Colorado’s love affair with the pickup truck has only become more passionate.
Although total U.S. auto sales eased slightly last year, automakers sold 2.8 million full and mid-size pickup trucks in 2017, a 4.8% increase over the prior year. Pickup trucks now account for 16.4% of U.S. auto sales. That’s up from 15.3 % in 2016.
Used truck registrations in Colorado were up even more, at 17%.
Today’s pickups are safer and more comfortable, and sales to women and families are on the rise. Could one be right for you?
If you’re wondering about the reasons to buy a pickup truck, or you’re curious about the benefits of owning a pickup truck, you’ve come to the right place!
We sell a lot of trucks here at Dye Autos in the Wheat Ridge/Denver area and we’ve found that our customers really love their trucks, and are often surprised by how resourceful they are. Here are 7 benefits you’ll enjoy when you own a pickup truck.
Pickup trucks support all kinds of activity.
All it takes is a couch or armoire that needs to be moved from “here” to “there,” and next thing you know, you’re thinking you really should own a pickup truck.
But there are so many other activities the a pickup truck is perfect for:
Think of all the incredibly cool things you could be doing with a pickup truck that are impossible with the car you’re now driving.
While all vehicles these days are loaded with safety technologies such as airbags and side impact beams, driving a pickup truck is still a safer bet. Why? Sitting up high offers great visibility of the road and other drivers.
Most pickup trucks are heavier than a coupe or sedan and many SUVs. Physics will tell you that when two objects collide, mass does matter. Pickup trucks are the larger of the two vehicles, thereby increasing the chance that you’ll walk away unharmed.
There are studies to back this up. “In its studies, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that a heavier vehicle will typically push a lighter one backward during the impact,” explains Edmunds.com. “As a result, there is less force on the occupants of the heavier vehicle and more on those in the lighter vehicle, according to IIHS. The organization’s fatality data bears this out.”
Most people think of hauling and towing things first when they consider getting a truck. It’s one of the biggest benefits of owning a pickup truck – the ability to throw a lot of stuff in the back or haul a heavy trailer. You can transport all your stuff and not have to bug someone else for help or rent a truck. It’s one of the defining arguments in the truck vs SUV debate.
To choose the best pickup for towing, truck shoppers should consider the factors that contribute to towing capability. Start by asking yourself two simple questions will help you narrow your choices:
If you’ll often use your pickup without the trailer, you’ll want to choose a vehicle that suits those needs, too. You’ll want to choose a lighter or more-efficient pickup that’s able to handle your trailer but is also a ride that you can live with every day.
It might seem funny, but people treat you differently when you roll up in a truck. If you don’t believe that, try renting one for a week and see for yourself.
People will treat you like a confident, self-assured individual who isn’t afraid to get your hands dirty. You’ll get called “boss” by random strangers, something they’d never say if you had just climbed out of a sedan.
Be warned that there’s a downside to all that respect, because people might respect you enough to ask for help moving.
Even though they’re a bit softer on the inside, pickup trucks are still designed to conquer difficult terrain. No matter what the road conditions, a modern pickup truck can push through and get you to your destination.
Whether you need to traverse an off-road trail to get to your favorite remote campsite or pound snowdrifts into submission to get to the ski resort, a good, properly equipped pickup can get you there.
Today’s pickup trucks come with all the creature comforts you see on luxury car models.
The benefit of driving a pickup truck is that if you have a family or want to take a group of people with you, you don’t have to contend with cramped rear seats. Models with cabs make it easy for adults to get in and out. The middle rear seat isn’t some pathetic cushion only large enough for a teddy bear – it can accommodate a full-grown adult.
Legroom, headroom and shoulder room are also ample, which is a luxury you just don’t get in many vehicles.
Pickup trucks are affordable. Used pickup truck models are especially affordable and often retain their value. At Dye Autos, we’ve got a large inventory of affordable pickup trucks for every budget.
Are you ready to take advantage of all these pickup truck benefits? Call us at (303) 286-1665.
