If you typed “Used Car Sales” into the search engine because you’re looking for a good used truck, we’ve got you covered. There are many different types of trucks, and every size offers a different purpose. On average, most drivers prefer half-ton trucks. These include well-known models like the Ram 1500, the Chevy Silverado 1500, and the Ford F-150, which are all capable and attractive pickups. In this article, we’ll detail some of the best used half-ton truck models to help you narrow down your decision.
The 2016 Chevy Silverado
All Chevy truck models come in multiple trims and configurations. But overall, no matter what trim you choose, the 2016 Chevy Silverado is a great half-ton truck option. Whether you want it for light towing and other work, or you just want to cruise around and look cool, there’s a 2016 Silverado out there for you.
There are three different engines to choose from on this model. We’re going to give you the low down on which engine is capable of what. First, we’ve got the 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 engine. This one lets you tow up to 7,100 pounds. It’s the best option when it comes to fuel-efficiency, too. So, if you don’t plan on towing a lot of weight, this is the perfect engine for you.
Further, the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine allows you to tow up to 11,100 pounds, and you only lose a bit of fuel efficiency as a result. This is a pretty ideal balance between the two engines, just as long as you don’t need to tow ridiculously heavy weights. Finally, the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 heightens the towing capacity up just a bit, landing at 12,000 pounds. However, fuel efficiency won’t be as ideal with this model due to its higher horsepower and torque.
Overall, the 2016 Chevy Silverado is a great used half-ton model. It has a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and it comes in crew cab, extended cab, and regular cab options, along with short bed, standard bed, and long bed choices. Plus, it comes in ten different color options, including Red Hot, Summit Ice, and Autumn Bronze. With Chevy’s long history of durability and reliance, you can’t go wrong with a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2015 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is another great half-ton pickup truck option. The 2015 Ford F-150 comes with four different engine options, so we’ll detail the differences between those here. First, we’ve got the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces up to 282 horses at 253 pound-feet of torque. This engine is capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds, making it perfect for towing small boats and ATVs. For more power, look for the 2.7-liter EcoBoost, with its 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. This capable little engine can pull up to 8,400 pounds.
Next up, we’ve got the larger 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that produces a hefty 365 horses at 420 pound-feet of torque, towing up to 12,100 pounds. Although it is not the largest engine, it is the most powerful. Finally, we’ve got the 5.0-liter V8 engine, which offers 385 horsepower but only 387 pound-feet of torque for a tow rating of up to 11,100 pounds. Overall, the 2015 Ford F-150 tows a bit more than the 2016 Chevy Silverado, partially thanks to its light and durable aluminum body.
Much like the Silverado, the F-150 different cab sizes and bed sizes, so you can pick exactly what works best for you. This model comes in thirteen different colors, including a lot more variety than the Silverado. These colors include more unique options like Green Gem, Bronze Fire, and Caribou. You’ll also see a variety of available wheels on this model, as it originally came with fourteen different wheel options to choose from. Overall, the 2015 Ford F-150 is a great used truck option for casual truckers and serious haulers alike.
2016 GMC Sierra 1500
Most people know that there aren’t too many differences between a Silverado and a Sierra. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any, but the engines perform the same. The 2016 GMC Sierra includes the same three engine options as the 2016 Chevy Silverado, including a base 4.3-liter V6, the middle of the road 5.3-liter V8, and the top of the line 6.2-liter V8. However, the added luxury features of the GMC models do reduce the max tow ratings slightly from what the Silverado offers.
While the Sierra performs the same engine-wise, it offers different aesthetic options and features. First off, it’s designed a more upscale appeal than the Silverado, especially if you opt for the luxurious Denali trim that has no Chevy equivalent. The Sierra sports a fancier chrome grille and a broader front end. But don’t worry – under the fancy exterior, this truck is built for hard work.
The 2017 Ram 1500
The Ram also comes with three different engine options and is the only used truck on this list to have an available diesel engine. The first is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which produces up to 305 horses and 269 pound-feet of torque. And despite its good fuel economy, this engine can still tow up to 7,600 pounds, making it stand out against its competitors.
Next up is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, which produces 395 horses and 410 pound-feet of torque. You can tow the most with this engine, landing at 10,640 pounds. Lastly, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 gives you the best fuel economy of up to 35 miles per gallon. With this engine, drivers can tow up to 9,210 pounds, all while maintaining stellar mileage.
We thought the F-150 had decent color options, but nothing can top Ram’s diversely abundant color palette. This model comes in 30 different colors to choose from. Not only does the Ram offer everyone base color you could ask for, but it also offers several shades in most colors. These colors vary from metallics and mats to glosses. Overall, the 2017 Ram 1500 is great if you need to tow decently sized items while looking stylish whatever color you prefer.
Which One Is the Top Model Here?
As you can see, each of these used trucks comes with its own pros and cons. The F-150 offers the best towing capacity, the Ram offers the most colors, the Sierra shines when it comes to luxury, and the Chevy offers a dependable and affordable truck. Overall, which of these popular pickups is right for you will depend on what you are looking for in a truck, and the only way to find out which one clicks for you is by taking them out for a test drive.
However, these four model years are just a small selection of the many used trucks for sale. The exact looks, features, and capabilities will change depending on the model year. In some cases, a Ram will out-tow GM and Ford models, and in some years, the F-150 has more luxury features than its competitors. Each of these used truck models will get the job done efficiently, but finding your perfect used truck is well worth the time that it takes.
