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7 Things to Consider When Buying a Pickup Truck

10/27/2020

23 Comments

 
by Justin Metz on October 20, 2020
Picture
What do America’s top three best-selling vehicles have in common? They’re all pickup trucks.

It’s no secret that the U.S. has long been a truck-loving nation. But as automakers refine the ride and handling of pickups, more drivers are starting to see them as the jack-of-all-trades. After all, no other vehicle can boast the space and comfort of an SUV with the unmatched towing and cargo-carrying abilities of a truck.

But it’s this versatility that makes shopping for a pickup much different—and more difficult—than shopping for a car. So how do you find the truck that’s right for you?

Always start with an honest evaluation of how you plan to use your new truck. Then, choose the options that will best meet those needs.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A TRUCK

Here are some important factors to consider when searching for your perfect truck.
  1. Mid-size or full-size: The first element you should explore is how large of a vehicle you really need. If you don’t plan to tow or haul heavy loads on a regular basis, a mid-size truck may be the best choice. Pickups like the Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger are capable enough for most jobs around the house and their smaller size comes with increased fuel efficiency. Full-size trucks are the workhorses of the pickup world. If you use your truck for work or to tow a boat or camper, you’ll probably benefit from the power of a Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram or other full-size pickup.
  2. Cab and bed size: Next, determine how much space you need both inside and out. Most truck cabs are available in regular (two doors, no back seat), extended (two or four doors, small back seat) and crew (four doors, large back seat). Pickup bed options include short (about 5 feet), regular (about 6.5 feet) and long (about 8 feet). Keep in mind that when it comes to cab and bed sizes, more space is typically accompanied by a higher price tag.
  3. Drivetrain: Most pickups are available with four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines. They also come with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive. When choosing an engine, you’ll need to balance the trade-offs between price, horsepower and fuel economy. And if you often find yourself driving in winter weather or off-road conditions, four-wheel drive is probably a wise choice.
  4. Hauling and towing: All pickup trucks are capable of carrying heavy loads and hauling a trailer. Knowing how much weight you need to move will help determine whether you need a light- or heavy-duty truck. For example, according to the Kelley Blue Book a new Ford F-150 can carry a payload of 2,890 pounds and tow 13,200 pounds. But with the more capable F-250, those numbers increase to 3,880 pounds and 18,000 pounds, respectively. The rule of thumb is to buy a truck capable of about 10% more power than you really need. Just keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better. If you buy a heavy-duty truck, expect to pay more at the pump and experience a harsher ride.
  5. Safety: When purchasing any new vehicle, safety ratings are always an important consideration. Be sure to do some research before driving your new truck off the lot. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts crash tests and other safety evaluations, such as headlight strength. Check out their large pickup vehicle ratings and small pickup vehicle ratings.
  6. Trim and options: Twenty years ago, optioning your pickup meant deciding whether you needed features like power locks and windows. But in today’s market, luxury features like infotainment systems, heated leather seats and even power tailgates are available to truck buyers. Just keep an eye on the final price tag as these options can inflate the price by more than $10,000.
  7. New or used: There’s nothing quite like that new car smell. But with new truck prices ranging from $20,000 to more than $80,000 it may be worth letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit. Trucks are built to last, so purchasing a used model can still provide a reliable pickup at a fraction of the cost.


INSURANCE FOR NEW TRUCKS

While your new vehicle will lose some of its value the minute you drive it off the lot, that doesn’t mean your insurance coverage should take a hit, too.
​

Ask us about adding the New Auto Security endorsement to your auto quote. If your new car gets totaled, ERIE will pay you the cost to replace it with the newest comparable model year (minus your deductible). (And if you’ve had your car longer than two years, ERIE will pay the cost to replace it with a comparable model that is up to two years newer and up to $30,000 fewer miles than the current mileage of your car, minus the deductible.)

Retrieved from: 
https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/pickup-truck-buying-guide​

23 Comments
Adam Golightly link
11/17/2020 04:41:15 pm

I can understand how a business could really benefit from getting the right trucks to help them be more efficient. It could allow them to be more efficient if they get it custom made from a professional. It was interesting to learn about how a big truck bed is around 8 feet long, while a big cab has four doors.

Reply
Rebecca Gardner link
2/3/2021 11:39:18 am

It was helpful when you explained that bed sizes for pickup trucks can be either short, regular, or long. My husband wants to buy a used pickup truck so he can have the bed customized with a ladder rack to store his work tools and equipment. I appreciate you teaching me about the available options for truck bed sizes so we'll be more informed about our options before shopping!

Reply
Taylor Hicken link
2/16/2021 07:07:49 pm

You made a good point when you shared that it is important to determine the size of a vehicle you really need. My uncle just mentioned the other day that he is planning to get a truck since his old one is no longer working well after he let his son use it to go to school. I will suggest to him looking for a reliable place that offers a used truck at an affordable price.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
3/15/2021 12:50:48 pm

It is interesting that this post mentioned that when choosing a pickup truck, it is important for us to consider the size. It makes sense for us to choose the size wisely as it will ensure that we choose or hire the right service. Assuming that I need a pickup service, I will definitely keep this information in mind.

