Utility, construction, and landscaping firms buy 80-percent of pickups. Many are overworked and under maintained. Low mileage is not an accurate predictor of remaining trouble free service life. Numerous drivers may have bashed them around job sites, plowed snow or towed heavy equipment, all driveline killers. Body damage is often repaired privately and may not appear on a history report. A prospective purchase should be assessed by a body repair technician. Tip: the majority of commercial trucks are white.
Part-time four wheel drive (4WD) with low range gearing is for poor traction road conditions only; ice, mud, snow, and loose gravel. Dry pavement use results in damaging driveline binding, wheel hop and costly repairs. Badly treated 4WD vehicles are money pits. Full-time all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles have a center differential that allows the axles to rotate at different speeds eliminating dry pavement issues.
Finding a good used pickup is challenging. Paying a premium for an up-optioned truck used mostly for passenger carrying, personal trips and commuting makes financial sense. Engage an independent off-site mechanic to inspect a purchase before committing, especially if it has 4WD or an automatic transmission.
