Finding the Right Sized Used Truck
When you’re looking for used trucks for sale, you will come across many different variations—different brands, sizes, and year models. The decision can quickly get overwhelming, but the first factor you want to consider before getting started is your truck’s ideal size. You will need a larger, heavy-duty truck if you plan on doing any intense labor such as construction. A full-size 1500-level truck is a great catchall for average labor and convenience, and smaller mid size trucks work great for casual towing and hauling. Not sure exactly where you fall in these lines? We’re here to help you get started.
Compact to Midsize Trucks
There aren’t many compact trucks on the market these days. In fact, as of late, the only modern compact truck on the market is the newer Ford Maverick truck. There isn’t a huge market for the compact truck because it’s designed more for aesthetics than labor. For example, the Ford Maverick can only tow up to 2,000 pounds, which is less than most SUVs and even many crossovers can pull. Unless you just need a truck bed to haul your lawnmower, you probably need something more powerful than a compact truck.
This is where the midsize truck comes into play. You’ve probably seen these models quite regularly. They’re the Ford Ranger, the Chevy Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and the Nissan Frontier, to name a few of the more popular models. These are great used trucks that can tow several thousand pounds while still remaining lightweight and flexible. Why is being lightweight important to some truck owners? For off-roading, of course! These lighter models perform better on backroads and trails than full-size and heavy-duty trucks do. So, if you’re towing fishing boats, kayaks, and small campers while enjoying a nice off-roading trail on occasion, the midsize truck is perfect for you.
The Fullsize 1500-Level Truck
The most common truck you’re going to see out there is the 1500-level truck. You’ve seen many on the road, such as the Chevy Silverado 1500, the RAM 1500, and the Ford F-150. These are the trucks that seem to be everywhere. Some are old and worn, others look clean and sophisticated and are used solely for camping and commuting, while others pull heavy equipment and small to midsize campers. Some drivers never even leave the pavement in their full-size trucks, and that’s okay. The full-size truck is heavier than the midsize option but still lightweight and maneuverable enough to remain convenient. This truck class is the perfect balance between a midsize truck and a heavy-duty truck.
The Heavy-Duty (HD) Options
Now, we’re getting into the less charted territory. The heavy-duty truck comes in two classes—the 2500 and the 3500. You’ve seen these around. Think about the Ford F-250 and F-350 models, the RAM 2500 and 3500, and the Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500. These are larger trucks that occasionally have dual rear wheels, and the diesel models are so loud that you may mistake them for an airplane landing nearby. These are powerful models designed to perform the toughest of jobs like hauling large, loaded livestock trailers, pulling a houseboat, or towing large, heavy-duty equipment.
The 2500-level truck offers a lot more power than your everyday 1500-level truck, but it’s still significantly less powerful than the 3500-level beast. When you look at most 2500 and 3500 HD models side-by-side, they’ll likely look pretty similar. Take the 2500 and 3500-level Silverado HD models, for example. These two trucks almost look identical. In fact, they offer almost the same features and the same engine options to boot. So, what’s the difference, you ask? Performance.
This might get confusing because if both models offer the same engines, how can one outperform the other? The answer is in their suspension systems. The 3500-level Chevy Silverado HD model is capable of having dual wheels, giving it a much larger tow capacity than the 2500-level truck despite offering the same engines. Its heavier rear suspension may lessen the 3500-level Silverado’s ride quality, but it makes it much more powerful. These comparisons remain true for all 2500 and 3500-level HD trucks.
If you want better ride quality and you’re fine with towing more than a 1500-level truck and less than a 3500-level truck, then the 2500-level models are great; however, on average, there’s only a $1,200 price difference between 2500 and 3500-level heavy-duty trucks. So, if you’re fine with a rougher ride, then the 3500 is well worth the extra grand. It’s also important to note that when it comes to towing with an HD truck, the diesel engine will always be your stronger option.
What About Payload Capacity?
Payload capacity is also important to remember when you’re trying to figure out what size of truck you need. Further, payload needs are very different from towing needs. Maybe you’re less concerned with towing and more concerned with hauling because you’re looking to buy a truck bed camper. If that’s the case, a heavy-duty truck is almost required.
There’s a pretty large gap between a 2500-level truck’s payload and a 3500-level truck’s payload capacity. For example, a 2020 Silverado 2500 HD’s max payload is 3,862 pounds, while the 3500-level’s is 7,442 pounds—almost double the amount. This trend follows closely across makes and models. If you want to get a decked-out truck bed camper, you’ll want to stick with a 3500-level HD model to play it safely. This is especially true when you’re going for older models, as the payload capacities will lower the older you go.
Take Home the Right Used Truck
There’s a lot more to the truck market than what you’d expect at a surface level. As you can see, the truck audience ranges anywhere from casual commuters to hardcore farmers and everything in between. There are many different uses for trucks, even when it comes to towing, which divides these classes into the categories we know today. Now that you have an idea of which truck size you need, it’s time to pick the used truck model for you.
We recommend the Chevy Silverado if you’re looking for a labor truck. This model is great for 1500-level truckers and heavy-duty truck owners alike. The Sierra HD is also a good option, but it’s better for those who need power with a sprinkle of luxury. That said, the Ford F Series is up there as well, with RAM following closely. When it comes to midsize trucks, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are our favorites, as they both offer great off-roading options and a nice trim selection. The Ford Ranger is great if you need a midsize truck with a slightly higher payload capacity than its competitors.
Since you have a better idea of which truck you’re looking for, let our team here at Jay Hatfield Chevrolet help you with the rest. We’ve got a great selection of used trucks for sale that include standard CARFAX reports and are all available to look at via our online inventory. Whether you want to stop in and see us in person or check out our online selection, we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. The buying process is stressful enough, and we don’t want to add to it. We’re excited to help make your trade-in and/or new purchase a smooth and easy transition.