Pro Tips To Buy A Used Truck

Looking to buy a used truck? You’ve come to the right place! Here’s a quick look at the three most important factors you need to consider when purchasing a truck.

Affordability

The used pickup truck category has become a victim of its own success, evolving from utilitarian work vehicles to power-packed family haulers with growing sticker prices to match. Today, you’ll have a pretty challenging time finding an affordable used pickup truck. The high price is because pickup trucks are built on more expensive truck platforms and chassis, as opposed to the car-like platforms and chassis of most cars, minivans, and SUVs. The good news is that even basic work trucks – the kind used by professional tradespeople such as plumbers and electricians – tend to be surprisingly comfortable, with useful features such as climate control and a touchscreen interface. That said, before you start shopping for a used truck, make sure to set a budget for yourself.

Size Matters

If you’ve never driven a pickup before, it can be difficult to understand the different variations that manufacturers offer. Full-size trucks are larger, while light-duty models are generally easier to maneuver in tight spaces and require less fuel. If you know you’ll be driving on long stretches of highway or need to tow heavy items, a heavy-duty truck may be your best bet, but you will need to compromise on fuel efficiency. Light-duty trucks are smaller than the full-size category and have lower base prices. However, they typically offer less towing capacity than the larger full-size model.

Know What Cab Size You Prefer

The cab of a pickup truck is basically its cabin, and it describes the size of the truck and what’s possible in terms of comfort and the number of passengers it will hold. There are different types of cabs to choose from depending on personal preference. The three most common ones are regular, extended, and crew. Regular-cab models offer the lowest prices but extended, and crew cabs are what most buyers prefer. Crew cab models have the roomiest back seats and easier rear-seat access. Extended-cab models have smaller back seats, but they’re usable and allow you to store items behind the seat.