Updated on April 12 2024
The venerable pickup truck has seen a resurgence over the past couple of years. Pickups started life as utility and commercial vehicles for farming and work duties. Now, pickup trucks are the preferred choice of buyers looking for a safe, stylish, and do-it-all driving machine.
Are you considering a pickup truck for your next ride? Before taking the plunge, it's better to understand the pros and cons of pickup trucks and why this vehicle may be the right choice for your active lifestyle.
It's easy to understand why pickup trucks are becoming the preferred choice of transport for many Filipino families after the MPV. Pickups are bigger and sit higher off the ground, perfect when navigating flooded streets or pockmarked roads. In addition, most pickup trucks have a body-on-frame ladder chassis that makes them indispensable when towing or hauling heavier cargo.
The pickup truck we know today can trace its history back to 1902 when the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company (based in Pontiac, Michigan) built a one-ton truck for carrying heavy items and supplies. Then, in 1913, the Galion Allsteel Body Company made a pickup truck based on the Ford Model T's chassis by installing hauling boxes at the vehicle's rear.
1923 Ford Model T pickupIt wasn't until the 1950s that consumers began looking at pickup trucks as lifestyle vehicles. The Ford F-Series remains the best-selling vehicle in North America today, followed closely by the Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500 – both of which are also pickup trucks.
Back on home soil, the Ford Ranger accounted for 67-percent of overall vehicle sales by Ford Philippines in 2019, meaning two out of three vehicles Ford sold were Ranger pickup trucks. And in 2020, Isuzu Philippines Corporation became the top brand for utility vehicles and light-duty pickup trucks for the 22nd year in a row, led by the unbreakable Isuzu D-MAX.
When it comes to pickups, the pros will usually outweigh the cons. So here are the advantages of owning or driving a pickup truck:
A. Pickup trucks have loads of power to spare, especially those equipped with turbocharged diesel engines.
B. Pickup trucks can tow heavier and larger loads for work and play. For instance, the Nissan Navara has a 1,000 kg payload and has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg. Meanwhile, the Isuzu D-Max has a higher 1,070 payload rating, but it can also tow up to 3,500 kg. Try that with a standard hatchback or sedan.
C. Pickup trucks have enough room for a small family with four doors and five seats. As a result, the pickup truck offers a more practical and versatile solution than a comparable SUV. Plus, you can stow all your cargo in the bed while still enjoying creature comforts like air-conditioning, power amenities, and more.
D. Trucks have higher ground clearances, which can only mean good things when driving on Philippine roads. Of course, pickup trucks are not impervious to the dangers of deep floods, but the higher ground clearance makes it less stressful when crossing six to 12 inches of flood water.
E. Superior off-road capabilities. Most pickup trucks have 4WD or all-wheel drivetrains and chunkier tires (and higher ground clearances) to conquer inhospitable terrain like sand, mud, or loose gravel.
Admittedly, the cons of pickup trucks are far and few in between, but there are certain disadvantages to owning or driving one.
A. Pickup trucks are less fuel-efficient than a sedan. With heavier bodies and robust underpinnings, pickup trucks are not as fuel-efficient as a small sedan or hatchback like the Mitsubishi Mirage or Toyota Wigo. However, the availability of diesel engines will slightly offset this fact.
B. Parking can be a chore. Pickup trucks have a long bed in the rear and are wider than a car, making them trickier to park. But then again, modern trucks are usually equipped with backing sensors and a rearview camera to make parking less of a hassle.
C. High maintenance costs. Larger vehicles have bigger and heavier components than a sedan or hatchback, which means the spare parts are more expensive and require higher labor costs. Also, diesel engines require more frequent oil changes, especially under heavy usage scenarios.
D. Stiffer ride quality. Most pickup trucks have leaf-spring suspension in the rear. Leaf springs are ideal for carrying heavy cargo but are not known to deliver a smooth and calm ride.
The workhorse pickup truck is slowly evolving right before our very eyes. Modern trucks are now home to a bevy of modern technology and safety features like touchscreen infotainment systems, advanced driving aids, and more.
If you want a pickup truck, knowing the pros and cons will help you make a more informed buying decision.