The appeal of a pickup truck is clear—it’s a powerful vehicle that looks impressive, can support a variety of purposes, and leaves room for you to make custom modifications. A new pickup truck is no small purchase, though, so you want to be sure that the one you buy meets your preferences well. With so many parts and specifications to consider, you may quickly feel lost in all the options. To make the process easier, we’ve put together a short list of what to look for when buying a pickup truck. These are the main things to think about and base your decisions on.
Engine and Axle Ratio
The engine and axle ratio affects the power and fuel economy of your truck. With engines, you should determine what you plan to do with your truck and choose accordingly. If you’re just going to drive on streets most of the time, an engine that has greater mileage but less strength will probably be enough. But if you plan on beginning off-roading as a hobby with the truck, more power will be necessary to get you through the rough terrain. Note that diesel engines are usually included in heavy-duty trucks, but you can also get them midsize and light-duty trucks to aid in towing, too. As for axle ratio, a lower number will give your better fuel economy, while a higher number will trade that for better towing capacity.
Truck Weight
Another factor to look for when buying a pickup truck is the truck weight. While the engine and axle ratio have an influence on your truck’s maximum towing ability, they aren’t the only factors to consider for this aspect. The weight of the truck will also have a large influence on this. Manufacturers distinguish weights with the names light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty. A light-duty, or lighter, truck will generally cost less and will be easier to maneuver. As you increase weight, the truck will be able to handle heavier towing loads. You should already have an idea about whether you will tow anything or what the weight of your towing load will be. From there, you can calculate the weight that your truck will need and find out how to prepare your truck for towing.
Overall Size
In addition to the duty designations, manufacturers also categorize trucks by whether they’re midsize or full-size. This describes the truck’s overall dimensions and its associated power and fuel economy. A midsize truck will be smaller than a full-size one, with less interior headroom and legroom in the cabin. Moreover, its bed will be less spacious. Full-size trucks can also carry heavier loads and tow more. The tradeoff is that a larger, full-size truck will be harder to handle, especially in tight areas and narrow roads. You may even want to learn some tips on how to avoid truck accidents on road trips because it may be difficult to drive near wide semi-trucks on highways. They’ll also use up more gas in most cases. Full-size trucks necessarily have more power to move their huge frames, but their performance is often comparable to that of mid-size trucks when you look at acceleration stats.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
