Thinking About Buying A Pickup Truck? Read This!

Pickup trucks are an excellent investment for the right people. They’re large and powerful vehicles capable of off-roading, carrying heavy equipment, and towing trailers and boats. Some drivers couldn’t live without them for these reasons. However, before buying a pickup truck, it’s essential to consider if it’s right for you and your situation.

The off-roading capabilities, the horsepower and torque, and the ability to tow things and carry heavy equipment make pickup trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and others very popular. However, they are expensive and may not be the best daily driver, so you must think carefully.

Let’s take a closer look at pickup trucks, from what makes them so popular to the best brands you can buy and what to consider before you sign that sales contract.

What Makes Pickup Trucks so Popular?

There are a few things that make pickup trucks such popular purchases.

Strong Visibility

The issue with many trucks is that the visibility can be poor. Therefore, if you’ve decided to buy a truck, you’ll need to keep this in mind. You may need to be extra careful when adjusting mirrors and always be aware of your blind spot, which can extend up to fifty feet and hide other vehicles.

Pickup trucks, however, are better than many other trucks—so if your heart is set on a truck in general, but visibility is a concern, a pickup truck may be the one for you.

Off-Roading Capabilities

Off-roading has become a popular hobby for nature and car lovers. However, it involves leaving the typical road and maneuvering your vehicle across uneven and often dangerous terrain. To participate safely and successfully, you must ensure you have the right vehicle.

Pickup trucks can work well for this. Their suspension systems are much sturdier, and the tires are thicker, meaning they can take more of a hit than a regular car. If you try to off-road in a vehicle that isn’t built for it, you’ll likely face a lot of damage.

Great for Towing Boats or Trailers

If you often have to tow a boat or trailers, you need a vehicle to handle this. But, much like off-roading, doing this continuously in a vehicle that isn’t built for it can cause many problems, leaving people paying for damage that could have been avoided if they had been aware.

Pickup trucks are usually sturdy enough to handle the job efficiently and safely.

Fuel Efficiency

Although trucks are generally not very fuel-efficient, some pickup truck brands can be, making them popular. There’s even an all-electric one on the market now!

Regardless, you can check the EPA rating and make sure you’re choosing a fuel-efficient brand. This saves you from paying too much for gas and ensures you’re as environmentally friendly as possible.

They’re Large and Spacious

These big vehicles are large and spacious inside as they are outside, which provides two huge advantages. The first is they’re comfortable sitting and driving in. Later models especially have worked hard to provide modern and comfortable interiors.

It also allows you to put a lot of luggage in them. When moving house, this can be a lifesaver. It’s also great for those who have to take a lot of potentially heavy equipment to work, as a pickup truck can haul it around without issue. Some people with specific occupations would struggle to have a smaller vehicle with less torque and horsepower.

Appearance

Some people simply want the appearance of a large and powerful vehicle that they can customize, and for those people, it’s a no-brainer to get a pickup truck. 

What Brands of Pickup Trucks are the Most Popular?

As with any vehicle, not all pickup trucks are created equal. Therefore, it’s essential to look at the brand when purchasing one—and these are the most popular for a reason.

The Ford F-Series

Not only has the Ford F-Series been the most popular pickup truck brand in the US for a long time, but it’s also become the most popular vehicle in general! That says a lot about its reliability and how Ford treats its customers, and it is a good first place to look if you’re considering buying a pickup truck.

It was introduced in 1948 and has just kept improving since. In 2021, Ford also dropped their new electric version. This is perfect for those worried about fuel efficiency, as it allows you to have a zero-emissions vehicle with the power and status of their other trucks.

Ram Pickup

This award-winning truck is almost as popular as the Ford F-Series, and for a good reason. Ram has a particularly high-tech truck, ensuring you don’t suffer on modernity if you choose a pickup truck for your vehicle.

It has cameras, parking sensors, and more, ensuring convenience for the driver and comfort within the vehicle. It is also known for its very comfortable interior, wide seats, and doors. And there’s a ton of legroom in the back, so while the driver stays comfortable, the passengers can too.

Chevrolet Silverado Pickup

The Chevrolet Silverado Pickup is a mighty truck that puts it pretty high on the list of popular pickup trucks in the US. They’ve also continuously improved the models.

Although the earlier ones felt somewhat lacking in many areas, they’ve worked hard to add high tech to the interior, along with driving assistance and towing options.

However, it is expensive and doesn’t score particularly high on fuel efficiency, so it’s not ideal for those trying to help the environment and keep their gas bill low.

GMC Sierra Pickup

Another powerful pickup truck that’s very popular in the US, the GMC Sierra Pickup, has some innovative and thoughtful features that make it a solid purchase.

