Pickup trucks are not only the biggest personal vehicles on the road, they’re also some of the most versatile, especially for those living in rural areas. Powerful, stout engines engines are paired with a high ground clearance; some of the factors which contribute to generally excellent towing, payload, and snow-clearing capabilities. They also handle dirt and gravel roads with ease, good for light off-roading or in case your GPS leads you down an unmarked shortcut. Pickups are the workhorses of the North American automobile industry, with an unmatched and unmistakable physical presence on the road.
They’re the best non-commercial work vehicles too, owing to their great ability in towing, hauling, and handling tough roads in any weather conditions. These factors alone are enough to sway some towards a purchase of a pickup, and statistics powered by Cars.com show pickups sales are still going strong.
TOWING
A pickup’s great towing capacity is one half of the towing-payload combination. Towing capacity refers to how much weight you can safely pull behind your truck with a trailer. This means anything from a car, to a motorboat, to a camper. This versatility makes pickups the perfect (and only) vehicles for those who plan to tow and have peace of mind that they’ll be able to tow virtually anything. For example, the Ford F-150, America’s best selling pickup, has a towing capacity ranging from 5,000 to 13,200 pounds (about 2,300 to 6,000 kilograms), depending on configuration. Even the lower end of this range is enough for most towing needs.
PAYLOAD
Payload capacity is another metric by which a truck is judged, and it refers to the cargo weight that you can safely add in addition to your truck’s empty, or curb weight. The large, deep bed of a pickup truck is specially designed to heavy weight and materials like dirt, gravel, and sand, among others. The bed can also easily hold a small vehicles like a motorcycle, an ATV, and snowmobile. Don’t forget about the capability to easily transport heavy, cumbersome furniture too. While other classes of vehicle like large SUVs can also carry cargo, they lack the sheer space and versatility that pickups offer. Using the Ford F-150 as an example, expect a payload capacity ranging from 1,100 pounds to a touch over 2,300 pounds (or about 500 to 1,000 kilograms), enough to carry anything you need.
OFF-ROADING
Pickups are ready to tackle light off-roading even in stock condition, straight from the dealership or private seller. Their high ground clearance, suspension, and plentiful torque make them excellent companions for those traveling to new or otherwise unknown destinations. A pickup that you’ll be able to travel on any road you need, be it asphalt, gravel, or dirt. If you’re looking to do a little more serious off-roading, check out offerings like Chevy's Silverado Trail Boss, Ram's 1500 Rebel, and the king of off-road trucks, Ford's mighty F-150 Raptor.
DAILY DRIVING
A pickup is a solid choice even if you’re just looking for a simple daily driver. Pickups generally have unmatched visibility due to their size, good crash safety ratings, and have better fuel efficiency than you might think—up to 23 combined miles per gallon for small trucks and up to 25 combined miles per gallon for full-size pickups, according to data tracked by the according to data tracked by the US Department of Energy. Higher trim models offer the full array of today’s most modern safety features, and for those who require it: bonafide luxury. Full premium leather interiors, well-appointed trim, and modern amenities like heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. They’re roomy too, as manufacturers offer them in four-door crew cab configuration, making these vehicles among the most spacious on the market. The caveat, of course, is the price, as these luxury-trimmed trucks can fetch prices of over US$60,000 when fully-loaded.
Does your job require towing and heavy payload vehicle capabilities? Look no further than pickup trucks. Even a base trim pickup from almost any manufacturer will offer plentiful towing and payload capabilities while doubling as comfortable, reliable daily driver. Pickup trucks are some of the most versatile vehicles on the market, and the perfect choice if you need truck to do it all.
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