6 Things You Should Know Before Buying a New or Used Truck

Written by Jodi Shaw.

I've partnered with the Go Dodge truck dealership in Surrey to bring you this informative article. All opinions are 100% my own.

Everywhere you look in Greater Vancouver, there is one on the road. They are shiny. They are new or used. They are functional and serve a purpose. I'm talking about trucks, and right now you want one. Buying a truck isn't like buying a car. You can't just walk in and pick out a colour, trim level and drive away. Trucks are in a class of their own. They are expensive and come with different purposes. So before you go running to the dealership, there are a few things you need to consider. Here are 6 things you should know before buying a new or used truck from a Surrey dealership.

Budget and Gas Mileage

Most trucks have a starting price of $25,000 and go up from there. Trucks are more expensive than cars when it comes to gas as well. Many people think trucks are gas guzzlers, but that is not necessarily true today. A V6 can do what V8 used to, and of course, diesel is an option for light duty trucks like the Dodge Ram 1500. While most trucks get less than 20 mpg for both highway and city. Today some get up to 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the freeway.

Tip: Many car dealerships around Vancouver offer discounts, incentives, and preferred pricing when buying a truck. Be sure to look out for these and ask before you purchase anything.

Truck Usage

The first question to ask yourself before buying a truck is: what will your truck be used for? Knowing what purpose your truck will serve will help when choosing features and functions for your truck, such as size, tow capacity, and passengers. If you plan on towing something like a large boat, then you will need a heavy-duty truck. Or maybe you just want a small commuter for around town, such as a light-duty truck. It's important to know what you want to haul or carry and how you are going to use your truck so you can make sure you get the right make, model and size.

Bed and Cab Size

Most trucks offer three sizes. Regular cab which is great as a work truck with single row seating and limited space. Crew Cab which has four full-size doors, great for families with generous rear seating and perfect for traveling. And finally King Cab, the biggest of all. The size of your truck bed will depend on the size of your cab and what you are planning on moving. A standard truck length with a crew cab is 5.5 to 6.5 ft in length and goes up to 8 ft, which is great for cargo but hard to park in most places.

Truck Towing Capacity

Most people will buy a truck so they can tow things, such as campers, tent trailers, other cars, or equipment. But not all trucks are built the same. For example, The Dodge Ram 1500 can tow over 10,000 lbs while a Toyota Tacoma can only pull 3,500lbs. It's important to know your towing capacity before buying a truck. If you want to pull a jet ski then a four-wheel drive with traction control is something you might need. Whereas if you wish to pull a mobile home, a dually (two rear tires aside) is what you want for stability. Buying a truck, you have to think about things like traction, engine power, and weight when it comes to towing.

Two Wheel vs. Four Wheel Drive Trucks

Although most trucks are used on farms, ranches and for construction which requires off-roading capabilities. Many Canadians like to off-road just for fun. Be aware though, a 4×4 will cost you more than a two-wheel drive when buying a truck. Weather also plays a huge factor when choosing between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. A 4×4 will also affect your gas mileage. Where you live and how you drive will impact your decision when buying a truck that is best for you.

Buying a New vs Used Truck

Buying a truck is an investment and trucks are known for their longevity. So you want to make sure you are investing in the right truck to last you a lifetime. Before you buy a truck, look things over and consider some of these options. A new truck comes with things like warranties and dealership inspections, along with features such as park-assist, heated steering wheel, and fog lights. Whereas a used truck you need to be aware of things such as corrosion and rust on truck beds and hitches, bent metal and broken down chassis.

Find New trucks for sale in surrey

Tip: Ask the truck dealership for the maintenance and repair history to make sure the used truck has been maintained, which will give you a better understanding of the overall quality of the truck, how many previous owners it had, along with how many miles are left on it. Also, remember to test drive a vehicle around Surrey or Vancouver before you decide.

In Conclusion

Before buying a truck you need to understand that being a truck owner means you belong to an elite class of individuals. Whether new or used, trucks are fun to drive. They are multi-purpose vehicles that don't just get you where you need to go, but they can help you move stuff, along with being able to tackle all different kinds of weather conditions most cars can't deal with. And yes, buying a truck can be expensive, but owning one is a fantastic thing! Just ask the millions of truck owners worldwide how they feel about their trucks.

Used trucks for sale in Surrey

Happy Driving!

JODI SHAW

Named one of Vancouver's top 30 most fabulous bloggers. In the past six years Jodi has appeared on CTV, CBC Radio, Abbotsford News and Times and various online publications. A top brand ambassador and marketing influencer, she loves sharing relevant stories and products that help make family life easier.

View all Ram 1500 trucks at Go Dodge Surrey

To book a Test Drive in a new Ram 1500 in Surrey, Vancouver or Richmond, call us at 604-590-8401 or visit the Go Dodge Surrey new car showroom at 6280 120th Street, Surrey, British Columbia, V3X 1Y7.

At Go Dodge Surrey, we have one of the largest selections of Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles in Greater Vancouver. Over 3,000 New and Used vehicles listed! We're also part of the Go Auto Group of 40 dealerships with 24/7 Customer Service and Price Guarantees. It means you can shop with confidence. We are here to help you - Contact us Go Dodge Surrey to get started on your car buying experience.