15 Different Types of Pickup Trucks

Different Types of Pickup Trucks

There are different types of pickup trucks as they come in various configurations depending on the intended purpose.

Besides, pickup trucks are no longer for only farmers or tradespeople. 

They are now iconic vehicles that have gained popularity in various public sectors, from utility vehicles to fashion statements.  

Hence, modern pickup truck manufacturers have installed features for multiple activities, including recreational, urban, and farming applications in them.  

One has to be careful when getting a pickup truck so that the truck can fulfill its intended purpose. The different types of pickup trucks are;

1. Light Duty Pickup Truck

The light-duty pickup truck is first on the list of different pickup trucks. Besides, local tradesmen, such as electricians, usually use this truck.

These trucks have smaller engines, a shorter wheelbase, and a smaller load bin.  

Furthermore, the interior of these trucks is similar to what one will see in a mid-range SUV.

Additionally, the suspension of these trucks does not allow the transportation of heavy loads.  

However, they are an excellent towing vehicle for small to medium boats and trailers. A typical example of a light-duty pickup truck is the Ford F-150. 

2. Medium-Duty Pickup Truck

This is another different type of pickup truck. Moreover, these trucks are suitable for everyday use. This is because these trucks have an outstanding balance between power and size.  

Thus, different people use it for other purposes. Furthermore, these pickup trucks are relatively small, agile, and maneuverable, and you could even park them in regular garages.  

In addition, the fact that these trucks are small does not make them less powerful. 

These types of pickup trucks are made to handle everyday tasks, can be used to carry cargo, and have plenty of room for the family.

Some of the common examples of these trucks are Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger. 

3. Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck

Heavy-duty pickup trucks are next on the list of the different types of pickup trucks. Besides, these pickup trucks are in a class of their own.  

They usually feature large engine capacities in large displacement V8 engines. Moreover, the suspensions in these trucks enable them to carry heavier loads than other pickup trucks.  

Furthermore, these trucks’ towing capacity is impressive, making them popular for fifth-wheel or caravan owners.  

Also, they can be used to haul larger boats and trailers that carry heavy loads for industrial-size deliveries.

Standard heavy-duty pickup trucks are Ford F-series, Nissan Titan XD, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Ford F-250 Super Duty, and Ram 2500 HD. 

4. Luxury Pickup Truck

Yes, there are different types of pickup trucks made for luxury, showing that these vehicles have made their way into all population sectors and for other purposes. Besides, luxury pickup trucks refer to the fit and finish of the vehicle’s interior.  

These vehicles have gadgets and features in the car’s cabin that offer luxury rather than performance.

Thus, luxury pickup trucks fall from light-duty pickup trucks to heavy-duty pickup trucks.  

Also, the luxury models of these trucks generally cost more. Additionally, some of the features that can be added to make it luxurious are WiFi mobile phone connectivity, state-of-the-art sound systems, heated seats, high-end upholstery, etc. 

5. Half-Ton Pickup Truck

This is one of the different types of pickup trucks available. Besides, these vehicles are named based on the load the pickup can transport in its load bin combined with passenger weight.  

It is the truck’s maximum load-carrying capacity. It does not refer to the importance of the pickup truck itself.  

So, it means the maximum carrying capacity of the truck is 1000 pounds, which is half of a ton. Modern half-ton trucks can carry loads of more than 1000 pounds.  

Furthermore, the load bin does not restrict the truck from carrying more. The type of suspension installed in the truck is also involved.  

Moreover, the half-ton designation does not indicate the maximum towing capability of the truck.

Lastly, most half-ton pickup trucks fall under the light-duty pickup truck category.

So, if you hear anyone describing a pickup truck as a half-ton truck, it is most likely a light-duty pickup truck. 

6. Three-Quarter Ton Pickup Truck

This is also another one of the different types of pickup trucks. Moreover, as the name indicates, these vehicles can carry a combined weight of passengers and a payload of 1500 pounds.

Also, most three-quarter-ton pickup trucks fall under the medium-duty pickup truck category.  

So, if you hear anyone describing a pickup truck as a three-quarter-ton truck, it is most likely a medium-duty pickup truck.  

However, the modern version of these trucks can carry more than 1500 pounds, as the name implies.

Some standard three-quarter-ton pickup trucks are Ford F-250 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500. 

7. One Ton Pickup Truck

ShareThis is another different type of pickup truck that refers to its load-carrying capacity. Typically, a one-ton pickup truck refers to a modern heavy-duty pickup truck.  

Besides, these vehicles are the muscle cars of pickup trucks; they have large engines, axles, and suspensions, enabling them to carry heavy loads and beefed-up braking systems.  

