| The Truck is a favorite when it comes to owning a | | | | Today's trucks come loaded with the best in safety |
| reliable vehicle that can be used for a variety of | | | | equipment like anti-lock brakes, drive train slippage |
| purposes. Whether you want to use a truck for | | | | prevention and air bags. Just like cars, the newer year |
| commercial use at your job or just because need | | | | trucks will offer you, your family or employees a higher |
| something to pull your boat or haul household items | | | | safety rating than an older used truck. That's especially |
| around, a truck can be your most valued possession. | | | | important if you will be using the truck for family |
| However, trucks can be a bit more expensive, have | | | | transportation or as part of a corporate fleet of |
| special licensing and insurance requirements. Often | | | | vehicles. When purchasing a used truck, you may |
| truck resellers take advantage of this when they are in | | | | want to inquire as to the safety rating and ask about |
| the business of making money so it's a "buyers | | | | any safety equipment that it has before you decide to |
| beware" market. Here are some things to look out for | | | | purchase it. That can save lives in the event of an |
| when shopping for a used truck: | | | | accident. |
| Truck Size | | | | Passenger Capacity/Interior |
| When shopping for a used truck, the most important | | | | There are three basic styles when it comes to truck |
| thing to consider is how big of a truck you actually | | | | interiors. These include regular cab, extended cab and |
| need to get the job done. If you will be hauling relatively | | | | crew cabs. What that means is if you will need |
| light loads or small trailers, then a nice compact truck | | | | additional room inside the truck, such as for employees |
| should work nicely for you. In contrast, if you have a | | | | or family, you will need the type of cab space to |
| large boat or equipment that will be pulled around on a | | | | accommodate that. Too many people have learned |
| consistent basis, then a larger model will be better. | | | | tion stick in the middle of the front seat area. Try |
| Keeping this in mind before walking into a used truck | | | | putting a car seat there and you'll see how frustrating |
| dealership should help prevent you from driving off | | | | that can be. When buying a used truck, try to picture |
| with an overpriced full size truck that is more looks | | | | who will be riding in the truck on a regular basis and |
| than functional for you- with the payments to show for | | | | how much room you will actually need. |
| it. | | | | Towing Ability |
| Engine and Fuel Usagehe hard way that it's nearly | | | | People often buy trucks to handle touch hauling jobs |
| impossible for the family to ride together in a regular | | | | like towing boats, work trailers or other equipment. |
| cab truck that has a standard transmiss | | | | These can be personal or work related so in order to |
| If you are looking for value for your truck purchase, | | | | get the best value on a used truck, its important to |
| you may be surprised to find that many compact | | | | inquire as to the truck's towing ability before you buy it. |
| trucks get the same mileage as cars. There are | | | | Here's a range to keep in mind: Compact trucks can |
| compact truck models that have 4, 6, and eight | | | | tow between 1-1.5 tons, full-size trucks can tow 4-5 |
| cylinder engines and automatic transmissions that will | | | | tons depending on how they are equipped. |
| give you a good mileage per dollar investment. That's | | | | Buying a used truck doesn't have to be a major |
| in contrast to the larger 10 and diesel engines that full | | | | headache if you know what you want and how much |
| size trucks offer. Unless the dealership is giving you an | | | | you should spend. Taking some time beforehand to |
| excellent deal on the price to compensate for the lack | | | | research the different types of trucks and their |
| of fuel economy, then it's probably not worth it to buy | | | | available features will save you a great deal of time, |
| a full size truck for everyday use. | | | | money and trouble after the fact. |
| Safety Equipment | | | | |