So, You Want to Purchase a Pickup Truck?

by Jim Thompson | Last Updated: June 24, 2021

You must be a cowboy, or a hillbilly, or a construction worker! Right?

Guess again. We drive pickup trucks. Our friends drive pickup trucks. Our moms drive pickup trucks. (We’re not kidding.) Thus, we know as well as you do that pickup trucks these days come in all shapes and sizes for all kinds of people. They are flat-out handy for hauling… well… anything. Whatever you want to do with your pickup, knowing ahead of time will help you to determine exactly what make and model you want. We can help you—no matter who you are and how you’ll put your pickup truck to good use.

Know Your Stuff

Chances are that if you want to purchase a pickup truck, you already know a lot about them. However, if you don’t, please join us for some pick-up truck basics. It is true that pickups are often used by workers in construction, farming, or transportation of heavy equipment. However, there are daily commute trucks and even luxury trucks out there, and they come in many sizes, including:

  • Mid-sized
  • Full-sized (a.k.a. “half-ton” and “1500”)
  • Heavy-duty

(Notice there’s no “lightweight division.”)

Like we said, there’s no end to truck features. There are trucks out there with:

  • Manual or automatic transmission
  • Gas or diesel engines
  • 4-wheel drive
  • Differing cab sizes
  • GPS and sound systems
  • Differing engine capacities
  • 2, 3, or 4 doors

So, which one’s right for you?

Do Your Research

Only you can know the best truck for you. However, we recommend that, when buying a pickup, you consider:

  • Your budget
  • Your driving needs (Are you driving for work or pleasure? In a high-trafficked area or not? In the daytime or at night?)
  • Your towing needs (It is critical to research your towing needs thoroughly. Big truck does not equal tons of towing capacity. Know what each model truck can handle!)
  • Your cab size needs
  • Your size and weight needs
  • The gas mileage (Most pickups get notoriously bad gas mileage, especially when hauling a large load)
  • Your desire for comfort (Pickups are also notorious for being unaccommodating to ride in…)
  • Safety ratings (Most trucks are relatively safe these days, but no two trucks are made the same.)

Not sure? Simply asking yourself, “How will I use my pickup?” should give you a lot of clarity. If it doesn’t, get the opinion of your family, friends, coworkers, and your repairman and insurance agent. If they can’t help you, maybe you want a sedan…