A fact that can often be lost on many automotive consumers today is how prevalent different types of pickup trucks are. No matter where you look, there are plenty of them that are able to provide the right performance and abilities for any situation. Because of this, a common question that we get here at Kelley Lakeland is “What is the difference between light and heavy-duty pickup trucks?” We want to show you today, as well as some examples of each type!

Features of Light-Duty Pickups

The first type of truck we’ll be looking at is the light-duty variety, also known as “mid-size pickups” depending on who you’re talking to. These models are often built on more compact platforms than their larger counterparts, leaving them to operate more like crossovers and SUVs than how you would generally assume a truck to perform.

That’s not to say that you won’t be in line for great times and maximum return on investment, however – many light-duty trucks are outfitted with all-terrain drive systems and stellar V6 power under the hood, which allows them to tow greater than 5,000 pounds in most instances. Some of the top light-duty trucks on the market might include the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Chevrolet Colorado.

Features of Heavy-Duty Pickups

Heavy-duty pickups are what you’ll usually see hauling larger amounts to and from the worksite. Their chassis is usually built to be bigger and stronger, with longer beds and more room inside the cab. This, combined with standard V8 engines, allows heavy-duty pickups to treat a tow rating of 10,000 pounds as a baseline. This kind of classification is where top models like the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and RAM line all fit in.

Test drive a used pickup in Lakeland FL

Our Kelley Lakeland team is always happy to help you find out which truck type is right for your needs, and we invite you to contact us today. We can show you our inventory, get you approved for financing and help you schedule a test drive!

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Maximum tow rating of Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and RAM 1500 trucks

Hard-working, blue-collar Floridians need a truck that is willing to put in the extra work day after day to keep them satisfied on the job. It’s for this reason that we see so many American-made pickups driving around here in Lakeland, as they certainly have much to offer no matter what you’re looking to accomplish on board. If you’re searching for a top-tier American truck and want to see which one has the right power for your needs, come with Kelley Lakeland today as we look at the maximum tow rating of the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and RAM 1500 trucks for their current model years!

2018 Ford F-150 engine specifications, towing and payload capacities

There are six engines available on each of the Ford F-150 truck’s various trims, but we’ll be focusing in on its 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 today, as it represents the most powerful in the line. You’ll be in line for 375 horsepower, best-in-class 470 pound-feet of torque, and a maximum tow rating of 13,200 pounds when properly equipped. This also equates to a payload capacity of 3,270 pounds!

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine specifications, towing and payload capacities

The largest engine of the 2018 Chevy Silverado comes in the form of its 6.2-liter V8, which can produce as much as 420 horsepower (which is best in its class) and 460 pound-feet of torque. With this motor under the hood, you can handle a maximum haul of 12,500 pounds and 2,250 pounds of payload – that places the Silverado comfortably in the “full-ton” pickup designation!

2019 RAM 1500 engine specifications, towing and payload capacities

Not to be outdone by its market counterparts, the all-new 2019 RAM 1500 has introduced some great capability of its own. Its 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine with eTorque is a mild hybrid that can crank out as high as 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque output. With all the right equipment on board, you can handle a tow rating as high as 12,750 pounds, touting itself as best in class. This also allows you to bring up to 2,100 pounds of payload along for the ride.

Test drive a used pickup truck at Kelley Lakeland in Lakeland FL

We have a wide-ranging selection of new and used pickups here on our lot, and we invite you to contact Kelley Lakeland today if you’d like to check one out and schedule a test drive. We’re always happy to get you signed off and rolling off in confidence!

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If you’re on the market for a quality used SUV or heavy-duty pickup truck, you’ve no doubt been faced with the choice between two of the most popular drivetrains out there – All-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive. There’s a lot to cover with these two systems, so if you’ve ever wondered “What is the difference between All-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive?” Our Kelley Lakeland team will take you through them today, as well as which model types they are most common on, and how they operate!

All-Wheel Drive features and operation

The first type of powertrain we’ll be looking at today is All-Wheel Drive, which is most common on today’s SUVs and crossovers. These models feature three differentials (gear trains that distribute power and torque to your axles as needed), located in the rear, center and front parts of your vehicle. As you drive, your SUV can detect which wheels need the most torque to promote traction and grip over the road, and for this reason, All-Wheel Drive is always operational.

Four-Wheel Drive features and operation

On the other side of the spectrum lies Four-Wheel Drive, the trusted and proven powertrain on most light and heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market. As opposed to All-Wheel Drive, which features three differentials, Four-Wheel Drive only offers two, at the front and rear wheels. In the center lies a transfer case, which can redirect power if you toggle your truck’s powertrain settings to initiate Four-Wheel Drive capability.