Furthermore, some of these pickup trucks have dual rear wheels and diesel engines to cope better with the loads they can carry or tow.  

In addition, just like the other pickup trucks named based on their carrying capacity, the modern model of these pickup trucks can carry more than a ton of load. Some of the common examples of this vehicle are Ford F-350 and RAM 3500.  

8. Full-Size Pickup Truck

This is another type of pickup truck that refers to one-ton or heavy-duty pickup trucks.

Besides, these trucks often have much more cabin space and incorporate larger engines, usually in the V8 range. Typically, they ride higher off the ground than other pickup trucks.  

Thus, they are ideal for off-road driving. Also, these trucks come with all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel drive options to further boost their off-road capability, and they are the most expensive type of pickup truck. 

9. Compact Pickup Truck

This is another one of the different types of pickup trucks. However, the definition of these trucks varies depending on the location.

In some places, these vehicles are seen to have a much smaller load bay, and the passenger compartment makes up most of the vehicle.  

Thus, the truck’s front end looks more like a sedan than a pickup truck.

However, these vehicles are highly light pickup trucks with limited ground clearance and are only intended for urban use in other places.  

Typically, compact pickup trucks only have two-wheel drive. Some have front-wheel drive rather than rear-wheel drive, which is another indication that they are meant for urban use.

Also, compact pickup trucks have small petrol engines, usually in the range of 1600cc to 1800cc.  

These are the smallest pickup trucks typically used for small parcel deliveries or very light-load transport.

However, in recent years, compact pickup trucks have lost their popularity as more people are going for light-duty pickup trucks. 

10. Regular Cab Pickup Truck

Another different type of pickup truck is a regular cab pickup truck. Originally, pickup trucks were made for load transportation rather than carrying people.  

Regular cab pickup trucks have stayed true to this standard. They have a cab with limited space that can only take two people, each with a bucket seat.

Even when a bench seat is fitted in the cab, it can only take three people, including the driver.  

11. Crew Cab Pickup Truck

As the name indicates, a crew cab pickup truck is intended to carry the crew needed to do a job.

Thus, the car has four regular doors, accommodating a maximum of five adults in the truck’s cab.  

The vehicle’s configuration is two persons in front, including the driver, and three persons at the back.

Furthermore, the inside cab of these pickup trucks is usually quite spacious, and the load bay is reduced to accommodate the larger cabin space of the truck. 

12. Extended Cab Pickup Truck

This is another one of the different types of pickup trucks. These pickup trucks have front seats and rear seats but only two full-sized front doors.  

An extended cab pickup truck is not as spacious as a crew cab pickup truck because it is intended for occasional passenger transportation.

Furthermore, the rear seats can be accessed from the front door by leaning the front seat forward.  

However, some extended cab pickup truck has small courtesy doors that are rear-hinged to provide easier access to the back seat.

Extended pickup trucks with small courtesy doors do not require the front seat to be moved forward for the back seat to be accessed. 

13. Chassis Cab Pickup Truck

This is another one of the different types of pickup trucks. A chassis-cab pickup truck comes with a cab, a regular can, or an extended cab but no load box.  

The chassis is exposed where the load box should sit. Besides, the purpose of this type of pickup truck is for aftermarket equipment to be fitted into the chassis.  

Moreover, these pickup trucks are intended for agricultural and commercial use rather than for public urban and suburban use.

So, the chassis in place of the load box could be a flatbed, a tank bed for transporting liquids, light lifting cranes, or tow truck equipment. 

14. Electric Pickup Truck

Generally, Electric vehicles improve reliability, power, speed, and charging capabilities. Thus, it is only a matter of time before electric pickup trucks become popular.  

Besides, several major pickup truck manufacturers, e.g., Ford and Chevrolet, have started developing electric models.

Also, Tesla is already working on an electric version of the Tesla Cybertruck pickup truck. 

15. Hybrid Pickup Truck

Last on the list of different pickup trucks is a Hybrid pickup truck. Since electric pickup trucks are yet popular, the next best thing is a hybrid pickup truck.  

This truck combines the combustion engine with electric motor technology to produce a vehicle that uses the engine technology in a hybrid.

Besides, hybrid pickup trucks lack some of the power of fully combustion-engined pickup trucks.  

Hence, they usually come in light-duty and medium-duty pickup trucks.

Examples of hybrid pickup trucks are Ford’s hybrid F-150, RAM 1500 hybrid, GMC Sierra hybrid, and Chevrolet 1500 hybrid. 

In conclusion, you should consider these different types of pickup trucks when considering getting a pickup truck.

Besides, this article lets you decide on the kind of pickup truck that suits your budget and intended purpose. 

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