Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
We sell a lot of pickup trucks here at Dye Autos. With our level of experience, we get a lot of questions from consumers about trucks and towing capacity. It’s important to know the details of the truck you’re considering to purchase and we’re here to help you figure that out.
To choose the best pickup for towing, truck shoppers should consider the factors that contribute to towing capability.
Start by asking yourself two simple questions will help you narrow your choices:
- What do you plan to tow?
- How will you use your pickup when you’re not towing?
If you’ll often use your pickup without the trailer, you’ll want to choose a vehicle that suits those needs, too. You’ll want to choose a lighter or more-efficient pickup that’s able to handle your trailer but is also a ride that you can live with every day.
Determine the size and weight of your trailer.
You’ll need to find out the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of what you’re going to tow.
You’ll find this on the trailer “VIN plate” (Vehicle Identification Number) or by contacting the trailer manufacturer. The GVWR is the dry weight of the trailer (empty weight) plus the maximum allowed payload.
- Your trailer may be as little as a 12-ft pop-up camper with a GVWR of under 3,000 lbs.
- Perhaps, it’s a behemoth conventional camping trailer that is 40-ft long and approaching 14,000 lbs GVWR.
- How about a triple-axle 43-ft long 5th-wheel toy hauler that is pushing a total weight rating of 20,000 lbs?
- It may be a large boat, a cargo trailer, or a horse trailer.
Figure out the GVWR of the trailer, as well as the loaded weight of your specific setup.
Light Duty or Heavy Duty Pickup Truck?
Some light-duty trucks offer huge towing capacities in excess of 10,000 pounds, but drivers with big trailers, such as fifth-wheel campers or gooseneck horse trailers, may be better off with a heavy-duty pickup, such as the Ford F250 Super Duty, Dodge Ram 2500, or Chevy Silverado. Again, frequency of use is a consideration.
“The Ford F150 Ecoboost with Max Tow has trailer pulling capability that works well for many of our customers. It’s actually better than a diesel because it generally costs less and has less maintenance.” – Scott Dye
If you plan to tow a personal watercraft or a light-utility trailer, you may not even need a full-size pickup. Consider a smaller truck, such as the Toyota Tacoma or the upcoming Chevy Colorado, if you’re only pulling a light trailer.
Do I need a 4×4?
A 4×4 can be very handy, especially for pulling a trailer on uneven surfaces. A slippery boat ramp, soft ground or a hill with loose gravel might spell trouble for a 2-wheel-drive pickup, but a 4×4 should be able to climb right out, trailer in tow.
Four-wheel-drive pickups typically have slightly lower towing capacities than their 2-wheel-drive counterparts due to the extra weight of the 4-wheel-drive components.
What all this means for you…
Bottom Line? The best pickup for towing is the one that’s rated to pull your trailer and will suit your needs even when you don’t have a trailer behind you.
The task of determining the towing capacity of a particular pickup may seem daunting with so many factors coming into play. We can help you determine the best pickup truck for your specific lifestyle and needs. Get in touch >>here<< or call us at (303) 286-1665.
We’re here to help!
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You’re ready to get rid of your current car and get yourself a new one. For many vehicle owners, there’s nothing easier than trading in a car to a local Denver dealer. That way, you avoid the time and effort it takes to list, find a buyer and sell your vehicle online; plus, dealers today are working to make the trade process fast, easy and transparent.
Before you visit the dealer, be sure to take these important steps:
- Use online tools to appraise your car’s value. Edmunds.com and kbb.com are two great resources to appraise your trade-in’s value.
- Be honest with yourself about your car’s trade-in condition. The more forthright you are when using online appraisal tools, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to trade it in. Very often, people come into the dealership with an overly-optimistic idea of what their car is worth, only to find that reality is less optimistic.
- Give your trade-in curb appeal.
- Clean the exterior and interior well.
- Remove small dents.
- Fix window glass defects.
- Bring all vehicle paperwork with you. You will need:
- Certificate of title (if you don’t have it, the DMV can tell you how to get it replaced). Note: if you have an outstanding loan on the vehicle, this will not apply since the bank has your certificate of title.
- Current registration.
- All your car keys and the owner’s manual.
- If you still have a loan on the car, you’ll need to have your account number or a payment stub.
- Maintenance records. These help support your claims about whatever prior damage your car has had and the repairs it has undergone.
When you arrive at the dealership
Inform your salesperson that you will be trading in a car. The salesperson will likely take down some of your information, then either the salesperson or a manager will perform a visual inspection of your vehicle, record the vehicle identification number and run the number through a vehicle history database to check its records.
The salesperson or manager may take your car for a quick drive to see how it runs.
Getting your trade-in offer
The trade-in offer you receive will depend on several factors, but mostly it will rely on the price being sought for similar vehicles at auction. Other possible factors include whether or not the dealer has similar cars on the lot already, the condition of your vehicle and whether the dealership needs to make any repairs to make your trade-in ready for other buyers.
Since you’re trading in your car in order to buy another one, negotiating the price for your trade-in will include the car you’re buying.
Paying off your trade-in’s loan & finishing up your deal
When you’re trading in a car, there may be a little more wiggle room on your trade-in value against the price of the car you’re hoping to buy.
