CarTest! Expert car reviews and advice | home
![]() CarTest! Expert car reviews and advice | CarTest Contents | New Car Reviews | Used Car Reviews | What is your car worth? | Automotive NewsBriefs | Award-Winning Models | Find the Best Vehicle | Automotive Advice | Save on Gas | Driving Tips & Maintenance Advice | Safety Research & Insurance Tips | Tire Advice | Road Trips | Auto Racing | Classics & Collectibles | Newsletter | About Us | SEARCH CarTest!
|
|||
![]() ![]() Pickups are not easy to specify because there are so many variables regarding engines, transmissions, wheel types and more. This guide will help you think about all the options you need to consider, no matter what make or model you're looking at.
![]() ![]() ![]() |
How to choose a Pickup Truck
![]() By Bill Roebuck
![]() Pickup trucks -- in fact trucks of any kind -- are the most complex vehicles you can buy, simply because of the vast range of sizes, options and configurations in which they are available. The number of passengers typically carried, type of loads, box length, transmission type, towing capacity, GVWR, and driving conditions you expect to encounter are among the many criteria. That's why it's best to go to a truck specialist to ensure you get what you need and that the ordering process is done properly.
Here are nine key criteria to consider before narrowing down your decision to a specific make and model.
1. Payload: How much gear do you need to carry? Consider the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) if you have a lot of gear to carry. Check the rated payload capacity (how much weight you can carry). Do you require a light-duty or heavy-dudy model? Halt-ton, three-quarter ton or one-ton capacity (typically designated 150/1500, 250/2500 and 350/3500 series)? Take into consideration the fact that you may be adding racking or a bed topper, or the weight of your toolbox. How many components will you be delivering to the jobsite in your own truck -- and what's the most these could weigh?
2. Cargo capacity: How about the bed size? Can you make do with a short cargo bed (typically 5 ft 6 in. long) or will you need a midsize (6 ft 4 in.) or full-length (8 ft) bed?
3. Towing capacity: Do you tow most of your gear in a trailer? Consider the towing capabilities and capacity of each model you're looking at. Also consider the suspension of the truck if you'll be towing regularly. General Motors Canada provides a payload and trailering guide at gm.ca/gm/english/trailering-guide/all-vehicles/home/overview.
![]() 5. Power: Sometimes you simply need grunt. Engines come in four-six, eight and 10 cylinder versions, in gas or diesel (you get more torque with diesels). With work trucks, torque is often a more important factor than fuel economy. And for heavy duty work around muddy jobsites, top torque ratings at low engine rpms may be what you need. Of course, as you would expect, the larger the engine, the more fuel it will use.
6. 2WD vs. 4WD. Four-wheel drive is great for helping you plow through muck and slime on wet jobsites, but if you don't typically do that kind of work, you can save money upfront and reduce your operating costs by selecting a two-wheel drive transmission.
![]() 8. Safety: Modern pickups have just about the same number of safety features as passenger vehicles these days. Some key benefits to look for are ABS, electronic brake force distribution, side-curtain airbags, rollover protection, tire pressure monitoring, traction control, stability control, anti-sway control for towing, and so forth. For towing over 1,000-lb (half-ton) loads, look for trailer brake controls integrated into the truck.
9. Options: Some trucks can easily be turned into mobile offices. Look for technologies such as Bluetooth connectivity, built-in GPS systems, remote-starting, rear backup cameras, extra power outlets, audio player inputs, built-in pickup bed storage boxes, an integrated tailgate step, storage spaces for papers and a laptop, and flat work surfaces that make it easier to do administrative work in the vehicle.
Bill Roebuck is the editor of CarTest! (c) 2011.
This page was updated on March 9, 2011, and reference to a dead link from General Motors was removed.
Search CarTest!
![]()
Custom Search
|