They also offer multiple trim options, making it one of the more customizable pickup trucks—a huge advantage for drivers looking to make their vehicles their own. 

It’s also more fuel efficient than other pickup trucks and is built for off-roading, so those who want to disappear into nature can be reassured that this pickup truck will see them over rough terrain and safely back home.

Toyota Tundra Pickup

Perhaps one of the best trucks for off-roading because the manufacturer had that in mind while making this, the Toyota Tundra Pickup can also see you over rough terrain. So if you visit more treacherous roads a lot, this might be your choice.

It also has a luxurious interior, making it comfortable even if you spend many hours behind the wheel.

Like some other pickup trucks, however, the fuel efficiency isn’t great, which can be a real problem for those actively trying to do their part—and it has an expensive price tag, meaning gas on top of that isn’t ideal for the wallet.

What are the Different Types of Pickup Trucks?

Several types of pickup trucks are available on the market, and some may fall under a few categories. Here are the ones you need to know about.

Mini Pickup Trucks

There has been a new wave of what’s known as mini or compact pickup trucks but compared to your average vehicle; they aren’t very small at all. Instead, they’re much larger than a car and are usually slightly smaller than mid-size pickup trucks. 

They also may not pack as much power as the larger vehicles, so it’s essential to check out the specs before purchasing, especially depending on what you plan to use them for.

Mid-Size Pickup Trucks

Mid-size pickup trucks are great for those who need a powerful vehicle but don’t need to go all out for something large and heavy. They can be used for towing and off-roading, but you don’t want to stretch them too far, so it’s important to know what they’re capable of. They’re great everyday drivers.

Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks

If you’re going to be towing something heavy every day or you must haul large equipment back and forth to work, you may want to invest in a heavy-duty pickup truck. These aren’t great everyday drivers as they’re usually large and can be challenging to park, but they work well for specific purposes.

Gas vs. Hybrid vs. Electric

When purchasing a pickup truck, it’s important to know the differences between gas, hybrid, and electric.

Gas trucks are the most traditional form of pickup truck and will undoubtedly give you the most choice. Their fuel efficiency can be a turn-off, but there are still far more on the market than hybrid and electric. For those trying to be environmentally conscious they’re faced with fewer options. Ford and other manufacturers are actively working to change this.

Electric trucks run purely based on electricity, meaning you don’t have to rely on gas. You can even charge them from the comfort of your home if you install a charger. As a result, you’ll never pay gas prices and can rest easy knowing you’re doing your part for the planet.

And then there are hybrid trucks, which are also in short supply when it comes to choice—but provide a happy medium. You can pay less for gas and be less reliant on it while still knowing you can put gas in your pickup truck the traditional way.

A notable disadvantage of electric vs. gas is that electric pickup trucks usually don’t have as much range, so you’ll have to stop and charge them more often—and charging also takes longer than filling up a vehicle with gas.

Who is a Pickup Truck Best For?

Only you can decide if a pickup truck is best for your situation, but certain people would benefit from having one.

Sports and Work

If you play sports, this is a huge one. This is especially true if it requires hauling around equipment, like boating or canoeing, as your average vehicle can’t transport those things. So it’s important to weigh how much you play these sports, how much you need to move the equipment, and whether it’d be cheaper to rent a truck every few months or buy your own.

Some people also have jobs requiring them to move heavy equipment daily. In this case, a pickup truck is better than another vehicle and will be a reliable daily driver.

Living in the Country

Those who live in the country are more likely to love a pickup truck than in a busy city, though that doesn’t mean you can’t own one in the city—just that it might be a little more difficult to find parking and maneuver through the busy roads. Out in the country, however, you’ll typically have plenty of space.

Off-Roading

Lastly, individuals who love off-roading should consider a pickup truck and never go off-road in an unsuitable vehicle. The hobby often requires going over bumpy terrain that can damage your vehicle and put you in danger when not done right, so make sure you have a sturdy truck that can handle the roads.

Are There Disadvantages to Owning a Pickup Truck?

As discussed before, the main disadvantage is fuel efficiency and subsequent gas prices. However, if you purchase an electric model or even a hybrid, this disadvantage is nullified—though replaced with the lack of range.

Otherwise, the main disadvantage is the size. If you have to parallel park in a city to get to work every day, where the spaces are tight, and the roads are busy, a pickup truck may not be the ideal vehicle for you.

To Wrap Up

All in all, pickup trucks are excellent vehicles for the right people. While there are some disadvantages, like their sheer size and fuel efficiency, there are also many advantages, and for some people, they’re the perfect daily driver or off-roading truck.