If you’re in the market for a brand-new vehicle and have been considering a heavy-duty pickup over a smaller and lighter car, you’ve likely performed your fair share of research trying to determine whether these larger and more durable vehicles are worth it.
So, what are the pros and cons of heavy-duty vehicles? Let’s look at what sets heavy-duty pickups apart from the rest.
The Pros
Heavy-duty vehicles have plenty of benefits. The three most notable are increased protection, durability, and towing capabilities.
Protection
A bigger, sturdier vehicle will keep you safer than a lighter vehicle in the unfortunate event of a crash. This is because heavier vehicles have more force and will transfer their energy to anything smaller than them (including other vehicles) during collisions. This results in heavier vehicles sustaining less damage and their drivers sustaining fewer and less severe injuries in crashes.
Durability
If you need a vehicle that can withstand a large amount of wear and tear, heavy-duty pickups are the ideal choice. They’re built with more durable chassis frames, suspension components, brakes, cooling systems, and rear axles than regular vehicles, which allows them to handle heavier and more frequent use.
Better Towing Capabilities
You’d be hard-pressed to find a tiny and lightweight Volkswagen Beetle that can handle weighty loads. Light-duty vehicles like that aren’t built to handle crazy amounts of weight. If you need to regularly tow or haul thousands of pounds, you want a sturdy and reliable heavy-duty truck.
Most heavy-duty trucks can tow up to 20,000 pounds and haul roughly 6,500. Light-duty cars can only handle half of that.
The Cons
Unfortunately, heavy-duty vehicles come with a handful of disadvantages. The most commonly-cited complaints are a dismal fuel economy and higher upfront cost. To finish this list on the pros and cons of heavy-duty vehicles, here are the cons.
Poor Fuel Economy
Because heavy-duty trucks are weightier, they consume more energy than lighter vehicles. This means you’ll get less bang for your buck when it comes to fuel. However, there are certain mods you can make to heavy-duty pickups, such as the Ford F-250, that will boost their fuel economy and performance levels significantly and help bridge the gap.
Higher Cost
Heavy-duty vehicles will also make a bigger dent in your wallet. If you compare the durability, functionality, and longevity of these trucks to light-duty vehicles, you’ll find that the cost is often worth it, but the upfront payment can still make it a dauntingly expensive purchase for many people.