America loves a pickup. Light-duty trucks have been gaining popularity for decades, thanks to best-selling models like the Ford F-150 and its main competitors, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. The latest offerings feature all the comfort and amenities you’d expect from a luxury SUV but with more torque, horsepower, towing power and room for oversized items. Shopping for a truck presents new considerations, such as comparing diesel to gas, new vs. used, and figuring out how much power you need. Buy a workhorse that suits your budget and to-do list.
Choosing a Truck for Your Budget
Buying a truck gives you endless customization options. Manufacturers offer various trims for each model, with low-cost packages running upwards of $31,000 and off-road/towing/luxury trims going for $100,000 or more. Upgraded trims include exclusive add-ons for exploring rugged terrain, such as body plates, brighter headlights, upgraded shocks, larger engines, hitches for towing heavy loads, stylish flourishes and interior entertainment features. You can choose between two- and four-wheel drive. The latter provides more control and traction on slick surfaces while decreasing the max MPG rating.
Diesel vs. Gas Pickup Trucks
Upgrading to a larger truck or engine gives you the option to switch from gas to diesel. What is diesel? Diesel fuel contains more energy per gallon than unleaded gas, making these engines more efficient. They use extreme heat and high-pressure fuel/air to trigger combustion instead of a spark to move heavy loads from rest. Diesel trucks generally have more horsepower, torque and higher towing capacities than gas trucks. They also tend to cost more but can last up to five times longer with proper maintenance.
New vs. Used
Used trucks can be just as reliable as new vehicles and cost up to 50 percent less. Certified pre-owned trucks have passed inspection and may have had some of their parts replaced. Privately owned used trucks without the proper repairs or documentation can be a gamble. Rugged terrain and heavy loads can be rough on trucks, limiting their resale value. The condition depends on how well it was maintained and how much it used to tow. Exceeding the towing capacity — even on short trips — can cause irreparable damage.
Consider how long you’ll need a pickup truck, what you need for the job, and whether you plan on reselling it based on the condition. Well-maintained diesel trucks withstand wear and tear better than gas trucks. Buying a new truck gives you more customization options and options for selling the vehicle, but go with a used diesel truck that will last just a long.
You can give a used truck a new life and restore its MPG rating by replacing worn systems as long as the problem hasn’t spread to other parts of the engine. The vehicle may be beyond saving if multiple systems are corroded or clogged. Inspect a used truck before committing to a price, and find your diesel parts supply online to save money on repairs.
Used diesels may need new fuel and oil pumps to maintain PSI levels. The engine must release and/or recycle the exhaust gas before it can burn more air/fuel. The exhaust filter and tailpipe can clog with debris, including carbon and soot. Inefficient trucks with dirty exhausts release harmful emissions that can lead to fines and failed inspections. Replace damaged engine exhaust parts to restore the flow.
Truck Size
Most models and trims include two and four-door options that fit two to three or five passengers, respectively. You can also modify the dimensions of the truck bed based on your cargo. Larger trucks with more space for passengers and cargo consume more fuel per gallon than lighter trucks.
Torque, Horsepower and Towing Capacity
The three most important specs when buying a truck are torque, horsepower and max towing capacity. Torque measures how much work the vehicle can perform at various RPMs. Diesel trucks have more low-end torque for towing heavy loads from rest, giving you more precision when loading/unloading on worksites. Horsepower measures how quickly the car accelerates, which determines the max MPH.
The towing capacity measures how much the truck can haul. Stay well within the limit, including the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or how much the vehicle can hold, including passengers, cargo and fuel, and the gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which includes the fully loaded vehicle plus the trailer, Gross axle weight rating (GAWR) or how much each axle can carry, to avoid damaging the engine.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency varies widely depending on the make/model. Diesel is more efficient than gas, but the MPG rating depends on the engine’s condition. Maintaining the truck and replacing worn parts restores the truck’s original efficiency rating to help you save money on gas. Limit the size and features based on the task to avoid hauling more trucks than you need.
Buying a truck requires more math than shopping for your average vehicle. With so many options to choose from and more makes/models on the market than ever before, you’ll have no shortage of specs to compare. Mid-size diesel trucks offer the best value. Bare-bones gas trucks limit your towing abilities and should last longer for the price. High-end six-figure trims have more bells and whistles than most drivers need. Narrow your search based on how much power and space you need to get the job done.
