Full-size trucks are the quintessential American vehicles. Americans build them; they buy them far more than any other type of car; and perhaps most importantly of all, they have the landscape to make use of them. Profits from full-size trucks provide the American automotive industry’s lifeblood. Ford, GM and Stellantis may call themselves mobility companies committed to a zero-emissions future, but it’s selling full-size trucks that will pay to develop that future.
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Much like country music, the full-size truck has redefined itself, broadened its appeal and defied entrenched stereotypes over the past couple of decades. Vital competition in this segment has made full-size trucks some of the most sophisticated, capable, practical and luxurious vehicles on the market. Ford, Ram and Chevy can’t afford for their full-size trucks to be anything less.
Pickup Truck Terminology
AFM: Active fuel management. A technology that allows the engine to reduce the number of cylinders being used under light loads.
Crew Cab: Term used by most manufacturers for a double cab with four full-size doors.
DFM: Dynamic fuel management. A General Motors technology that allows the engine to choose from between 17 different cylinder firing combinations as needed, for greater efficiency.
Eco: Prefix that indicates some effort has been made to make this engine more efficient…or that the manufacturer wishes to market it as such.
eTorque: Mild hybrid system for Fiat Chrysler engines that adds low-end torque.
Half-ton: Another name for the full-size segment. It used to correlate to payload capacity. It no longer does.
Hemi: Chrysler engine with a hemispherical induction chamber. These are large-displacement, high-output engines used on trucks and muscle cars.
Light-Duty: Another name for the full-size truck segment. Distinguishes these trucks from the “heavy-duty” vehicles optimized for hauling and towing, such as the F-Series Super Duty and Ram 2500.
Long Bed: A truck bed with a length of around eight feet. This length appears most commonly on work trucks. Most buyers opt for a shorter bed for easier handling.
Payload: The amount of weight a vehicle can carry, including passengers and cargo.
Towing Capacity: The amount of weight a vehicle can tow.
Buying Guide
Ford F-150
FordThe Ford F-150 is America’s most popular vehicle. It has topped the U.S. sales charts perennially for more than 30 years. And, most often, second place is not even close. The F-Series alone generates more revenue per year than companies like McDonald’s, Nike and Starbucks. Why is the F-150 so popular? Well, it may be the best-engineered American vehicle. And there’s an F-150 to suit just about everyone, whether you’re looking for a badass Baja 1000 rig, a plush road-going yacht or a basic work truck.
