As someone on the short side of the spectrum, I’ve come to appreciate all the fine-tuning you can do to the driver’s position these days. With everything from adjustable seat bottoms to tilt-and-telescoping steering wheels, automakers are able to make vehicles suitable for a wider range of drivers. But you know what I’d really like to see on more vehicles? Adjustable pedals. Especially on pickup trucks. Most especially on pickup trucks in households with taller and smaller drivers.
I mean, just because you’ve managed to get the seat adjusted so your feet comfortably reach the pedals, it doesn’t mean you’re a safe distance from the steering wheel – and vice versa.
The only true way to customize your driving position is to be able to move the pedals as well.
Unfortunately, the list of pickup trucks that offer adjustable pedals is small — and dwindling.
For 2020, you’ll only find them on the following trucks:
- Ford F-150 and (available at XLT trims and above)
- Ford Super Duty (available at XLT trims and above)
- Ram 1500 Rebel (available with Level 1 or Level 2 Equipment Group)
- Ram 2500/3500 Laramie & Power Wagon (available with Level 1 or Level 2 Equipment Group)
It should be noted, however, that just because this feature is available on a particular truck or trim doesn’t mean they come standard – they’re usually tucked into a package of some sort.
It’s also worth noting there isn’t a single midsize truck that offers – or ever offered – this feature.
If you don’t mind buying used, however, I will point out the first-generation Nissan Titan (2003 – 2015) also offered adjustable pedals.
So why do some offer them and some don’t?
According to Ram Trucks, the company line on why the pedal option is offered is all about luxury.
“Ram 1500 customers value the ride comfort and luxury we offer through a combination of class-leading coil or air suspension systems,” a company spokesperson said. “Features like the adjustable pedals offer a little bit more luxury across multiple trim levels and are part of an overall approach to customer comfort.”
In contrast, a representative from Nissan said the decision to remove the pedal option on Titan was based on consumer research that favored a telescoping steering wheel over adjustable pedals.
“Research showed that telescopic steering was able to ergonomically support equal or better than adjustable pedals for a wider range of occupants,” he said.
Me? I say: Why not both?
The bottom line on adjustable pedals
At 5 feet tall, I’m what they call “the fifth percentile female,” which happens to be the lowest common denominator most automakers design for. But just because I can drive something doesn’t mean it’s comfortable.
Without the pedal option in a truck, I often end up with my leg trapped between the seat bottom and the underbelly of the dash because of the far-forward, height adjusted driving position. This is nothing a telescoping steering wheel will fix.
So, I’ve found the highest comfort level comes from having both telescoping steering wheel and adjustable pedals.
I know a lot of people have been asking about trucks with this feature, so I’d be curious to hear why you want them (or don’t) – especially since I have to assume pretty much nobody reading this is also 5 feet tall.
Related posts:
IIHS study shows women are up to 73% more likely to be injured in crashes
Adjustable pedals in SUVs: 2021 Ford, Lincoln models are the last men standing
40 comments
Cheryl Brown
I am 4’10 and grew up with trucks, I have always used pillows for my back to get me close to the peddles and when I got older and was looking to get my own truck I took 6 months of research and found that the Titan was my choice truck mainly because the peddles moved, that was in 2005. Now I am ready to look for another truck and was very disappointed that Nissan stated that they found more people wanted a telescoping steering wheel vs the peddles. Now I am torn on what to do. This needs to be an option with all automakers, Maybe if they had to “Suck Dash” every time they drove they might see it in a new light.
Boyd Merriman
We had PAPs on our 2004 and 2005 Chrysler T&C, it was a blessing for my 4’11” wife! I am over 6 feet! What I really want is PAPs in connection to memory seat setting where when you press one of the two memory buttons, your seat will adjust to your setting, but your PAP will also adjust as well. That is my dream pickup truck!
Thomas Sloane
My wife is 5’1″ and has the same issues. I always try to buy a truck with the adjustable pedal option for those rare times when my wife needs to drive my truck. My last three trucks were F-250 Lariats, and I’ve seen firsthand how much it helps her drive the truck. Seems like an easy-enough feature to offer on all trucks. My latest truck is a Sierra 2500HD SLT and I was surprised to find that GMC doesn’t have this feature. Bummer.
Roger
Here we are in 2023 still talking about this. I’m 6 ft, my wife is 5ft 1”. I’ve had a couple new F-150’s over the years & always added adjustable pedals for her, but I ended up enjoying the adjustability too. It’s like being able to adjust your seating position in 3 dimensions instead of 2, if you know what I mean.
Now we are looking at a used truck as a 2nd vehicle to our SUV. Expecting it to be a long search to find something used (2009-ish) with adjustable pedals, but that will probably be a bigger selling point than brand.