A pickup truck is a car classification with a closed cabin at the front and an open cargo portion at the rear. It is also known as “utes” in New Zealand and Australia.
Overview (1)
In past years, the only chassis were sold by the automakers, and top bodies were added by third parties. 1902, the very first truck was built by Rapid Motor Vehicle Company. The hauling capacity of that truck was one ton. In 1913, the first pickup developer “Gallion All steel Body Company” built hauling cabins on Ford T chassis. In 1931, light-duty pickups were introduced by GM for both Chevrolet and GMC, and then introduced AK series (separate truck and passenger car platform). People started using pickup trucks for utility purposes only. But later on, they started purchasing it as a passenger transport vehicle. With time, automakers continued adding advanced features such as air conditioning and power options. During this period crew cab (four-door pickup) became popular.
Currently, all pickups come with automatic transmissions. Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Gladiator, and Nissan Frontier still come with manual transmission. A typical pickup truck has a set of doors with the only row of seats. The super or extended cab includes space for small seats behind the front seat. In 1973, Chrysler introduced the first super cab that is known as “club cab”. In-Cab forward or Cab-over designs cargo area enhances in same total length. In Europe and Japan, a drop-sided, cab-forward pickup truck is more popular than in North America.
The bed size of a pickup truck varies according to the need. Some people use it for utility purposes and some need it for transporting passengers. Most pickups are configured with fixed sides and moveable tailgates. Two styles of the cargo bed are available; fleet-side or step-side. Cargo beds in early pickups were made of wood and then were switched to steel material.
“Dually” is a pickup truck with four wheels at the rear and can be seen on roads of North America. Its rear axle can carry more weight.
Benefits of having a pickup truck
- Towing and hauling capacity
These two factors are the main reason to buy a pickup truck. In comparison to a sedan, the body style of a pickup truck is not much appealing but its working capabilities have made it a priority for many families. For adventurous people, a pickup truck suits them best. They can just throw luggage and go camping. It can withstand the worst off-road conditions as well. The handling of a truck depends upon:
- Truck capacity
- The trailer weight
- The trailer type
- Versatility
Along with towing capacities, pickup trucks provide a degree of versatility that one cannot have with other vehicles. Besides working, one can also enjoy some outdoor activities by having a pickup truck. It also offers a space to take some rest. The cargo area gives generous space for individuals to lie down and have a nap.
- Safety
Many people purchase it for safety reasons. It best suits those who live in an area with all four climates. It features Four-wheel drive, which gives stability to wheels on snowy roads, rocks, muds, and rutted muddy trails. It is heavier and bigger than other vehicle types. According to physics, the larger and heavier object always wins during a collision. This means one can remain safe and uninjured in case of a car accident.
- Seating and storage
A car struggles for the blend of space and luxurious amenities. But in most ways, it fails to complete the required job. A pickup truck provides a sedan-like ride with generous space.
Top luxurious pickup trucks
- Honda Ridgeline Black Edition
It is a mid-size pickup truck with multiple features that are not available in most top counterparts of its rivals. It features active-safety options, tri-zone climate control, noise cancellation, road departure indicator, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency brake. Four modes of driving in the Intelligent Traction Dynamics system of this truck include normal, sand, mud, and snow, which manage rough terrain. One can feel a silky ride even on a rough road due to its independent suspension, all-wheel drive, and unibody construction. The black edition offers additional features including Blind-spot monitoring, configurable driver’s seat, premium audio, phone charging point, and navigation. Its towing capacity is 5000 pounds.
Price: its price is $43920.
- Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
This mid-size pickup truck is preferred for its off-roading abilities. The Rubicon is its luxurious trim. It comes with a leather-wrapped dashboard. Its infotainment system provides complete accessory gauges and powertrain information. The cleaning of the muddy front and rear camera is just a button press away. Its interior is boasted by LEDs, door handles made of satin chrome, and leather seats. The passenger cabin features a 115V power outlet, 4 USB ports, and 2 air vents. It comes with a 3.6L V-6 engine that produces 260 lb-ft of torque and 285 horsepower.
Price: its price is $44565.
- Ford F-150 limited
It is a full-size pickup truck with the best power, payload, and towing capacity in its line-up. It features taillights, massive headlights, and high-polished aluminum 22-inch wheels. It comes with a 3.5L V-6 engine with a towing capacity of 127000 pounds. It features an array of active safety options including adaptive cruise control that prevents overcorrection. Interior seats are wrapped with diamond-quilted leather. The passenger cabin is roomy having a 120V converter, two USB ports, and two air vents.
Price: its price is $73105.
- Toyota Tundra Platinum
This pickup truck has high resale value and strong reliability. It comes with a 5.7L V-8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with 6-speed automatic transmission. It features adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure alarm, and automated emergency brake. The dashboards and interior of doors are wrapped with quilted leathers.
Price: its price is $49245.
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