10 Things to Consider When Buying a Pickup Truck

As an independent truck driver or truck owner-operator, buying a pickup truck is a big financial investment and includes a whole list of things to consider, such as model type, pricing, or pickup truck insurance. It does not matter whether you are going for a brand-new truck or the good oldie; the money spent should be worth enough to fulfill your purpose.

Furthermore, from light-duty to medium- to heavy-duty, there are different types of pickup trucks available in the market based on their configuration, pricing, and intended use. They are no longer restricted to only traders, transporters, or farmers. Besides these, there are truck dealers out there who are constantly keeping a close watch on rookie truck purchasers like you.

So how do you buy the right pickup truck for your business?

Don’t worry. In this blog, we have listed the top 10 factors that will help you understand the bigger picture (including the whys, hows, and types of considerations) and narrow down your options to select the best pickup truck for yourself.

So, let’s dive into them.

Pickup truck buying tips: what to look for?

The intended purpose of the truck

The very first step before you go shopping for the pickup truck is to ask yourself how you are going to use this unit. Do you want to use it as a local tradesman for providing lightweight transporting services between urban and suburban areas? Or, do you want to transport passengers along with a considerable load? Or use it as a hybrid pickup truck, which is the next big thing. This will help you narrow down your search to the right set of features for your truck.

The brand-new or the second-hand

Next, you need to decide whether you want to buy a brand-new pickup truck or a used one. While the second-hand truck will cost you less money, it has its own dark sides and a whole gamble playing in the back end. For example, you can’t get an exact count on its usage and are also unaware of its maintenance history. As a result, you could end up spending all the money you have saved by purchasing it at a low cost on its future maintenance.

But all these issues will be cut down with the brand-new truck. However, if you buy a used truck, which is almost as good as the new truck, from a known dealer, then you can consider this option.

Increase your spending plan

Purchasing a truck is not the same as purchasing a car, which you have most likely already done. It takes a significant investment. Therefore, it’s a wise idea to revise your budget before you start your search for the right pickup truck.

Moreover, there is a guideline according to which your truck deposit should not exceed 15% of your take-home salary. On top of that, you would also want to decrease the monthly installment amount for which you need to exceed your down payment. Thus, it is a good idea to pre-finance from a bank and even consider pickup truck insurance from your financial adviser.

Know the bed size: mid or full

Knowing what you will be hauling and what you will not be will guide your pickup truck choices. For example, if you are planning to use the truck only for driving purposes, a midsize truck is enough for you. It is very easy to park and can also carry basic day-to-day utilities.

Contrary to popular belief, if you are planning on hauling cargo or simply towing a trailer, then you should go for a full-size bed. And while we are on that subject, here is a piece of advice: make sure you have on-hook towing insurance if you are planning to use your truck for towing.

Choose between low, medium, or heavy-duty

After you have decided the purpose of your truck for towing, it is time to decide how much weight you will be hauling, i.e., the capacity of your pickup truck. Ignoring this can have a huge effect on your truck’s engine. For example, if your truck is carrying more than its actual capacity, it may put additional stress on its mechanical parts and also increase its operational costs.

Therefore, first, estimate your load-carrying requirements. And then, depending on the available weight hauling options – light duty, medium duty, and heavy-duty – pick accordingly. For a more precise decision, always take a test drive.

Decide on engine and axle ratio to use

Truck manufacturers are producing way more efficient trucks than ever before. Now the pickup trucks are coming with 4-, 6-, or 8-cylinder engines. Moreover, diesel engines are also available in these trucks and provide a longer engine life as compared to others. Therefore, give the truck engine great consideration, as it can balance out the factors between horsepower and fuel economy.

Another thing to take into account is the axle ratio. The greater the axle ratio a pickup truck will have, the greater its load-hauling capacity; thus, more fuel will be burned by the engine.

Manual vs. Automatic

Irrespective of light, medium, or heavy-duty, the next critical thing to consider is the manual or automatic transmission of a pickup truck. This is important, especially in cases where your route is always busy and jammed. Automatic transmission will save you from continuously shifting gears. However, these are costly, unlike trucks with manual transmissions, which also offer lesser maintenance.

Travelers Capacity

Even though the standard trucks are not designed to be passenger-friendly, there are some models available on the market that offer sufficient room for additional people onboard. This is found especially in large pickup trucks.

Customization options

Decades ago, purchasing a pickup truck meant considering the limited features like the auto-power locks system. But these days, more advanced features are available for truck buyers, such as the infotainment system, jet-black window sun shades, a range of seat covers, and even the power liftgate. Just make sure to check the final price before choosing any of them, as all of these can add up to a significant amount.

Be sure to check the regulations and hidden fees

While on your quest to purchase the right pickup truck, you might find that choosing the larger or the heavy-duty truck will charge an additional licensing fee than the normal truck. In some states, a light-duty pickup truck is also considered a commercial truck. So, make sure you contact your truck dealer or motor vehicle dealer before you close the deal.

We hope you found the blog informative. And you noted all the points you needed to buy the pickup truck. Following all the aforesaid points will help you find the right pickup truck insurance for your business.