Reply
Erika Brady link
3/29/2021 08:30:44 am

Thanks for explaining that pickup trucks can provide towing services. My cousin needs her car to be towed since it broke down on the freeway. Since she doesn't know anyone with a pickup truck, she should hire a towing service to get professionals with the best equipment to help her get to a mechanic.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
4/19/2021 01:57:29 am

I appreciate that this post pointed out that when choosing a pick up truck, it is important for us to get the right sizes. The other day my brother shared that he would like to buy a truck. I will advise him to have the right size purchased.

Reply
Lhynzie link
5/3/2021 01:18:02 am

This blog is quite informative. Thanks a lot.

Reply
Chris Pederson link
5/28/2021 06:15:31 am

I'll try my best to come up with how much cab and bed size I need. I have always wanted a truck. But I just need to find a place that will have replacement parts for the cabs and beds.

Reply
custom ladder rack link
6/18/2021 03:23:47 am

Found your post interesting to read. I can't wait to see your post soon. Good Luck with the upcoming update. This article is really very interesting and effective.

Reply
rv slide out awning installation link
11/16/2021 11:41:49 pm

Very interesting and thanks for sharing such a good blog. Your article is so convincing that I never stop myself from saying something about it. You’re doing a great job. Keep it up.


Reply
Hailey Miller link
3/11/2022 10:22:49 pm

It helped when you said that it is essential to know how much space we need both inside and out when searching for a truck. My husband and I are planning to buy a Toyota truck next month so this is helpful. We are also hoping to find experts who can keep our vehicle in top running condition.

Reply
ranger van shelving link
3/12/2022 10:37:59 pm

Very well written. Your blogs always impress me. Keep up the good work. Expecting the same from you.

Reply
Nice Car link
5/18/2022 04:21:05 am

You provide excellent and comprehensive information on how people can choose which pickup is suitable for their needs.

Reply
Tow truck johnson city tn link
10/3/2022 09:32:26 pm

This blog site has got lots of really helpful information on it! Cheers for informing me!

Reply
John Carston link
11/7/2022 04:30:42 pm

It's great that you elaborated that you should consider knowing and understanding the size of your truck to know the best options. Yesterday, my uncle mentioned that he was hoping to find truck parts and accessories for outfitting a modern type of truck. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. Thanks to this instructive article, I'll tell him he can consult a well-known truck accessories company as they can help him gather more information about the best accessories.

Reply
van ladder racks link
11/11/2022 01:00:54 am

Keep sharing such amazing posts in the future also. Your blogs always impress me. Keep up the Excellent write-up, I have always enjoyed your articles, you’re such a wonderful writer, always on point.

Reply
Dan Addams link
11/20/2022 10:45:10 pm

The other day my brother stressed that he is planning to buy a truck. I appreciate that this post underlined that when buying a truck, we should consider the size. In doing so, it helps to ensure that he makes the right purchase and will be aware of the due diligence.

Reply
Iris Smith link
1/9/2023 03:22:49 am

Thank you for making it clear so we can calculate how much room we'll need inside and outside the truck. My sister wants to purchase a vehicle to haul her equipment to and from businesses. I'll advise her to estimate the amount of space she needs from the inside out.

Reply
Mia Evans link
2/28/2023 10:55:50 pm

It's interesting to know that luxury features for pick-up trucks would be having heated leather seats, infotainment systems, and power tailgates. I think I want truck seats that have heating, because I easily get cold. So I hope to get those kinds of upgrades once I have my own vehicle this year.

Reply
Trucks for sale New Zealand link
3/6/2023 04:54:23 am

Belt Insurance's post on "7 Things to Consider When Buying a Pickup Truck" is a helpful guide for anyone looking to buy a pickup truck. The author provides practical advice on what to look for when buying a truck, such as payload capacity and towing capacity. The comments section is helpful, with readers sharing their own experiences and asking further questions.

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
3/8/2023 09:21:51 am

Thanks so much for talking about how you should consider how much space you need both inside and outside of the truck you're buying. I have a friend who works out of his truck most of the time and he's been wanting an upgrade to better his organization for his tools so he can find things easier. We've been looking into finding a custom auto body builder to help him get the bed of the new truck to hold what he needs to put all his tools in.

Reply
Iris Smith link
3/13/2023 01:15:11 am

I appreciate you saying that if you buy a heavy-duty truck, you should be prepared to pay more at the pump and ride rougher. My sister's septic system's pump is jammed. I'll advise her to hire a pump truck.

Reply
Truck sales perth link
3/14/2023 10:48:36 pm

Buying a pickup truck? Here are 7 items to think about. It's a helpful guide for figuring out what to look for in a pickup vehicle. The writer provides some helpful advice for selecting the best truck for one's requirements and budget. Discussion amongst readers is evidenced by the comments section below the article.

Reply



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