At first, buying a truck might seem like buying a car. Choose a color, trim, and engine, and you’re ready to go, right? Not so fast. When you consider the unique uses for trucks and the increasing number of styles, you may quickly get lost in the maze of options. When you start configuring a new truck, you can easily end up buying more of a machine than you will use. Shopping for a car can be tricky, but you can find the right truck for your needs with the tips given below.
Full-Size or Mid-Size? Know What You Want to Carry
How you intend to use the truck will influence your final choice. If you just like the idea of driving a truck and don’t intend to transport anything significant, a mid-size truck like the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, or Chevrolet Colorado would be the best choice. They’re much easier to drive and park every day yet still offer a lot of utility. But if you plan to make full use of the truck, a full-size truck might be a perfect choice.
Cab Size and Bed Length
There are three major cab sizes when it comes to trucks. Single cabs have two doors and can accommodate up to three passengers. The second size is the extended cab, which features smaller rear doors and a back seat. The largest and most renowned cab size is the crew cab. With four doors and a spacious back seat, this configuration helps optimize the vehicle’s functionality. Be aware that cab size will affect the bed length, which is the next factor you’ll consider. Technically speaking, the larger the cab, the smaller the truck bed. The bed sizes vary depending on the manufacturer, but they’re about 5-6 feet long on mid-size trucks. On full-size trucks, they’re roughly 5.5-8 feet long.
Towing Capacity and Payload
Trucks are well-designed to hauling cars, boats, and campers behind them. The manufacturer’s manual will indicate the maximum weight the vehicle can tow or carry (payload). Both factors are influenced by the truck’s classification and size, which means larger and heavier vehicles can pull more weight behind them. It’s best you know what you intend to tow and research the specific vehicle you want to buy to determine its recommended towing capacity.
Truck sales differ considerably but so do the vehicle in question. Not only in size but also the price, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability, and safety. So, irrespective of how you intend to use your truck, it’s imperative you conduct comprehensive research so that you pick the suitable model.