Maybe you are thinking about upgrading your current truck because it no longer suits your needs, or maybe you are thinking about buying your first ever truck. Whatever your reasons for being interested in a new vehicle, you can be sure that when you buy a large truck or van you will love the freedom and versatility it gives you. You will have to go and see loads, give them all a test drive and do your research so that you know the market. Only when you are sure should you go ahead and commit to buying it. There are a few things that you really need to think about first and we’ll list a few of them here:
Consider Economy
There is no doubt that whichever truck you end up with will have a large, thirsty engine, however some consume more fuel than others. Some perform more economically on long drives, while others do better on short runs, so which are you going to do more of? The cost of fuel is going up and up, so it is in every driver’s interest to make sure that they spend as little on fuel as possible. Whenever you are short-listing potential vehicles, make sure you look up their MPG (miles per gallon) to make sure that you are not going to be spending every last penny on fuel costs.
What About the Size of the Cab?
If you are going to be travelling long distances, then you need a large and comfortable cab in it, particularly if you will be carrying other people too. However, if the majority of your journeys will be short-distance and you’ll be travelling alone, then a small cab will suffice. Cabs come in all different shapes and sizes – some have back seats and some don’t, some are left hand drive and some are right… so make sure you choose a cab that you will be comfortable in and that suits your needs.
How Much Cargo Will You Be Carrying?
People use trucks for all sorts of different reasons, so every need is different. You’ll have to consider how much cargo you’ll generally be carrying, as well as whether it needs to be protected or if it can be transported in an open-backed vehicle. Don’t get one that is too small for your needs otherwise you’ll end up having to change it, but equally don’t buy one that is too big for your needs – you will end up paying too much in fuel and you’ll also struggle to navigate it down smaller roads.
Always Have A Test Drive
If you see a truck and you like it, it can be tempting to just go for it without test driving it first – particularly if you see one at an auction. This is a bad idea – you only get a proper feel for a truck once you have had a drive in it, so never be tempted to take a short cut.
These tips should help to focus your mind so that you end up with the perfect truck for you!
