Many people who own a truck love that truck, but even the most enthusiastic owners can point out little things about their pickup that they would change if they could. I have loved most of the trucks that I have owned over the years, but in every case, I can think of one aspect that turned out to be less than ideal. When speaking to other truck owners, I found that all of them have either features that they would have liked to change or aspects of ownership that they would change. Today, we bring you a list of the top 5 truck regrets that owners have, and if you have owned a few pickups in your life, you are likely to have experienced at least one of them.
Four-Wheel-Drive is Worth the Extra Money
I have bought several rear-wheel-drive trucks in my life, always because they were a great deal. I have always lived in an area that gets heavy snowfall, but I bought rear-drive trucks knowing that I would have to battle winter. Eight months a year, 2WD was fine, but there were more than a few situations over the years where my rear-drive trucks couldn’t get out of my steep driveway. In speaking with other drivers, this proved to be one of the top truck regrets owners have.
Four-wheel-drive trucks obviously cost more, but they also have higher used values. Even if you don’t live in an area that gets snowy or icy winters, and even if you never drive on anything but nice, paved roads, it is better to have four-wheel-drive and not need than to need it and not have it. In the end, having 4WD makes the truck far more capable across a wider range of driving situations.
Settling for the Wrong Truck
When you go shopping for a truck, whether it is new or used, you should always have a clear list of what you want from that truck. When you make that list, especially in the case of brand new trucks, you should really stick by those expectations. In speaking with drivers, I learned that settling for a truck that did not have key features that they really wanted was one of the main truck regrets owners have. The most common regret relating to buying the wrong truck often started with someone opting for a lower priced trimline, which generally means far fewer interior goodies. Once they had to live with those trucks, they were sorry that they didn’t pay more money for the features that they really wanted.
Light-Colored Interiors are a Nightmare to Keep Light-Colored
No matter what type of vehicle you are buying, if you get a light-colored interior, you are going to have to put in plenty of work to keep it looking great. This is especially true of trucks, which often have harder lives than SUVs or cars.
Many of us have been in this scenario. You are shopping for a new truck and you see a premium trim level pickup with light-colored interior. The light-colored leather throughout the cabin against the light-colored carpeting looks great at first look and during the test drive, you fall in love with the way the interior looks and feels. You pull the trigger and buy that truck, and you love it for the first few weeks. Then one day you get in with muddy shoes, leaving a dark smudge on the carpeting next to the driver’s seat. Then a few weeks later, your son spills some Cherry Slurpee on the back seat and floor. A few months later, you notice that the light-colored leather is starting to discolor where it is being touched often. Those are just normal issues. If you use the truck for any sort of work where you are getting in and out of the truck with dirty clothes, that light-colored interior is going to look gross in a hurry.
Unless you like paying a detailer or you live a very clean life, getting a light-colored interior is often a top truck regret that owners have.
Make Sure That You Get the Right Amount of Truck
When you go shopping for a new truck, the size of the truck is one of the most important decisions. Do you get a mid-sized or full-sized pickup, and if full-sized, do you go with a half-ton or a heavy duty truck? As it turns out, some mid-sized truck owners quickly learn that they needed the size and capabilities of a half-ton. Some half-ton owners learn that they should have gotten a heavy duty and some HD owners learn that they really didn’t need that big of a truck.
Some people buy a smaller truck that doesn’t meet their needs because it allows them to save money at the dealership. Some people buy a bigger truck because they figure that bigger can only be better, but they end up paying for capabilities that they don’t need. They end up with a truck that they can’t use or don’t need, which is key truck regret owners have.
If you are going to be doing a great deal of heavy hauling and towing – even if it is within the range of a half-ton – a heavy duty truck might be the better choice for you. If you never tow or haul, you probably don’t need an HD and if you do tow, but you only tow a small trailer or boat, you can pull that trailer for less money with a nice half-ton. The bottom line is that getting a truck that truly meets your needs will allow you to get the pickup you need without overspending.
Many Owners Regret Selling a Special Truck
If you love your current truck, think twice about selling it to upgrade to the hot, new thing. When speaking to truck owners, the number 1 most common regret that owners had was getting rid of that special truck. Whether it is a performance truck that you have modified to be insanely fast or just a daily driver that has been problem-free, the next truck might not be as lovable as your current truck. If you are upgrading simply to upgrade and not because your current truck has issues or shortcomings, make sure that the new truck truly checks all of the boxes as well as your current ride. Otherwise, you might be the next person talking about how much they wish that they never sold that truck.
