Trucks: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Pickup Truck

What's in this article?

Why Do You Need a Pickup Truck?
Things to Think About Before Buying Your Pickup
Size
Style
Fuel type
Types of Trucks
Full-size trucks
Midsize trucks
Electric trucks
Luxury trucks
Diesel trucks
Insurance Options
How to Buy the Pickup That's Right for You
Conclusion

Trucks: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Pickup Truck

Are you thinking about picking up a pickup truck but don't know where to start picking? Well, look no further.

This definitive guide will help you answer the most common questions about buying a pickup truck. And in the end, you will have all the tools you need to purchase the best pickup truck for your needs.

Why Do You Need a Pickup Truck?

A pickup truck, or pickup for short, is one of the most popular vehicles on the road today. But what exactly gives rise to its popularity?

First of all, pickups are easy to operate, affordable, and come in various sizes and styles.

Second, they are also generally more powerful than SUVs, so they can carry heavier weights. Towing capacity is important, especially if you frequently pull trailers or boats or haul heavy equipment or furniture around.
Last, a pickup truck is usually worth more than an SUV, making it easier to recoup your money once you are ready to sell your old model and move on to a new one.

Things to Think About Before Buying Your Pickup

Pickup trucks are light-duty vehicles that straddle the line between trucks and SUVs. Not quite powerful enough to be a heavy-duty truck, but much stronger than most SUVs.

There are many different models and brands on the market. Still, the defining features of a pickup truck are its enclosed cabin (either two-seater or four-seater) and its back end, which is enclosed by walls on three sides and does not have a roof.

It's the ultimate vehicle for moving a range of items, from small to big.

Here are three key factors to think about before buying your pickup:

1. Size

The size of your family, how often you use your vehicle, and what type of load you haul will determine the best choice for you. For example, a full-size truck might be overkill if you plan to carry lots of kids' toys around town.

On the other hand, if you regularly transport large items like furniture or appliances, a medium or compact truck could be just right.

2. Style

There are a wide variety of styles when it comes to pickups. You'll find regular cab models, crew cab models, double cabs, and even extended cabs. Each style offers advantages and disadvantages, depending on whether you're looking for something practical or luxurious.

For example, a regular cab model is easier to maneuver, but it doesn't have rear seats for passengers. On the other hand, crew cabs are perfect for carrying multiple people and cargo. Still, they tend to be smaller than regular cabs.

Double cabs usually provide plenty of interior storage space but aren't as spacious as crew cabs. And extended cabs give you the maximum amount of space inside the cab. Still, they lack the versatility of regular or crew cabs.

3. Fuel type

You'll probably spend a lot of time driving your pickup truck, so fuel efficiency is important. Most pickups run on diesel engines, but gas-powered versions exist too.

Diesel is popular because it uses less fuel per mile than gasoline. Also, diesel emits fewer harmful emissions into the environment.

The hybrid option has also been gaining popularity in the pickup truck market for its ability to save money and the environment in the long run.

Types of Trucks

With all the different types of trucks available on the market, deciding which pickup truck to purchase can be daunting.

First things first, you need to consider your individual needs, then look at your budget and what features will work best for you.

For example, if you want a pickup so that you can load all your camping gear, then you probably don't want a full-size truck. And if you prefer to have all the power with all the styles, a luxury model might tickle your fancy.

Let's take a look at the different types of trucks available so that you can better decide which pickup suits your needs.

Full-size trucks

Larger full-size pickup trucks offer better fuel efficiency, greater cargo capacity, more comfort, and more safety features. They're often used for transporting large items like cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles.

A larger truck may have a higher initial cost, but it'll save you money down the road. You can use the same amount of gas to move twice as much stuff.

The full-size truck segment is one of the most lucrative in the automotive industry.

Chevrolet and Ford both offer full-sized pickup trucks under the Silverado and F150 names. These two have the same chassis and engine but differ mostly in the exterior styling and interior trim.

