From Dale Wickell,
Your Guide to Trucks.
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In the past, trucks were fairly basic, without a ton of options to choose from, and they all looked somewhat similar. Sure, there were styling variations between the automakers, but all in all a truck was a truck.

Things have definitely changed. Today's drivers have plenty of choices, from basic work trucks designed to haul cargo to option-filled trucks that rival a luxury sedan.

So how do you choose the right pickup truck? One way to get started is to take some time to analyze your wants and needs.

Do You Have a Favorite Automaker?

If you do, and the automaker builds trucks, that's the obvious place to start.

• References in Truck Reviews & Specs are arranged by year and by automaker. You'll find reviews, facts about features and options, and specifications--enough to give you a good overview of what each truck has to offer.

Compact Truck or Full Size Truck?

Compact trucks are smaller in scale than full size trucks. They can usually tow up to about 3,000 pounds, a weight that accommodates many trailer and boat towing tasks. If you have heavier towing needs, move up to a mid-size or full size truck.

Mid-size pickups can be closer in size to a compact or to a full-size truck. Comparing trucks on dealer lots is the best way to understand how they compare to each other in exterior and interior size.

Compact trucks usually get better gas mileage than their full size counterparts, but check EPA Fuel Economy Ratings to confirm average mileage stats (but be prepared for actual mileage to differ).

Make sure the interior space in a compact truck is spacious enough to suit your needs.

Engine Choices

You'll find four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines in compact trucks. Full-size trucks offer more variety, with six-cylinders, V8s, V10s and diesels.

Drivetrain Options

Most of the trucks on the market are available with either a manual or automatic transmission and your choice of 2WD or 4WD. You'll find many trucks offer limited-slip or locking differentials and electronic traction control. Safety options are becoming increasingly popular on new pickup trucks.

What Are Your Seating Needs?

There are several truck cab styles, so you should be able to find one that suits your seating needs.

• A standard cab truck has one bench or two bucket seats--no second row seating and (usually) no substantial storage behind the seats.

• An extended cab truck has jump seats or a bench seat in back. Be sure to sit in the back while someone else drives the vehicle so that you have a feel for its seating comfort.
  • Extended cabs provide extra space to carry groceries or other packages behind the first row -- out of the weather and locked up for security.

• A crew cab truck has full second row seating, with 4-doors that swing open towards the front. Crew cabs are gaining in popularity as more and more people use pickup trucks as their primary vehicle.

  Toyota's Tundra CrewMax has a deep second row -- enough space for rear seats to recline. Starting in 2009, the Dodge Ram Mega Cab offers reclining rear seats.

  Cab Configuration Tips
  • Automakers use different terms to describe their cab styles. Here's a description of the cab styles you'll see when you go shopping.

  • The pictures in the Truck Cab and Box Photo Gallery give you a better understanding of the different truck cabs that are available.

Truck Box Configurations

A typical truck cargo box has fairly straight exterior sides, with arched areas just inside the bed to accommodate the rear wheels. There's room to tuck shorter cargo in the spaces in front of and behind each arch.

Stepside boxes have flared fenders, with the flares providing space for the rear wheels. Stepsides have straight edges along all interior bed sides, but you lose the short spaces in line with the wheel arches in a standard box.

See the Truck Cab and Box Photo Gallery.

How Long Should the Truck Bed Be?

Pickup trucks are available in variety of bed lengths, ranging from about 5 ft. to 8 ft. long.

You'll need a long bed truck to haul building supplies or other cargo of significant length. If you haul heavy and bulky items you can get by with a shorter bed, but you'll need a truck that will handle the weight.

Read Pickup Truck Load Basics to get a better feel for the hauling capabilities of different types of trucks.

Do You Have Towing Needs?

Do you need a truck to tow a trailer or boat, and if you do, how much weight do you pull? Be sure to check the towing capacity of the truck you are considering to make sure it meets your needs. In general, look for a vehicle with good hp and torque and with a suitable suspension. Special towing packages are available on some trucks.

This list of Top Vehicles for Towing might help. Some of the autos are SUVs, not pickups, but you'll find tips to help you choose a good towing vehicle.

What's Your Budget?

Like cars, there's a huge variety in truck prices, with full size base models and some compacts starting well under $20,000. Luxury and performance trucks cost considerably more.

Also See: Edmunds.com, Top 10 Least Expensive Trucks to Insure for 2004