In any case, the main difference between AWD and 4WD lie in how they function, considering that they both carry largely the same benefits for your model. This means that whether you’re looking at a used SUV or truck, you can expect the same high level of performance on any terrain!

Test drive a used pickup truck or SUV in Lakeland FL

Here at Kelley Lakeland, we carry many top-tier used SUVs (such as the Jeep Wrangler, GMC Terrain, and Chevrolet Tahoe) and pickups (like the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Ram 1500) – we encourage you to contact our sales team if you’d like to schedule a test drive today!

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2018 GMC Sierra 1500 engine options and performance features

In the GM model family, there are plenty of different body types and manufacturers that have formed solid reputations with all sorts of drivers across the nation. If you’re looking for a high-performing, durable and innovative pickup truck with ample luxury to boot, there aren’t many better options than the GMC Sierra 1500 line. Today, we’ll be checking out its different engine options and performance features, and you can find all of them here in Lakeland FL!

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 available engines and tow ratings

For the most recent model year, the 2018 Sierra 1500 comes with three available engines, each of them able to deliver the kind of adrenaline and unrelenting attitude we’ve come to expect from the line. We’ve listed some of their essential specs in the chart below – check it out!

*Also available with eAssist technologyThe 2018 Sierra 1500 can handle such large trailering and payload amounts because of all its included innovations and functionality. You’ll get Trailer Sway Control, a Trailer Brake Controller, and Tow/Haul Mode all built-in, each of which helps to keep your haul centered as you drive along straightaways or take corners. By supplying the right amount of power to keep every component of your pickup balanced, the Sierra 1500 has more than shown its worth to handle both the open road and the job site.

2018 GMC Sierra 1500 technology and drivetrain features

All these available power sources are some of the most advanced on the market, which is especially evident when you consider the amount of innovation that goes into each one. With Active Fuel Management, Variable Valve Timing and Direct Injection technology, your drive will be responsive, efficient, and most of all, seriously powerful.Higher Sierra 1500 trims also offer an 8-speed automatic transmission, which ensures that you’ll have the smoothest and most responsive drive that the market has to offer. Plus, with 4×4 capability on all Sierra lines, you can tackle any terrain with ease.

Every model year of the GMC Sierra 1500, from 2014 to 2018, is well-represented here at Kelley Lakeland. Be sure to contact our sales team today if you’d like to schedule a test drive. We can also get you set up for a financing deal too, so give us a call for more information!

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Buying your first car is very exciting (who doesn’t remember their first truck, car, or SUV?), but it can also be confusing. We want you to feel confident and prepared when you walk into the dealership, so we’ve put together a short guide explaining what you need to know as a first time buyer.

Here are our top tips for first time car buyers:

1. Build up some credit. If you’re thinking about getting your first truck, now is the time to get a low-limit credit card. Use that card to make necessary, smaller purchases, like gas, and then pay it off every month. That way, you can start to establish a good credit rating with that line of credit, which will help you get you approved for a larger loan.
2. Think about potential co-signers. If it’s your first time financing a vehicle, you may need someone to co-sign (agree to co-accept responsibility for the loan) for your first car loan. A spouse with established credit can be a great option, as can a parent, or anyone else who has good vehicle credit or a mortgage. It’s important to have these conversations early on the process, though, so the truck you want doesn’t get sold while you’re trying to find a co-signer!
3. Have a little time on the job. Does having a short time on the job mean you can’t get a loan? No! Banks take many factors into account when deciding to approve someone. However, having been at the same job for two or more years will help a bank see you as a strong candidate.
4. Save up for a down payment. If you’re purchasing a first truck, you’ll need a down payment. Saving at least 20% for a truck not only helps you get lower monthly payments than financing the entire purchase, but it can help show the banks that you’re responsible enough to manage a larger loan. That 20% helps cover the title, tag.

dealer and other fees that the bank doesn’t want to finance.

You can also watch our tips for buying your first vehicle!

5. Know what vehicles to look for. As a first time buyer, you may think a bank will be more likely to finance you on an older truck with high mileage. The opposite is actually true! Ideally, you want a truck that’s 8 years old or newer, with less than 80,000 miles on it. If the vehicle is too old, the bank will be concerned you may not be able to handle both repairs and your loan payment. You’ll actually have a better time getting financed on a newer truck!
6. Prioritize your wants. With your first truck, you may not be able to get all the upgrades you want straight out of the gate (banks will be hesitant to finance them). However, if you buy a truck at Kelley Lakeland, you can bring your truck in to our Kelley’s Customs shop, and buy your upgrades as you go! Also, once you’re ready for your second truck, we know the value of those upgrades and can take that into account when appraising your trade.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to complete every one of these steps in order to buy a truck. We just want to put you in the most optimal situation to both get approved for a loan, and walk away satisfied with your purchase. If you have questions, feel free to call our Finance Director Valden at (863) 225-9650. He’ll be happy to answer your questions! And now that you better understand the process of buying a car, don’t forget the most important tip of all: enjoy the ride! You’ll never have another first truck!

