With trucks coming from so many different sizes and automotive tastes, how does one go about choosing the right type for their lifestyle? Factors including a budget intended usage, and possibly place all come into play when making the choice. For the weekend warrior that requires A to B transport Monday through Friday, but wishes to play within the backcountry on days off, the off-road and urban-friendly Honda Ridgeline creates a great option. Once more ruggedness is required, something along the lines of the Ford F-150 may be better suited. See our suggestions for the top trucks could be tailor-made for you under.
Honda Ridgeline: City Dweller
This automobile by Honda is a part SUV, part truck. With a unibody frame, the Ridgeline has the advantages of providing a passenger-car-like ride and handling. Its relatively compact size also means city slickers should find fitting into tight underground parking lot distances a simple task. But don't let those practical features fool you -- there's a dual-action tailgate for simple loading and unloading of gear, a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds, along with an integrated tow hitch.
The first creation's (2006 to 2014) 3.5-liter V6 VTEC motor producing 250 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, coupled with four-wheel drive, equates to prompt fun. Many can be had for a reasonable price tag of less or $30,000.
There was lots of hoopla surrounding Ford's latest iteration of one of the best selling light-duty pickups in America: the F-150. Rebuilt from the ground up, post-2015 versions are more strong and fuel-efficient than ever before, constructed using large quantities aluminum resulting in a weight loss of nearly 700 pounds compared to before.
They also boast a whole new lineup of turbocharged EcoBoost mills, topped with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 providing a V8-worthy 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Capable of towing up to 12,200 lbs and possessing a maximum payload of 3,300 lbs, not to mention that the five available grades and an almost endless amount of taxi, ease and powertrain configurations, the F-150 has no problems doing the occasional heavy lifting.
When things get serious, it is time to flip to a truck of a heartier character. You are able to tell the RAM 2500 is built for the worksite, beginning with the suspension system, which comes in 2 varieties to encourage the car's capacity to tow up to an impressive 17,980 lbs. Clients can choose between a robust multi-link coil set up or air suspension which can detect load amounts from a trailer, mechanically increasing air pressure to maintain a level height thereby improving stability and ride quality.
For such performance, an engine of equivalent significance needs to lie underneath the hood. There is a trio of offerings, hottest perhaps being a 6.7-liter inline six-cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel. Mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automated gearbox, this monster of a motor may churn out up to 800 lb-ft of torque depending on the trimming. With measurements in the neighborhood of 98 inches (length), 78 inches (width) and 73 inches (height), however, these pickups are best suited for big streets and highways that are open.
