The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Truck

There are many good reasons to consider used trucks for sale instead of looking for a new truck. Used trucks depreciate more slowly, give you more features for your money, and often cost less to register and insure. In some cases, a used truck is still fully or partially covered by the original warranty or a separate warranty if you’re going the Certified Pre-Owned route. You certainly wouldn’t be alone among central Louisiana drivers who want a used truck. But with so many options to consider, the question remains: where to start?

Determine the Size You Need

The first thing to consider is how big the cab and bed will be. This determines how much space you have for passengers and cargo. While variations exist between automakers, truck cabs and beds fall into a few categories. Let’s start by looking at the main types of truck cabs:

Regular/Standard Cab: This is the classic two-door cab with two bucket seats or a single bench seat. There is little, if any, space behind the seating row.

Extended Cab: These have a second row of seats with small rear doors that swing toward the bed. Space is still tight, though. You open the front doors before the rear doors, then move the front seats forward to access to the second row.

Double Cab: This cab is large enough to have four full-size doors opening in the same direction. The rear seats have enough legroom for kids and shorter adults, though tall adults will be cramped.

Crew Cab: The largest cab size available, the Crew Cab is big enough for four to six tall adults to sit comfortably. Some crew cabs now even have in-cab storage behind the rear seats.

As for truck beds, the most common bed sizes are:

Short Bed: Around 5.5 ft long

Standard Bed: Around 6.5-7 ft long (Note: some manufacturers will split this category into “standard short” and “standard long”)

Long Bed: Around 8 ft long

Certain truck cab and bed sizes tend to be paired together. For example, with the Chevy Silverado 1500, you can only get the long bed with a regular cab. The standard and short bed can be found with the double or crew cab. Also, smaller cabs are most often found on compact trucks and full-size trucks’ entry-level (work truck) trim.

Determine What You Want Under the Hood

Most truck makers now offer the choice between a gas or diesel engine. Which direction you should go depends on your priorities. A gas-powered truck engine costs less upfront, is easier to maintain, and does better at hauling on-board cargo. Regular gasoline also costs less per gallon than diesel, with the exact amount depending on the area. Diesel engines have more torque for towing, get better fuel mileage, and can handle consistent heavy-duty workloads better than an equivalent gas engine. There’s no right or wrong answer. It all depends on what you’re using the truck for.

Once you’ve decided on a fuel source, you’ll need to decide how big an engine you need. Using the Chevy Silverado 1500 again, the 2021 edition could be purchased with four gas powerplants ranging from a 285-hp 4.3L V6 to a 420-hp 6.2L V8, as well as a diesel option. Bigger engines have more power and torque but get worse fuel economy. Again, the choice depends on your needs. A truck primarily driven downtown won’t need as big an engine as one lugging equipment down Route 28 or hitting the nearest off-road trail.

Do You Need Towing Capabilities?

One of the biggest reasons to get a truck is so you can tow recreational equipment. You may need to bring construction supplies home for a DIY project, get a boat to Williams Lake, or take your RV out for a week-long getaway. Which trucks are going to get everything there without straining?

Not surprisingly, heavy-duty trucks, also called HD or Super Duty trucks, are the brawniest. Your heavy duty truck will come equipped with a powerful engine, can have great features, but is ultimately designed for tough jobs.

Check out the following models if you are looking for maximum towing capabilities^[a]:

• Chevy Silverado 2500 HD – Tow up to 22,430 lbs
• Chevy Silverado 3500 HD – Tow up to 36,000 lbs
• GMC Sierra 2500 HD – Tow up to 22,500 lbs
• GMC Sierra 3500 HD – Tow up to 36,000 lbs
• Ram 2500 – Tow up to 19,990 lbs
• Ram 3500 – Tow up to 37,090 lbs
• Ford F-250 – Tow up to 23,000 lbs
• Ford F-350 – Tow up to 32,900 lbs

Most drivers will lean towards a full-size truck over heavy duty trucks. These trucks can handle tough tasks, can be equipped with various engine options including hybrids, are more fuel efficient, and make for great family vehicles.

Here are the full-size trucks you will want to check out and their respective max towing capacity^[a]:

• Chevy Silverado 1500 – Tow up to 13,300 lbs
• GMC Sierra 1500 – Tow up to 13,300 lbs
• Ram 1500 – Tow up to 12,750 lbs
• Ford F-150 – Tow up to 13,500 lbs
• Nissan Titan – Tow up to 9,290 lbs
• Toyota Tundra – Tow up to 12,000 lbs

Consider How Efficient You Need Your Truck to Be

While fuel efficiency is rarely the main factor when buying a truck, it can help sway the decision when all else is equal. As of the 2024 model year, the Chevy Silverado 1500 can be equipped with the most fuel-efficient engine on the market. With its diesel engine, drivers of the Silverado 1500 can expect an EPA-estimated 26 MPG. Most full-size gas trucks will yield around 17-22 MPG, so you can expect to find similar ratings regardless of which model you choose. Heavy-duty trucks are not rated for fuel efficiency.

More and more trucks are coming with a hybrid engine or fully-electric option, and these trucks are starting to hit the used market. The Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, and Ram 1500 are just a few trucks now available in hybrid and/or EV form. Hybrid trucks are more efficient and often more powerful than gas-only trucks but cost more. EVs are the most efficient but also the most expensive, and you’ll need to add a charging setup at your home. However, the tax savings and time savings from not stopping at the gas station will add up rather quickly. You might end up saving more in the long run with an all-electric truck.

What Features & Equipment Matter Most

When it comes down to it, the features and equipment needed will vary depending on the driver. You can find all kinds of great features on used trucks, from hi-tech safety equipment to impressive trailering cameras. We suggest seeking out trucks with features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, parking sensors, and multiple camera angles. As far as comfort and convenience features go, you’ll find lots of great options, like heated/cooled seats, head-up displays, remote start, and multi-zone climate systems. You can also add aftermarket/OEM equipment if the truck you are interested in doesn’t have the features you want but checks all of your other needs.

Find a Used Truck at Southern Chevrolet

When you’re ready to make a smart investment in a used truck, visit us in Alexandria, Louisiana. We combine our knowledge of trucks with old-fashioned Southern hospitality to deliver a unique, stress-free customer experience. You can take advantage of our great selection of used trucks to find the one that meets your needs.

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^[a] Towing capacities listed are for the 2024 model year. The actual capacity of the truck will depend on the model year, trim, and equipment installed.

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