If you’re considering a new midsize or full-size pickup truck, you will want to take note of a few important things before making up your mind.
America’s love for trucks is a story that spans many decades, and it’s easy to see why. They’re durable vehicles with great levels of work capability, excellent for transporting families or traveling long distances, and possess rugged features that make them the go-to choice for those wanting to tackle extreme off-road terrain with ease. But, such adulation for trucks comes with a price (albeit a good one), such as manufacturers going all out to offer an overwhelming number of options, which can make deciding on the right truck a touch confusing.
To help, we’ve created this article as a buffer zone where you can find all the information you need to decide whether a midsize or full-size truck is right for you. As there are compelling trucks you can buy across both segments, the end game here isn’t about which is the better truck class but rather which one is ideal for your specific needs. Also, for the sake of this article, we’re only going to consider half-ton trucks such as the Ford F-150 and Silverado 1500, and not heavy-duty models like the Ram 2500 HD, Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD, or Ford F-350 Super Duty (which also fall within the full-size truck segment). With that important context out of the way, here are four things to consider when trying to choose between a midsize and full-size pickup truck.Size and capacity
Modern full-size trucks typically measure between 209 inches to around 253 inches in length, which makes them larger than their midsize counterparts, given the latter’s average of 210-227 inches. This size difference allows full-size trucks to fit larger cargo beds, bigger engines, stronger frames, and ultimately offer higher towing and payload capacities. As a result, most gasoline-fed full-size pickup trucks are rated to tow 12,000 pounds and higher, with the likes of the Ford F-150 capable of pulling up to 14,000 pounds of weight when appropriately equipped. The payload ratings of full-size trucks are also substantial, with the majority able to carry up to between 1,940 and 2,530 pounds in their beds.
For midsize pickup trucks, towing capacity maxes out at around 7,700 pounds for most models, with the rest offering less capability. As for payload, most midsize pickup trucks carry around 1,700 pounds and below, save for the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster and Ford Ranger, which are rated to tow 1,840 and 1,805 pounds, respectively.
