The Truck for the Job
P.Moore
In the past, trucks were fairly basic, without a myriad of options to choose from; they were all pretty much the same. Sure, there were styling differences, but under the hood, a truck was pretty much a truck.
Zip forward half a century and things have changed in the pickup world. Today, you can choose from thousands of options and even a Build-Your-Own Truck website for most major brands to ensure you get the custom feeling from a large name truck. You also have choices on the type of truck you need depending on what you are doing with it. Some just like the truck feel, others are hauling 10 horses in the back over a 3,000 mile distance. So choosing wisely saves on the wallet but also the strength of the truck itself. A truck has got to be able to do what it was built for. So how do you choose the right pickup truck? One way is to take some time and write down what it is you are doing with your truck. For purposes of this article, we are going to make it as simple as possible and we are going to assume Mr. Joe Horseman is needing a truck to haul his 1-6 horses to all the local and long distance horse shows. Before choosing his tow vehicle Mr. Horseman should know how much his trailer weighs. The number on the sticker on the trailer is not the weight of the trailer, but the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR. This is the manufacturers maximum capacity of the trailer including the weight of the trailer empty and anything being hauled in it, but not the weight of the truck. The trailer should never be loaded past this capacity. With this, you will know the trailer will not ever weigh more than that amount unless you overload it. This also gives you the weight margin you need to haul the live shifting weight of horses or other stock. Once Mr. Horseman knows the weight of his trailer then he knows how much the tow vehicle has to be rated to pull his trailer safely, also called towing capacity. There are two different towing capacities depending on your trailer. Either bumper-pull on a regular hitch or a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch that is hooked up to a ball hitch inside the bed of the truck. Hauling with a vehicle that is inadequate will put extra wear and tear on the engine and the drive train and will shorten the life of your vehicle. You will not be able to maneuver on the road and in case of making a short stop you could lose control of the trailer and it may jack-knife or flip on you. The truck must have enough power to pull the extra load and still perform comfortably at its maximum.
Towing capacity is determined primarily by the engine size, the axle ratio, and the transmission. Every manufacturer puts out a vehicle tow guide at their locations that can be obtained at any dealership. Insist on seeing this information before you buy your vehicle. Ask to see the information in print.
There are many many trucks to look at that will do the job Mr. Horseman wants it to do. Some will fit perfectly while others are sincerely over-doing it. The bigger guys from 450’s to Peterbuilts, not only cost more, but they are much more expensive to own all around from fuel, insurance, to upkeep. For the sake of this article, again we are looking at what Mr. Horseman wants, which is to pull 1-6 horses and other tasks associated with having these horses like hauling feed and such. So in this side by side comparison, we will look at the 4 major brands of pickups out there and line ‘em up for review.
I will mention a note of significance first: The Dodge Ram powertrain warranty for the 2009 editions only, are offer unlimited miles and years. Starting with their 2010 models, they have changed significantly from a 3 year, 36000 mile to a 5 year, 100,000 mile, which brings them up to the warranty standards of the rest of the brands.
As you will see, most of the vehicles are very similar where it counts for horse people. What will help you make up your mind? Go and drive each one, get a feel for the long-haul conditions like the interior, seat comfort, leg room, etc. The prices listed are starting prices, which may also give you a headstart on where you want to go first.
Thank you to Max and Ryan at DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge, and Steve Burchfield of Paradise Chevrolet, both in Temecula, and Steve Strain at Lake Buick Pontiac GMC in Lake Elsinore. These are the guys that can answer all your major questions.
Happy Hauling!
