What are the advantages of owning a 2 wheel drive pickup truck?

Well, for one, it can have an overall better capability than a 4 wheel drive truck. People often mistakenly think that because a 4 wheel drive truck can go off-road, that it is more capable. But in reality, a 2 wheel drive truck can do just as much if not more with the right configuration.

Towing Capacity

If you want the most tow capacity in any type of pickup truck, choose a 2-wheel drive truck. This is because a 2-wheel drive truck has a lower curb weight, but the same gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This means that your payload capacity has increased because of this. A 4-wheel drive truck might give you 5500 lb payload capacity in a single rear wheel configuration, but you can go up to 7500 lb or more in a dual rear wheel configuration.

Generally speaking, the best trucks for towing are 2-wheel drive dually pickups. This is because they have more room for payload capacity and can handle heavier pin weights, which increases the total weight of a trailer that they can tow. For some people, a 2-wheel drive truck may be the best choice depending on what they are doing.

Fuel Economy

Another benefit of a 2 wheel drive vehicle is that it can get better fuel economy in some cases. You can see an improvement of up to 30% when you compare fuel economy between a 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive vehicle.

When you have a two-wheel drive configuration, it is much easier to move the truck due to rolling resistance. This is because there is less weight on each axle and there are fewer driveshafts and differentials that need to be driven. As a result, this can lead to better fuel economy as well.

Maintenance Costs

A 2-wheel drive vehicle has fewer parts that can break. This means there is less chance that something will go wrong with your car and you will have to spend money fixing it. Additionally, 4-wheel drive vehicles require additional electronics and controls, which can be expensive to maintain.

Benefits Of A 4 Wheel Drive Truck

The obvious benefit is that you can go off-road. This is the type of truck that is designed for people who want to take their vehicle camping, hiking or regularly have to go on unpaved roads. A 4x4 truck will have no problem getting through rough terrain that would stop a 2 wheel drive truck.

Traction - In poor weather conditions, a 4x4 truck will have much better traction than a 2 wheel drive. This is because the weight is evenly distributed over all four tires.

Climbing - If you need to go up a hill or incline, a 4x4 truck will be able to do it with ease.

Where going off road is not the primary purpose of the truck, it is used more in emergency situations such as bad weather or other natural disasters. When roads are closed or impassable, a 4x4 truck can provide the only means of getting around.

Resell Value

Generally speaking you're going to save by opting for a two-wheel drive version over 4 wheel drive version. However this will depend totally on the specific configuration you choose.

A four-wheel drive truck is a more desirable vehicle when it comes time to sell it or trade. It might have cost you a little bit more, but it is worth it in the end.

Did You Fall In Love With That Truck?

We know the feeling.

It could be as simple as finding a truck that you like and handing over your hard-earned cash but, as anyone who's ever bought a used car will tell you, it's never quite that simple. Obviously it needs to fit your budget but more importantly it has to meet your needs

What are you going to be using your truck for?

• Towing and Hauling

• Off-Road Use

• Business Use

• A Daily Driver

The mileage of the truck is going to be a big factor when deciding on which truck to purchase. You may not know the full history of the truck but if you can ask the dealership or prior owner what they used it for. It they used it for anything other than a daily driver then mileage may not be as big of a factor.

If you don't have direct knowledge of how the truck was used, then you will have to put more emphasis on a mechanical inspection. Cars that have been used to tow or haul will show signs of a well-worn tow hitch, a severely bent rear license plate or a cable for wiring trailer

Do You Like To Go Off-Roading?

The previous own may have too! There will be tell tell signs of an off-roading enthusiast. Muddy or sand filled floorboards, a missing or bent front license plate, and large tires are all good indicators that this truck was taken off the beaten path.

You should also check for any damage to the undercarriage. Any dents, scratches, or cracks in the frame can mean that the truck wasn't properly taken care of or worse, it was in an accident.

Will You Use It For Business Use?

If you plan on using your truck for business purposes, then you'll want to make sure that the truck has been properly maintained. A well-maintained truck will have all of its service records. This way you can see if it has had regular oil changes, tune-ups and other required maintence.

Is It A Daily Driver?

If you're looking for a truck to be your daily driver, then you'll want to find one that is comfortable and has all the features that you're looking for like heated seats, Bluetooth, an infotainment system, etc. You should also take into account how often you'll be driving in stop-and-go traffic. This type of driving will make your fuel economy suffer, so you'll want to find a truck with good fuel economy.

A truck with a manual transmission may not be the best choice if you're going to be sitting in traffic everyday.

The bottom line is that you need to decide what you're going to use your truck for before you start shopping. This way you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect truck for you.

Buying Used Pickup Trucks: What Should You Look For?

Buying a used pickup truck is a lot harder than buying a used car. Used pickup trucks have often lived a harder workhorse-style life, which means there’s more to consider when you’re buying a truck than when you’re buying a normal family sedan or minivan. So just what should you look for? We have some answers that can help you when you’re checking out a used truck.

Towing and Hauling

One thing you’ll have to consider when buying a used truck is just how much towing and hauling the previous owner has done. Obviously, this isn’t something you’ll need to think about if you’re buying a hatchback or a convertible, but trucks are different. If a truck has spent 50,000 miles hooked up to a trailer, it may have caused more than normal wear on the truck’s mechanical components.

Of course, one way to find out just how much towing and hauling a truck has done is to simply ask the owner. But since you can’t always count on the truth from someone selling a used car — and since you can’t always count on a dealer to know the whole story — we recommend taking the truck for a mechanical inspection before you buy it. We especially recommend this if you see evidence of a lot of towing, such as a well-worn tow hitch, a severely bent rear license plate or a cable for wiring a trailer’s brake lights.

Off-Road Use

Another thing you’ll need to consider when buying a truck is exactly how it’s been used. Many used pickup trucks lead pampered in-town lives, but some are used in fields, on farms or on ranches — exactly as they were intended to be. The problem with this sort of use, however, is that it can cause a lot of wear to a truck’s suspension, chassis and other components. To check for off-road use, get under the truck and take a look around. If you see a lot of scratches, scrapes and bent parts on the truck’s underside, it may have had a rough life off-road. While this isn’t necessarily a reason to avoid a truck, it’s certainly a red flag that may warrant a mechanical inspection by a professional.

Commercial Use?

Many trucks are bought by businesses and used as workhorses in a wide variety of applications, including shuttling around the foreman and hauling serious debris and heavy goods. Because so many trucks are used by businesses, we wouldn’t tell you to avoid a truck that’s had commercial use, but we do suggest paying a mechanic to check it over before you buy it. Businesses aren’t always as careful with maintenance as private owners, and you’ll want to be sure that no important services were skipped. Buying a used pickup truck is hard, since used trucks have often had a rough life. But if you follow our suggestions and thoroughly check out any truck before you buy it, you’ll probably end up with a used pickup that serves you well for years to come.