Although the existence of trucks came about as solely a vehicle for heavy-duty work, nowadays, you`ll find many more variations of trucks in the marketplace that are more versatile and can be used for various things. The modern-day market houses many kinds of trucks meant for different purposes. This is why choosing what kind of pick truck to buy can be an overwhelming decision to make. However, together with Zemotor, the leader of used car for sales online we have made this guide that will walk you through some basic things to consider before buying a truck to make the most of your purchase.
Type Of Truck:
Before anything, you first need to learn about the different types of trucks and which size will fit your needs the most. Among the myriad of trucks, there are 3 types of pickup trucks in the market according to size: compact-sized pickup, mid-size and full-size. Depending on what you need the truck for, you can decide which one will be a better choice for you.
Let`s discuss these different trucks and how they differ from one another:
Compact Trucks:
If you`re looking for a budget-friendly option for a truck, compact-sized pickups are your best option. These kinds of trucks are a newer addition to the truck family but are just as capable of doing a little heavy lifting when you need to. Of course, they don`t compare to full-sized, heavy-duty trucks in terms of power, but you can accomplish your dreams of owning a truck with this.
You can find compact trucks like the Santa Cruz and the Ford maverick to qualify for this category. It`s good enough to get you places and has a high utility rate. It`s also a good option if you are looking for convenience and fuel efficiency rather than towing or hauling.
Mid-Size Trucks:
These are significantly more powerful than compact trucks and can efficiently perform hauling and towing activities. It`s a great option f you require your truck to perform heavy-duty drives but without the expense of owning a full-sized truck.
This category has the most options, as most trucks in the market are manufactured in this size. Mid-size trucks qualify the criteria of an all-rounder in terms of performance and utility. Some of the best-selling mid-trucks are the Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma. Mid-size trucks are much easier to handle than full-size trucks, with almost the same level of power.
Full-Size Trucks:
The full-size trucks can come in a heavy-duty model and a light-duty model. As the names suggest, full-size trucks are manufactured to be much bigger and have the most power. So this type of truck is an excellent option if you`re looking for a pickup that can efficiently perform any task. They`re made to take on heavy loads and perform the most challenging functions like heavyweight towing and hauling.
Because of the sheer strength of these trucks, they come in a bigger size and house engines with a higher payload. The only downside to owning such a powerful truck is its heavy construction which might be much harder to handle and maintain than the smaller or regular-sized trucks.
Besides these basic types, you`ll also find trucks made explicitly for heavy-duty, which means they are great for towing and hauling purposes, while others are good for off-road traveling. Electric trucks are also the newest addition to the family and are surprisingly high-performance.
Cab Size:
The next thing to consider is the cab size and seating. Most trucks come in three different designs- the regular cab design, which seats two to three people; the extended cab design, with enough space to fit about 6 people and crew cab trucks which also offer enough seating for 6 people but with more leg space than the extended cab design. Depending on what you will use the truck for, make sure you choose the right van size for your truck.
Performance:
The engines on trucks can vary depending on the size of the trucks. For example, compact trucks come with a base engine of either 4 or 6 cylinders, out of which the 6 cylinders are the more powerful option. While the 6 cylinders might give you a higher performance rate, the 4 cylinders engine is much more fuel efficient. Likewise, for full-size trucks, the options are between a V6 and a V8, and the V8 is the more robust option. However, for fuel efficiency and power balance, the V6 is cindered to be the best choice.
The Bed Capacity:
The most notable feature that sets trucks apart from regular vehicles is the open cargo space, which is also probably why you want a truck. This is called the bed of the truck. It comes in various sizes, from about 5-6 feet in length for compact trucks to 8 feet for full-sized trucks. This space is subject to change as per the can model as well.
Towing And Payload:
Hauling and towing are two of the most critical features a truck provides, which other regular vehicles cannot. Hence, their payload and wing power should be critical factors before buying a truck.
A full-sized regular truck should hold at least 10,000 pounds, while heavy-duty ones can tow anywhere between 12,000 to 31,000 pounds. It`s also a good idea to consider the various rear-axle ratios that provide different torque levels, depending on your use for the truck.
Pros Of Owning A Truck:
- Trucks are great for hauling and towing purposes. Depending on size, most trucks can handle anywhere from 1500 to 3500 pounds.
- Truck maintenance is easy.
- You can easily go off-roading with trucks because of their conventional rugged construction and impressive ground clearance.
- Unlike cars, trucks have a very high resale value.
- You have a wide variety of options for customizations.
- You can use it for a variety of purposes, for example, food delivery, courier services, or even junk removal.
Cons Of Owning A Truck:
- They can become a nuisance to handle, especially in small parking areas
- Full-sized trucks can hamper your vision when driving, causing concern about driving on public transport roads
- Fuel consumption is much higher than regular cars