Choosing a pickup truck for your business is a big decision. A good truck will last you years, so you want to make the right choice.

There are numerous factors to consider, including the size, number of doors, engine size, price, fuel economy, performance, and more. Here are some of the main considerations to help you make the right decision when you choose your next one.

Types of Pickups

Firstly, you should know about the different types of pickup trucks available so you can choose the most suitable for you requirements.

Compact pickups, as the name suggests, are smaller. They come in a wide range of styles, including those with four-cylinder and V6 engines.

Then there are full-sized pickup trucks. These are larger and tougher than compacts, and they also tend to come in more configurations.

The 1500-series is the basic pickup truck, and this is often used for family cars as well. However, you may require a larger model, like a heavy duty 2500 model or even a 3500 model like the RAM 3500. These are more serious vehicles that are suitable for carrying heavy loads and hauling large trailers.

Number of Doors

This is one of the basic issues to consider. The number of doors you choose will mainly depend on whether you will use it as a family car as well. If so, a four-door model is most suitable. However, two doors are usually fine if you will use it for work rather than family.

4WD

Whether you get a 4WD or not depends on how you will use it. If you are planning to use your pickup in the snow and mud, or on long off-road journeys, then it will be essential. However, rear-wheel drive is fine for heavy loads on good roads.

You can also get a full-time 4WD model, where the front-wheel-drive is used when needed to give more traction.

Safety Features

Safety features are essential in any type of vehicle. Pickup trucks did not used to have a great safety record, but that has changed. These days, you can find safety features including electronic stability control (ESC), which is mandatory on lighter pickups and helps to prevent them from rolling over.

Chest-level air bags at the side are common in the front seats, and curtain-style airbags in the sides are also common. Traction control is another good safety feature that can help on slippery surfaces.

Always look at the safety features of a pickup when you are choosing a model because safety is one of the most important things to consider.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is another important issue to consider. The better fuel economy will be for lightweight and smaller models, and heavy trucks will not be so great but you may need the power. Always compare models, however, to find out which pickup will get you further.

Price

Prices range considerably for pickup trucks, and you can pay anything from $20,000 to over $60,000. You tend to get what you pay for, so compare prices until you find a suitable model within your budget.

Choose What You Need

When buying a pickup truck for business, making sure it has a good fleet telematics system is very important, as this allows the information exchange between a commercial vehicle fleet and their central authority.

Choosing a pickup truck is a decision you don’t want to rush. So take a look at the options on the market, read reviews, go and see different pickup trucks, and take them for a drive. Consider all the features listed here, and then find the perfect vehicle for your needs.

Brooke Robson runs her own trucking business and is a tomboy who is happiest hanging out with the lads than with the ladies. She writes about auto tech, the trucking industry and shares some business tips.