I like vans and own a van. However, in addition to the bed being outdoors, lined with a shell and having no roof, truck suspension can also receive heavier loads without risk of damage. They also have a higher clearance, which has some utility off of roads as well as allowing the truck to settle with a heavy load without affecting its safe path or speed as much.

It’s a good thing for consumers that the two vehicle types have so much overlap in utility.