Bright yellow trams are a nostalgic staple of the Wildwoods Boardwalk in New Jersey, carrying visitors at a leisurely pace past shops and sights along the coast. But recently, a Ford Maverick hybrid pickup wrapped in the familiar yellow Sightseer livery sparked a debate among locals and enthusiasts once they realized they might be looking at the future of the beloved trams.
According to a report from Wildwood Video Archive, the Ford Maverick tram hauler was unveiled on May 4th, 2025. Tram purists immediately took to the internet to voice their displeasure, assuming that the compact pickup would be taking over the trams’ jobs, eliminating the iconic engines that have been traversing Wildwoods Boardwalk for decades. Thankfully, that’s not the case – at least not yet.
The Maverick’s job is to assist existing trams, not replace them outright. The Sightseer team, which operates the trams, said that the pickup is simply a support vehicle, which will help the actual tram cars should they need a tow. The Ford Maverick will be tested as a towing vehicle over the summer, but there aren’t any official plans beyond that.
While the Ford Maverick isn’t coming for the trams just yet, the possibility isn’t being written off completely. Simply put, the existing trams are getting old. They need maintenance, and parts are getting scarce. In fact, Wildwood Video Archive estimates that building a new tram from scratch would cost $150,000.
The 2025 Ford Maverick, meanwhile, starts at $28,145 not including freight charges, and its 2,000-pound towing capacity is more than enough to haul the cars around the boardwalk. The hybrid variant’s 2.5L I4 engine paired with the hybrid system means it has more than 500 miles of range, an ample figure for traversing the boardwalk.
Commenters on social media have raised concerns about the possible switch to Ford Maverick haulers on the Wildwoods Boardwalk. Some worry the compact pickup might be too heavy, leading to increased wear and tear. Others argue it’s not strong enough to handle the job long-term and are concerned about emissions even though the Maverick is a hybrid. Still, a few defenders have stepped up, pointing out that the Maverick is only hitched to one of the eight trams currently in service, not replacing the whole fleet.
Comment
It is time to consider an electric tram hauler.