Every guy needs a great truck.
Pickup trucks are great. Everyone wants to have a friend with a truck, whether to help them move or to go tailgating.
Thinking about joining the club and buying your first pickup? We don’t blame you. Here are a few things to consider when buying your first pickup truck.
Why Are You Buying the Truck?
This is an important factor to consider because pickup trucks are used and designed for so many different purposes. If you’re planning to haul bulky objects or construction materials, you’ll need something very different than if you just want a truck because you like the look of them.
It’s also important to consider whether you’ll be towing anything with your truck. Trucks that tow boats or campers are designed to handle more weight.
How Much Room Do You Need?
Another thing to consider when buying a truck is how roomy you need the cab to be. Here are a few options.
Standard: The smallest option is the standard cab, with only one row of seats. This usually fits two or three people.
Extended: The extended cab has a second row of seats, but whoever is in the back will likely have their knees against the front seats. There’s not a lot of legroom here.
Double: The double cab has two proper doors on each side, rather than a reverse-hinged door like the extended cab. There are still two rows of seats, but a bit more legroom.
Crew: This is the largest option. The crew cab has two full-sized doors and plenty of legroom for both front and backseat passengers.
Diesel or Gas?
There are a lot of myths about diesel engines, but they don’t deserve all the hate. Diesel engines are great if you need a truck with more oomph. Here are some differences between diesel and gas engines.
Diesel: Diesel engines give off more torque, meaning you can haul heavier loads. This is particularly important if you’re planning to tow things with your truck. Diesel is quite a bit more expensive than gas, but it also gets better fuel economy, meaning you won’t be filling up as often. Diesel engines are also less complex than gas engines, which is why they tend to have a longer lifespan.
Gas: Gas engines are better when it comes to acceleration and horsepower. Unless you’re hauling heavy loads, a gas engine is the way to go when you need to pass someone on the highway. Gas is less expensive and more accessible than diesel, so you won’t have to worry about trouble at the gas station. Plus, more mechanics are familiar with gas engines, so you’ll have an easier time with maintenance.