Midsize trucks

Smaller midsize trucks are typically cheaper and easier to drive than full-size vehicles, mainly because they're smaller and lighter. As a result, these trucks tend to be used for hauling small loads, such as moving furniture or delivering packages.

Due to their size, midsize trucks are better suited for local driving and short trips. And because they're usually less expensive than full-size trucks, you can save money over the life of the vehicle.

Plus, these light trucks are great for towing trailers because they're easier on the handling front.

For midsize trucks, the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier are preferred. Both offer excellent value and safety ratings, with the Frontier slightly cheaper.

Electric trucks

Hybrid trucks have been around for a while, but electric trucks are also starting to make inroads in the motor industry. Battery technology has come a long way. As a result, we are beginning to see electric trucks becoming more accessible to the average market.

They are now cheaper, more powerful, and even quieter than their predecessors.

A number of pickup truck manufacturers have recently released their electric vehicles. Still, the all-time favorites are the Rivian R1T and the Hummer EV.

The Rivian is an American startup company that holds the environment dear. It offers a range of features for off-roading adventures.

While the Hummer is just a mean beast of a machine, offering a unique "crabwalk" feature, just in case you need to haul heavy loads up a mountain.

Luxury trucks

Trucks are big, heavy, and powerful machines used for hauling loads over short or long distances. But there are luxury versions of pickup trucks too.

Luxury trucks are smaller and lighter than standard models. Some have fewer features, while others offer extra amenities like leather seats and heated steering wheels.

Demand for luxury trucks is driven by people looking for something special. As a result, people who buy luxury trucks tend to use them less often than regular trucks.

The Ram 1500 Limited has a powerful engine and luxurious interior. Another firm favorite is the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, featuring an immaculately designed interior with all the road capability you'd expect from a GMC workhorse.

Diesel trucks

Diesel trucks still have a place in the market, despite the go-green revolution. For longer trips, diesel engines are better because they're more fuel efficient than gas engines.

But diesel trucks aren't always the cheapest option. For example, diesel engines produce more noise and vibration than gasoline engines. That means your maintenance costs could be pushed up in the long run.

As far as diesel trucks go, the Dodge Ram 2500 offers both power and aesthetics. It looks every bit the part of a heavy-duty monster machine, and it drives like one too.

Insurance Options

Any vehicle is a huge financial undertaking, and you want to ensure you are covered properly for any eventuality.

Things to consider when looking at the insurance and warranty of a pickup truck include:

Warranty coverage: Is the manufacturer providing a warranty? If not, what will be the length of the warranty? Will it cover parts or labor? What, if anything, can I do to extend the warranty?
Coverage limits: How much does the policy cover? Does it cover damage to other vehicles too?
Roadside Assistance: Do I need this? What does it cost?
Comprehensive Coverage: This covers damage caused by accidents outside of the normal operation of the vehicle. For example, if you hit a tree branch, the comprehensive coverage would pay for repairs to the vehicle.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): This protects against damage to the vehicle itself. If you cause an accident, CDW will pay for repairs to the car.

How to Buy the Pickup That's Right for You

When choosing your pickup truck, there are a few factors that you need to decide on before you can go on. First, ask yourself these three important questions:

What type of loads will I be hauling - heavy or light or somewhere in between?
Which type of fuel would I like to use? Which fuel is more convenient for my budget and my location?
How will I use my pickup truck? Will I be hauling goods all the time, or will it be more of a family vehicle?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can decide the size of your truck. It will also help you determine which kind of truck fits into your overall purchasing budget and monthly budget, from price to maintenance to fuel consumption.

You will also be able to determine whether you want a crew cab, a double cab, or just a regular cab.

Conclusion

Now that you are better equipped, start your hunt for the perfect pickup shop around and see which dealer can give you the better deal.

If you find a pickup truck that is too far out of your range, don't waste precious mileage bringing it home. Instead, call on A-1 Auto Transport to safely ship your vehicle to your doorstep.