​The Truck You are Considering has a Pristine Paint Job and Gnarly Moto Metal Wheels

Buying a used pickup isn’t as easy as searching for a used Hyundai. Used trucks are often harder used and may have lived a workhorse-style life, which means there is much more to contemplate than just looks and mileage. And while slamming the doors and kicking the tires of a car to determine sturdiness, you will need to do a whole lot more when selecting the truck that most suits you.

Even if the truck you are considering has a pristine paint job and gnarly Moto Metal wheels, there are other things you should look for. So don’t be sold on truck wheels and prettiness alone.

Just what should you look for? Here are a few answers that might help.

Towing and Hauling

One important thing to evaluate when searching for a used pickup truck is just how much hauling and towing was done by the current owner. If a truck has spent tens of thousands of miles towing a trailer or big boat, there is almost sure to be more than normal wear on the mechanical components. This is something that is never a concern when you are searching for a minivan or used Hyundai.

You can ask the owner how much towing and hauling the truck had been through and hope for an honest answer. But since not everybody lives by a moral code you cannot always count on what you are told. For this reason, we suggest you take the truck to a trusted mechanic who will give it a good inspection and let you know if there is evidence of a lot of towing.

Of course, there are signs you can look for as well. For example, a worn trailer hitch is a sign that a lot of towing has occurred.

Off-Road Use

Yet another consideration when searching for a used truck is how it has been used over the years. It is doubtful that you will find a used pickup owned by a little old lady who only drove it to and from church on Sundays.

The fact is that there is a good chance the truck you are looking at may have spent time climbing over mountain trails or down dusty country paths.

Many used trucks will have lead a life of tough work on a farm or spent the weekends conquering off-road trails, it is what they are built for after all. But there will be truck owners who may have been a little too rough with their trucks or didn't properly take care of them.

To check to see to what extent a truck was used off-road, you can check for scratches, dents and bent parts on the underside. That is not to say that you must avoid a truck that was used off-road, just make sure to have a mechanic check it out.

You might get lucky and find a used truck that enjoyed a pampered, in-town life. Like that Hyundai you were thinking about buying for the wife.