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We all know there’s nothing quite as luxurious as custom, premium Katzkin seats, but do you know some of the more practical reasons to upgrade to leather?

1. Leather is durable. High-quality leather will easily wipe clean of most spills that you’d have to scrub out of cloth, and it’s certainly much easier to keep dust and other allergens to a minimum with a leather interior. Cloth seats will also absorb (and emit) more odors over time.
2. Increased resale value. A vehicle with a leather interior has a greater resale value than one without, so you get to enjoy the luxury now and recoup some of the costs later. Given that Kelley Lakeland already offers a great deal on high-quality custom leather seats, you can recoup an even higher percentage of that cost later on!
3. Comfort. On their own, leather seats are usually softer and more comfortable than your typical cloth seats, and they actually get softer and more flexible as time goes on, unlike cloth. With just a little maintenance, your leather truck seats will get even better with time!

Listen as Shawn explains your options for getting Katzkin leather in your truck!

So if you’re ready to upgrade to leather, call us at (844) 885-6132 to see how much it would cost to add our custom leather truck seats to your vehicle today! Not only will you be working with an authorized Katzkin leather dealer, but we also have over 23 years of experience in working with leather in our service center. We can make sure your leather seats look beautiful, and will be safe and long-lasting!

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As a truck specialty store, Kelley Lakeland often has those one-of-a-kind trucks that can be hard to find no matter where you live. Every single day, customers inquire about buying a used truck they’ve been searching everywhere for through our out-of-state buyers’ program.In addition to offering free delivery anywhere in the state of Florida, we also have solutions for those buying a used truck from Texas, or South Carolina, or anywhere in the continental United States. If you’re one of those out-of-state buyers, we have two options to help you bring home the truck you’ve been waiting for:

1. In-person pickup. You can fly down and drive the vehicle back yourself. We offer reimbursement for plane tickets, as well as airport pickup from the major airports in Tampa or Orlando.
2. Home delivery. You can also pick the transportation service that works best for you. We’re happy to assist with loading for ground transportation to any destination that’s more than 200 miles away. We’re also happy to arrange shipping for you through Central Dispatch, and you’ll pay them directly. With shipping rates as low as $300-$600, shipping any vehicle to your home is a great way to bring home one of the best used trucks you can buy.When you choose the home delivery option, we’ll overnight your paperwork via UPS with a return shipping envelope included. Taxes will also be paid in your home state upon receipt of your new vehicle.

No matter which option you choose, we offer a seven day buy back/exchange guarantee (buyer pays return shipping). We want you to feel confident in your purchase!

Additionally, we do accept trade-ins on all deals using your photographs and VIN numbers to appraise your trade remotely. Just try to be as clear about any damage as possible … We do have to receive the vehicle and evaluate it first-hand before we can give you the final value! Taking clear photos and videos will help make sure the estimate and final appraised value are a perfect match. In return, we try to be as clear in our pictures as we can. Since these are used vehicles, there may be small imperfections (although each vehicle does go through a thorough reconditioning process!), and we don’t want you to have any surprises when your vehicle arrives either.At the end of the day, no matter where you live, Kelley Lakeland can help you bring home the truck you’ve been waiting for! Search our inventory, and then contact us about buying a used truck today!

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We’re sponsoring the truck and Jeep show at Wild Greg’s Saloon in Lakeland on September 8th, and if you went to the last one in June, you know how big this one is going to be. The best lifted trucks and Jeeps in all of Central Florida will be there!

If you’ve got a lifted truck or lifted Jeep, come down and enter your vehicle for a chance at some BIG cash payouts. The party will get started at 8 p.m. and Best in Show will take home $300 cash! There will also be $100 payouts for the best Jeep, Chevy, Ford, Dodge, GMC, and Toyota trucks, and the party will go ’til 1 o’clock in the morning.

In you want your truck or Jeep in the show, show parking will be fenced-in and only $15 (after you pay show parking, it’s free to enter your vehicle). All vehicles are welcome, so if you can get your lifted truck or Jeep here, you can enter it! Just get there early, because show parking can fill up fast! Wild Greg’s will have multiple outside bars set up, so you can party outside while you check out the entries, or you can party inside on the dance floor. No matter where you choose to party, you will NOT want to miss this chance to check out the best lifted trucks and Jeeps in all of Central Florida on September 8th. We’ll be bringing one of the judges from our Kelley’s Customs shop and we can’t wait to see what everybody brings!

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