As gas prices soared last spring, the market for pickup trucks took a tumble. But those shelving plans to buy a new pickup are most likely not professional contractors who rely on their vehicles to make a living, notes Brian Goebel, communications manager for Chevrolet trucks.
The truck manufacturers are keenly aware of this—which is why their catalogs are stuffed with features aimed squarely at contractors.
The Contractor’s Workhorse
When buying a pickup truck, look at cargo capacity (remember building materials weigh a lot—10 sheets of 1/2-inch plywood weigh roughly 500 pounds, for example), cargo-bed length and towing capacity (Together, a trailer and a Bobcat tractor may weigh more than 11,000 pounds).
Manufacturers offer an almost limitless number of possible pickup truck configurations if you factor in body styles (standard cab, extended cab, crew cab), drive systems, engines, transmissions, cargo-bed sizes and optional interior and exterior equipment. The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup series, for example, comes in three cab sizes, three bed lengths, 10 powertrain choices, three trim levels and both 2WD (wheel drive) and 4WD configurations.
Pickup truck manufacturers understand that your purchase is driven by the multiple ways you use your vehicle. So they have focused on improving interior and exterior functionality and comfort, as well as increasing cargo and towing capabilities. Toyota’s 2008 Tundra pickup, for instance, can be set up as an on-the-road office, with a center-console storage area for hanging file folders or a laptop (in bucket-seat models). Ford’s 2008 F150 pickup offers an optional cargo-management system that lets you reconfigure the bed to organize and secure materials.
From Chevy to Nissan, the 2008 line-up packs the power and high performance needed by the pros. Here’s a look at some of the current offerings.
Chevy’s Powerful Lineup
Chevrolet Silverado
Models: 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD
Cargo capacity: 6 to 8 feet
Cab types: Standard, extended, crew
What’s new in 2008: Improved instrumentation and XM Satellite Radio
Thoroughly redesigned in 2007, the Silverado, Chevy’s flagship full-size pickup truck, made Car & Driver magazine’s “5 Best Trucks” list in both 2007 and 2008.
The Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD models can be equipped with the Duramax Diesel 6.6L V8 engine, which produces 365 hp and 660 pound-feet of torque. The Duramax Diesel has B5 biodiesel compatibility, which means it can run a mixture of 95 percent diesel fuel and 5 percent biodiesel (made from renewable organic substances such as soybean oil).
For all three models, Chevy offers a cargo-management system that has four adjustable tie-down brackets rated at 500 pounds each. Another useful contractor option is the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist system (available in extended and crew-cab models), which uses audio and visual signals to help you avoid objects behind the vehicle when traveling in reverse.
Up next? Chevy, like other truck companies, is gearing up for fuel efficiency. The 2009 Chevy Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid is due out in limited availability this fall with a full rollout in 2009. (See “What’s Next” box.)
Dodge Adds Muscle
Dodge Ram
Models: 1500, 2500, 3500 (DWR)
Cargo capacity: short (76.3-in.) and long (98.3-in.) beds
Cab types: regular, crew (called the “Quad”), Mega Cab
What’s new in 2008: Trailer sway control added to the optional stability system; new steering hardware for 4WDs; improved 4.7-liter V8 engine with higher horsepower and torque.
In the 1960s, Dodge was known for its high-horsepower “muscle cars,” the Challenger and Charger. That DNA is clearly evident in its latest batch of pickups.
For 2008, the Ram 1500 has new optional 4.7L V8 (310 hp, 330 pound-feet of torque), which can operate on gasoline or E85 ethanol fuel. Other available engines for the 1500 are a 3.7L V6 (215 hp, 235 pound-feet of torque) and a 5.7L Hemi V8 (345 hp, 375 pound-feet of torque). The Hemi V8 now features a cylinder-deactivation system, which allows the engine to transition from eight cylinders to four (in only 40 milliseconds) and improves gas mileage.
The 2500 is available with the 5.7L Hemi V8, and the 3500 with a 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel I-6 (350 hp, 650 pound-feet of torque). A Ram 3500 has a towing capacity of 16,350 pounds and a payload capacity of 12,200 pounds.
Ford Super Sizes
Ford F-Series
Models: F-150; Super Duty F-250, F-350 and F-450
Cargo capacity: F-150 (8 ft, 6.5 ft or 5.5 ft.), F-450 (8 ft.), F-250 and F-350 (6.75 –ft. and 8 ft.)
Cab types: regular, crew, extended (“SuperCab”)
What’s new in 2008: Expanded F-Series Super Duty pickup line
A good example of Ford’s approach to design and engineering is its all-new 2008 Super Duty F-450.
The F-450 Super Duty looks like Ford’s standard F-150 pickup on steroids. It features a massive horizontal grill with stacked headlamps on the sides, crew cab, an 8-ft. cargo bed and dual rear wheels.
