Choosing the Right Pick-up Truck for You

A Guide to Selecting Trucks

A pickup benefits range from more cargo-carrying flexibility than any other type of vehicle to having a large payload capacity and good towing ability.  When shopping for a truck, the number of configurations can be overwhelming. Trucks are available in many different variations, from bed size, to passenger capacity, to towing power, to different interiors.  Many truck owners are loyal to their brand, but for those who are considering some options here are some factors to consider.

Powertrain: The base engine for compact pickups is usually a four-cylinder engine, which is the most fuel-efficient. The base engine for a full-sized truck is typically a V6, which provides a good balance between power and fuel economy. For heavy hauling or towing the engine range should be V8, V10, or a diesel engine. By knowing what you will be using the truck for will help with this decision.

Bed lengths/cargo capacity: Trucks often come in short bed or long bed versions and range from a full-sized 8-foot version on down.  A truck with a longer bed is more difficult to maneuver in tight situations.  But if the truck is used for, say construction work purposes, you will likely need the longer bed.

Cabin Dimensions: Regular cabs may be  the least expensive, but have no rear seat and very little in-cabin storage room. Extended cabs provide extra room behind the front seats, as well as two small rear seats that are best suited for children on short drives.  Crew-cab trucks have four regular-sized doors and two full rows of seats, which can seat five people in relative comfort.

Towing: Before you select a truck, you must have a general idea of what, if any, type of towing you will be doing. Towing abilities range from 4,000 pounds on a compact pickup to 9,000 pounds on the largest versions.

Safety features
: All new trucks will have standard dual front air bags and three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions. Some pickups offer side air bags and head-protection bags. Some offer electronic stability control (ESC), which helps keep the vehicle from rollover. Other safety features to look for include antilock brakes, traction control, rear back-up alert systems, and safety-belt pretensioners.