When the amount you owe on the car is less than the trade-in value, the process is pretty straightforward. Say you still owe $5,000 on your car and a dealer offers you $6,000 for it as a trade-in. The dealer pays off the $5,000 loan for you and then you transfer ownership of the car to the dealer. You can use the difference (in this example it’s $1,000) as a down payment on the car you’re buying.
When the amount you own on the car is more than the trade-in value, the dealer still pays off your loan. This leaves a balance due to the dealer which you can either pay cash for, or sometimes, roll that amount into the new loan you’re getting on the new car. Various factors like creditworthiness, terms and payment amounts govern which options you’ll take.
Dye Autos helps people like you trade-in their cars and trucks everyday! Give us a call at (303) 286-1665 or contact us >>here<<. We’ll help you navigate the process of trading in a car and get you into the car of your dreams.
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With the value and options available today, just about everyone can enjoy the benefits of a pickup truck. Whether your an outdoors type, a suburbanite, or somewhere in between, you can enjoy the toughness, power and utility of these marvels of modern automotive engineering.
With pickup trucks claiming three spots out of ten on the list of top selling vehicles in 2017, there’s no question that trucks are hot.
Here’s a list of our top 10 reasons to buy a pickup truck.
1. Truck are no longer “penalty boxes.”
Today’s trucks ride like sedans.
Gone are the days when trucks had just a front seat and the ride was so bumpy you thought you might lose a kidney.
A super-smooth ride, roomy back seats, and four doors are standard now, as are many of the amenities on most sedans, including heated seats and keyless entry. The ride is comfortable and quiet (but ready to take on the world).
2. Trucks are the perfect weekend adventure vehicle.
Even though they’re a bit softer on the inside, pickup trucks are still designed to conquer difficult terrain. No matter what the road conditions, a modern pickup truck can push through and get you to your destination.
Whether you need to traverse an off-road trail to get to your favorite remote campsite or pound snowdrifts into submission to get to the ski resort, a good, properly equipped pickup can get you there.
3. Trucks tow your stuff.
Whether you’re taking the boat to Sloan’s Lake or Cherry Creek, the snowmobile to Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge, or your kids’ furniture to that first apartment, a pickup truck gives you the power to tow whatever you need. Many popular pickups can tow up to 12,000 pounds while the larger, heavy-duty models can pull up to 22,500 pounds or higher.
4. Trucks are affordable.
Used pickup truck models are especially affordable and often retain their value. At Dye Autos, we’ve got a large inventory of affordable pickup trucks for every budget.
Not sure what you can afford? Call us at (303) 286-1665.
5. Trucks grab attention.
In Denver, few vehicles command the same kind of attention as pickup trucks. For the type of person who demands that their vehicle “go big or go home” you can’t beat a pickup truck. Remember, being noticed is better than being ignored.
6. Trucks make you the hero of the neighborhood.
Your pickup truck can help score a few extra Good Samaritan credits by providing the grunt to give neighbors a tow when their cars get stuck in the snow. A pickup truck also makes it easier to help haul saplings — plus a jungle gym for the children — to the local park.
7. Trucks are safe.
First, you’re sitting high, so you can see better.
Today’s trucks also have the same safety features drivers look for in cars — four-wheel drive, electronic stability control system, air bags, dynamic braking, blind zone alerts, and so on. In addition, some have advanced safety features.
The high-strength steel body of some trucks is preferred by safety-conscious drivers over aluminum for a light but strong truck body.
8. Trucks are the ultimate tool box.
Trucks are now so common, it’s easy to overlook how important they are. But as they build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps society moving, their importance and usefulness as the ultimate tool just can’t be denied.
If there’s one tool that rules over all, it is the pickup truck. It’s both the ultimate tool and the ultimate toolbox; it can haul lumber, clear land and then serve as a repository for the tools needed to build a home.
9. Trucks are made for snow.
Winter tires on a sedan or a small hatchback will only get you so far. If the snow is deep enough, you can literally high-center a car once it gets packed underneath.
With the additional ground clearance afforded by a pickup, traversing 10 inches of fresh plow is no problem.
10. Trucks support ALL your activities.
Pickup trucks help you work hard and when it’s time to relax, they help you do that too!
Load your pickup truck bed with anything from lumber to furniture to camping equipment, and drive anywhere — even on the roughest terrain. You can even us your truck as a substitute family room while camping. Watch Netflix under the stars in your truck bed!
Did we give you enough reasons to buy a pickup truck?
You may even have some more reasons of your own but remember this: when it’s time to buy, you’d better call Dye!
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If you’re looking to buy a used pickup truck, you’ve undoubtedly done your research in advance about the right model and options. The key to affording your dream ride works the same way: Get your financial situation under control before you make your final purchase decision.
Here are three crucial steps to take that will help you become more informed about your credit and help you set realistic expectations before you get to the dealership.
1. Know your credit score.
If you plan on using financing to buy a used pickup truck, your credit score is key to getting the lowest interest rates. Your credit score is a three-digit number that uses your credit information to assess how risky a borrower you are, and it can significantly influence how lenders decide the terms of your loan.