With a 6.4L Power Stroke turbo diesel engine that produces 350 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque, the F¬450 has a maximum payload capacity of 6,120 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 16,000 pounds.
Also in the Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup line are the F-250 and F-350, which can be configured in 2WD or 4WD and have three engine options: 5.4L Triton V8 (300 hp, 365 pound-feet of torque), 6.8L Triton V10 (362 hp, 457 pound-feet of torque) and the 6.4L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel. The F-250 has 12,500 pounds of towing capacity and a 3,120-pound payload capacity. By comparison, the F-350 has 15,000 pounds of towing capacity, with a 5,720-pound payload capacity.
For 2008, both models have an upgraded interior and an optional dash-top tray for your laptop. Also new are an optional stowable tailgate step and a stowable bed extender.
GMC: Focused on Pickups
GMC’s full-size pick-up trucks are the Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500 HD, Sierra 3500 HD and the Sierra Denali.
Offered with four Vortec engine choices (4.3L V6, 4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6L V8), the Sierra 1500 has a payload capacity of up to 1,947 pounds and can tow up to 10,500 pounds. Meanwhile, the 2500 HD and 3500 HD models can be equipped with either the 6L V8 or a Duramax 6.6L V8 turbo diesel. The 3500 HD has a payload capacity of up to 5,307 pounds and can tow up to 13,000 pounds.
Positioned as GMC luxury’s pickup, the Sierra Denali is equipped with a 6.2L V8 engine; options include a power sliding rear window and DVD entertainment system.
Toyota’s Remuscled Tundra
Toyota is making inroads into the full-size pickup market.
The company has gotten the most attention for its revamped and re-muscled Tundra. For 2008, Toyota added 13 new “models” of Tundra, for a total of 44. It’s available in three cab styles—regular, “Double Cab” and “CrewMax.” The Double Cab is a four-door cab, while the “CrewMax” (also four doors) has 60/40 split rear seats, which recline and fold flat to provide a table-like hard surface to work on.
Available with cargo beds of 6.5 feet and 8.1 feet, the Tundra has three engine options: a 4L V6 (236 hp, 266 pound-feet of torque), 4.7L V8 (276 hp, 313 pound-feet of torque) and a 5.7L V8 (381 hp, 401 pound-feet of torque). A regular cab Tundra equipped with the 5.7 engine, 4WD and the 8.1-foot bed has a payload capacity of 1,925 pounds and a towing capacity of 10,500 pounds, thanks in part to its Tripletech Frame, which combines a boxed and C-shaped chassis for maximum strength and durability.
Toyota’s innovative engineering has carried over to the Tundra’s exterior and interior as well. Exterior features include a 22-inch deep cargo bed (increasing storage area), a removable tailgate and a deck rail system with cleats and tie-downs for securing loads. Interior options include an optional backup camera and navigation system.
Nissan Makes Inroads
Nissan’s Titan added brawn to its look and mechanical systems, making it a serious contender in the commercial pickup market. The 2008 edition features an Endurance 5.6L engine, rated at 317 hp and 385 pound-feet of torque. This engine can be equipped to run on varying blends of ethanol. The Titan is available in RWD and 4WD wheel configurations.
When equipped with an extended cab, 4WD and a standard 79.1-inch cargo bed, the Titan has a load capacity of 1,870 pounds and can tow 9,400 pounds. The cargo bed, which can carry 4 by 8 plywood sheets between the wheel wells, includes a lockable bedside storage compartment and a tailgate workstation with two lights and a 12-volt power outlet for power tools. In addition, the king cab has wide-opening rear doors and fold-down passenger and rear seats for additional cargo space.
What’s Next? More Miles to the Gallon
- In 2009, GMC will introduce the Sierra Hybrid, with a 40 percent increase in city fuel economy and a 25 percent increase in overall fuel economy.
- Chevy will unveil the 2009 Silverado Hybrid, pairing GMC’s 2-Mode Hybrid system with a powerful 6.0L gas V-8. The vehicle can operate in three ways: electric power, engine power, or in any combination of electric and engine power. With a 500-mile range, it offers 40 percent greater city fuel economy and a 25 percent improvement in overall fuel economy.
- Dodge will introduce a completely redesigned Dodge Ram in 2009, featuring a revamped crew cab; a new, more powerful 5.7L Hemi V8; and an improved cargo-management system. In 2010, look for the Ram with a new fuel-efficient Hemi Hybrid, designed to deliver a 30 percent increase in fuel mileage.
- The Ford F-150 pickup will have a stronger, lightweight chassis in 2009, plus three V-8 engines and either a four-speed or new six-speed transmission (the latter is designed to improve gas mileage). In 2010, Ford plans to offer the F-150 with a diesel and EcoBoost gas turbo engine.