What is the difference between light and heavy-duty pickup trucks?

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!