What to Know Before Buying a Work Truck

So you’re interested in buying a new work truck? Whether you’re using the vehicle for personal projects, or adding a truck to your company’s commercial fleet, there are a lot of factors to consider before making a purchase. Work trucks come in a variety of sizes and styles, and offer a huge range of capabilities for drivers. Before heading to the dealership, make sure you take a look at these guidelines for selecting the right truck for you. Think about the following questions:

What is the max load that my work truck will need to tow or haul?

Consider what you plan on using your new work truck for. Do you need to have a lot of towing capability? Or will you be mostly carrying payloads in the truck bed? Regardless of whether you are towing or hauling, what is the maximum weight that you will need to carry? Thinking about these factors can help you start to narrow down your options. 

When you consider hauling capability, work trucks are divided into three categories. These include light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles. These categories are determined using something called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (or GVWR). This value represents the maximum load carrying capacity of the truck. This includes the weight of the truck itself, fuel, and passengers, in addition to the weight of any payload that you may be carrying in either the truck bed or cab of the vehicle. Never ever exceed the GVWR. This is the absolute maximum weight that your vehicle can operate at before safety becomes an issue. Manufacturers cannot guarantee vehicle performance above this maximum load. Because of this, it’s essential that you know how much weight you plan on hauling prior to purchasing your new vehicle. There are eight weight classes within the GVWR system, as follows:

Light-Duty Trucks

Class 1: GVWR of 0 to 6,000 pounds

Class 2: GVWR of 6,001 to 10,000 pounds

Class 3: GVWR of 10,001 to 14,000

Medium-Duty Trucks

Class 4: GVWR of 14,001 to 16,000 pounds

Class 5: GVWR of 16,001 to 19,500 pounds

Class 6: GVWR of 19,501 to 26,000 pounds

Heavy-Duty Trucks

Class 7: GVWR of 26,001 to 33,000 pounds

Class 8: GVWR of 33,001 pounds or more

The GVWR classification of a truck is different from the vehicle’s towing capability. When towing, you are pulling weight, applying load to the frame in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, when you are hauling something in the truck bed, you are pushing down vertically on the vehicle frame. The towing capacity will vary depending on things like the engine, transmission, and suspension of the work truck. Typically, your vehicle will come with a sticker on the door that displays the towing capacity. If not, you can always verify using the owner’s manual. If there is ever any doubt, do not hesitate to ask the dealership about whether or not the truck you’re interested in is safe for the amount of weight you plan on towing. As a general rule of thumb, heavy-duty pickup trucks can tow upwards of 30,000 lbs. When it comes to light-duty trucks, that figure typically sits between 5,000 to 10,000 lbs. 

Do I need a 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive truck?

Despite what those unfamiliar with work trucks may think, most light-duty vehicles are actually two-wheel drive. This includes many pickups, cargo trucks, and delivery vans. Benefits include less chance of transmission problems, increased fuel efficiency, and overall cheaper costs. In general, two-wheel drive is good enough for most work applications. However, consider the specific environments in which you will be driving. Do you work off road a lot, or have to deal with wintry conditions part of the year? If so, a four-wheel drive vehicle may be better suited to your needs, despite the higher price tag. A four-wheel drive truck is also a better option if you need to tow exceptionally heavy loads. This will provide you with more stability and control, particularly in slippery or off road conditions. 

Do I need a gas or diesel engine?

The type of engine you have will play a big role when it comes to towing capability, payload capacity, and ultimate costs. Typically, diesel trucks tend to have higher towing capacity, since they have high torque compared to gasoline engines. These vehicles are often more durable and may last you a longer period of time. On the other hand, gasoline engines are cheaper to both buy upfront and maintain over time. They also tend to have higher payload capacity. 

What size truck bed is required for my work?

Think about what you plan on carrying in your vehicle. What type of payloads will you primarily have? What size? Dimension your truck bed based on expected payloads. Typically, truck bed lengths are divided into:

Short bed: 5’5” to 5’8”

Standard bed: 6’3” to 6’6”

Long bed: 8’ to 8’1”

Depending on what you plan on carrying, you may want an open or closed truck bed. Closed truck beds include roofing and walls to better protect and contain cargo. This may also be a consideration if you work somewhere with frequent bad weather conditions. 

How much room do I need in the truck cab for my passengers? 

Work trucks come with a variety of cab types and sizes. The type of cab you ultimately select should depend on the number of passengers you plan on transporting. Typically, cab types include the following:

Standard cab: This traditional truck typically only has two seats. Sometimes a third middle seat is provided, but does not offer a lot of comfort. 

Extended cab: These trucks have jump seats behind the front row. Based on the small size, these may not be comfortable for a normal-sized adult to use on a regular basis. These vehicles only have two doors.

Crew cab: These work trucks can accommodate up to 6 people in the front and rear seats. They have four doors, and are a great option for work crews that need to travel to the job together.

Conclusion

It can be confusing buying a work truck – especially if it’s your first time! Follow the above guidelines to help steer you in the right direction. If you are ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional at Vann York. And make sure that you check out our specials for Truck Season!

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