The higher your credit score, the lower your risk and the lower your interest rate. The lower your credit score, the riskier you are and the higher your interest rates. Be proactive in checking your credit score beforehand so you know where your credit stands before you apply for a loan.
Credit score ranges:
2. Get a free credit report.
When you check your credit score, be sure to focus on where you fall in comparison to other consumers, and what areas of your credit are strong — and what might need some work.
FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Website: You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. Order online from annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized website for free credit reports, or call 1-877-322-8228. You will need to provide your name, address, social security number, and date of birth to verify your identity.
3. Take steps to clear any blemishes on your credit.
Everybody wants the best deal possible when they’re ready to buy a used pickup truck. Banks base their financing offers on how well you’ve paid your debts so it’s crucial to clear any negative items off your credit report.
FACTS:
- One in five Americans are shocked to learn there are errors on their credit report.
- 79% of consumers who disputed credit report errors were successful in removing them.
If you have any blemishes on your credit report, take steps now to resolve them.
Example: If you’ve got a $48 collection on your report, make every attempt to make it right. If it’s a mistake, call the company and try to rectify it with them first. If that doesn’t produce results, dispute it with the credit reporting agencies. All three – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – have simple forms on their sites for disputes.
If the $48 collection is not a mistake, make every attempt to remedy it, including paying it. You’ll save much more than the $48 in finance charges that lenders will be forced to charge you if you leave it on your report.
Pro Tip: Our finance manager at Dye Autos says, “90% of the collections we see are due to medical charges/fees. Call the company and try to negotiate down the amount you owe and set up a doable payment plan so that things will begin to look more positive.”
Wrapping it all up…
Are you ready to buy a used pickup truck but need help preparing your credit? We have over 70 years experience in the car and truck financing business and we can help you! Call Dye Autos at (303) 286-1665 or fill out our handy contact form >>here<<.
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There are a lot of things to think about when considering the purchase of a used pickup truck.
- What size truck is right for me?
- Will I be hauling or towing anything?
- Does my budget fit for what I need?
If you’ve been shopping, you know that a pickup truck isn’t just a pickup truck.
In this guide, we’ll review the three different pickup trucks that consumers purchase the most, along with their specific attributes and uses.
As always, please get in touch with us if you have questions. At Dye Autos, we have over 100 years combined experience selling pickup trucks and we’re happy to help you!
A word about GVWR.
The US DOT puts trucks into classes by “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating” (GVWR) ranked from 1 to 8 (smallest to largest). In our example here, we’re going to cover Class 1, 2 and 3. These classes exist for safety regulation, commercial designation, and registration purposes.
GVWR refers to the maximum operating weight a truck can possibly carry while driving including the truck itself. GVWR classes have nothing to do with what parts the truck is fitted with, how beefy the suspension is, or what the truck looks like. They are solely based on weight.
So if a truck’s GVWR is 10,000 pounds, that’s the most the manufacturer and government have certified the truck to possibly weigh with fuel, passengers, and cargo.
Class 1, 2 and 3 are considered “Light Duty” even though there are the heavy duty pickup trucks in the light duty classification.
Now, let’s talk about the three sizes of pickup trucks so that when you’re out there shopping, you’ll know which type to look at first.
Compact Pickup Truck
Compact pickup trucks are built on a separate chassis frame from their full-size brethren and usually offer a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines. Not as small as past generations, these trucks are sometimes referred to as midsized and it can get confusing.
Today’s smallest trucks aren’t very small at all. As many drivers have discovered, some are really midsize trucks with near full-size proportions.
The most popular compact trucks include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and Honda Ridgeline.
Midsize Pickup Truck
Midsize pickup trucks are commonly used as general purpose passenger cars here in Colorado and the U.S. They are popular with construction and tradespeople along with everyday commuters and families. Because of this, there is demand for a pickup truck that is bigger than a compact, yet smaller and more fuel efficient than a full-size pickup. Enter the midsized truck!
The increased popularity of midsize trucks has led to the need for several different configurations and style of cab. Mid-size trucks can usually be found with single, extended, or crew cab configurations depending on what’s offered for the model and based on your needs.
Notable midsize trucks include the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota, and Ford Explorer SportTrac.
Full-Size Pickup Truck
Full-size pickup trucks are the brawny workhorses of the pickup world.
They are larger and more rugged, and they ride higher off the ground than compacts/midsizes do. They also come in more configurations of cab type, bed size, and drivetrain.
The basic pickup truck is what used to be called the half-ton truck and is now often called 1500-series. Current models in this class include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. These form the backbone of the pickup truck market. They serve well as work trucks and, for many, as a family car substitute.
Heavier-duty pickup trucks, which may carry numerical designations such as 2500 or 3500, are configured for carrying very serious loads and for hauling fifth-wheel trailers, those with a hitch point in the center of the cargo bed. These are bulky trucks for the most demanding chores, making them great for hauling a huge trailer.
Summing it all up…
We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to where you buy your next pickup truck. That’s why we share our expertise with you so that when the time comes, you’ll consider Dye Autos! Give us a call – we’d love to help! (303) 286-1665.
