which is a massive pickup truck that gets half the mpg of my SUV
That is subjective, you can get trucks with 6 cyl, and pretty good gas mileage, though it defeats the purpose
Get a cap or bed cover...
You do realize that trucks have roofs right? Also, you can put roof racks right on the sides bed, inside the bed, or on top of a cap.
and sucks even worse for towing due to so little weight on the rear wheels?
Show me the SUV that can tow 12klbs. Trucks are always better at towing than an SUV, the longer wheelbase increases the resistance to being pushed so you don't need as much weight in the back.
If you don't know what the hell you are talking about, don't open your mouth and show yourself to be ignorant.
My Tundra is great for Boy Scout trips, I have the cargo capacity for me and my two kids, I can carry two more kids comfortably, and I can tow the troop trailer with ease. The SUVs are nowhere near as good at it as my truck.