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Trucks for Buyers - Information for the Pickup Lover. Custom Search
Buyers of Pickup Trucks Basic Information I'm sure most buyers of pickups have heard different models of pickups referred to as half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton vehicles. All three terms refer to pickup load capacity. For instance, a half ton pickups springs, chassis, and bed are designed to safely carry a maximum of 1000 pounds, or one-half of a ton. Most manufacturers have stopped using weight-related terms to describe their pickup. Most buyers should know that they have switched to number or letter designations that don't usually help you determine a pickup's load rating, pickup buyers need to get the facts before carrying a heavy load. Half-Ton Pickup Trucks - General Purpose Drive to work Move furniture Haul trash Modify for lowrider and sport truck Three-Quarter-Ton Pickup - General Purpose, Heavier Loads Hauling dirt or sand Light fifth-wheel trailer use with in-bed campers One-Ton Pickup - Heavy Cargo Hauling large loads of sand, dirt, wood Large in-bed campers Heavy fifth-wheel trailers, such as horse trailers or car trailers Important Points for the Pickup Buyer to Remember Pickup Buyers need to know that engine, transmission, axle gearing, and "people load" also play a part in the capabilities if you buy a pickup. Overload springs will help keep the vehicle level when loaded or overloaded, but they do nothing to strengthen the axle, wheel bearings, tires, or frame. Terms Used to Describe Pickups. Pickup Buyers should know that most auto manufacturers call their traditional truck body, with front seats and not much space behind them, a Regular Cab. From there, naming systems branch off, with each automaker choosing a name to describe its varied pickup bodies. Four door pickups with rear passenger seats are called: Crew Cab (Chevy, GMC, Nissan) Quad Cab (Dodge) Double Cab (Toyota) SuperCrew (Ford) To buy a pickup with additional space behind the passenger seats; may or may not have rear doors; rear seats are often fold-down versions, commonly called jump seats Extended Cab (Chevy, GMC) King Cab (Nissan) XtraCab (Toyota) Access Cab (Toyota, with rear doors) SuperCab (Ford) SE Cab Plus (Mazda) Club Cab (Dodge Dakota) The naming system for individual models gets more complicated and changes fairly often as new trucks are introduced. You'll see terms such as SE, LE, XLT, and numerous others used to describe options packages and trim levels. Are you about to buy a truck? Looking for a new or used Pickup? Why travel from showroom to showroom or used car lot to used car lot? Within minutes, truck buyer from the comfort of your own home you can do all the research and have many trucks to choose from. Autobytel offers the premier site for new and used truck research and will provide you with free quote on what ever you desire. The search truck buyer starts here:
For additional Information for Buyers of Trucks Click here. Is an SUV the Right Vehicle for You?
Not sure if you should buy an SUV? Here are five of the most common reasons people give for buying a sport utility vehicle. Are they good reasons? You decide.
Reason #5
They need a combination of pulling capacity and passenger seating. It's true that many SUVs are capable of towing over 2500 pounds and most of them seat five passengers; some even offer third row seating. Reason #4 They feel an SUV is a safer vehicle because it's larger and heavier built. And they like a vehicle with taller seating. (There have been concerns about rollover, but most manufacturers are working on systems to minimize the risk.) Reason #3 They want the cargo capacity and feel that an SUV holds more than a station wagon.The cargo area of an SUV may indeed be taller, but in many instances is not as long as that of a station wagon.) Reason #2 They want a vehicle that will get around better in the snow. (While this may be true when you compare an SUV to a rear wheel drive car, it may or may not be the case when compared to a front wheel or all wheel drive car with proper tires.) Reason #1 They want the offroading capabilities. (Many sport utility vehicles do not do well in true offroading conditions, and the number of people who actually take them offroad is small in comparison to the number of people who drive them.) But The Truth Is Most people buy an SUV because they can. It may not truly fit any of their needs, but it fulfills their wants. We Americans are in love with our cars. We appreciate good styling, and SUVs are currently in vogue. Part of the reason we work for a living is to obtain the things we want, including our choice of transporation. Yes, SUVs use more gas than most cars, but there are hybrid SUVs coming that address that concern. The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is one example, and thanks to an innovative design it's a hybrid that generates its own energy--and never needs to be plugged in. Watch for even more SUV hybrids to be introduced. Whether your reason for owning an SUV is "valid" or not, if it's what you want to drive, and you have the means, it should be what's in your garage. For additional SUV Buyer information, Click Here
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