Economy: Heavier, leading to lower fuel efficiency. 
  • Ride Quality: Often has a rougher, less comfortable ride on paved roads. 
  • Safety: Less safe in crashes because it lacks the engineered crumple zones of unibody designs. 

Unibody

• Pros:
  • Safety: Safer in a collision due to integrated crumple zones that absorb impact. 
  • Ride and Handling: Provides a smoother, more comfortable ride and better handling on paved roads. 
  • Weight and Fuel Economy: Lighter, resulting in better fuel economy. 
• Cons:
  • Towing and Hauling: Lower towing and hauling capacity compared to body-on-frame vehicles. 
  • Off-roading: Not ideal for serious off-roading; less rugged than body-on-frame. 
  • Repair: More expensive and complex to repair if the frame is damaged. 

You can watch this video to see a visual comparison of unibody and body-on-frame construction: 1mTA Automotive technologyYouTube · Feb 8, 2025

Do full-size trucks use body over frame construction?

BOF construction is typically used for full-size trucks, large SUVs, and other heavier vehicles because it's capable of holding more weight and is more structurally tough.