by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shopping for a used pickup truck on a budget? Odds are, you don’t want to find yourself stuck behind the wheel of a total dud. Fortunately, Consumer Reports’ data makes shopping for the best used pickup truck a pretty manageable task. In fact, if you’re shopping for the best used pickup trucks under $30K, Consumer Reports recommends putting these used trucks at the top of your list.

The 2014 and the 2019 Honda Ridgeline are among the best used trucks under $30K

Don’t overlook the 2014 or the 2019 Honda Ridgeline, if you’re in the market for the best used truck under $30K. In fact, the 2014 Honda Ridgeline is a reliable used truck, according to Consumer Reports. The organization even gave it a five out of five reliability rating. Consumer Reports added that this used Honda Ridgeline “rewrites the book on pickups.”

As for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline? This used Honda Ridgeline earned a slightly lower four out of five reliability rating. However, Consumer Reports did give it a five out of five owner satisfaction rating. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline is the “most civilized pickup truck” it’s ever tested, Consumer Reports added. 

The best used pickups under $30,000 include these used Toyota Tacoma model years

The Toyota Tacoma is among the most well-known used trucks on the road today. And if you’re shopping for the best used pickup trucks under $30,000? Odds are the Toyota Tacoma is on your list. But for the best used Toyota Tacoma model years? Consumer Reports recommends checking out the 2012 to 2015 Toyota Tacoma, along with the 2016 and 2017 Toyota Tacoma.

These model years are among the most reliable Toyota Tacoma models. Take, for example, 2012 through 2015 Toyota Tacoma models. Consumer Reports not only recommends each model year, but it also gave each Toyota Tacoma model a five out of five reliability rating. That’s a pretty solid rating if you’re shopping for a reliable used truck on a budget.

The best used Toyota Tundra model years on a budget

The Toyota Tacoma isn’t the only used Toyota truck worth checking out. In fact, Consumer Reports says that several used Toyota Tundra models are among the best used pickup trucks under $30K. The most reliable used Toyota Tundra models include the 2011 through 2013 models too. Consumer Reports also gave each model year a four out of five owner satisfaction rating.

The best used pickup trucks include the 2016 and 2017 Toyota Tundra too. Consumer Reports gave the 2016 Toyota Tundra a five out of five reliability rating. It also gave it a four out of five owner satisfaction rating. As for the 2017 Toyota Tundra? Consumer Reports gave it a four out of five reliability and owner satisfaction rating.

The best used pickup trucks under $30K are worth checking out

If you’re shopping for a used pickup on a budget, Consumer Reports’ list of the best used pickup trucks under $30K makes for an excellent place to start. Whether you opt for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline or a used Toyota Tacoma, these used trucks are worth checking out.

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The post The Best Used Pickup Trucks Under $30K Recommended by Consumer Reports appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For a while, the Internet has been circulating this rumor that a legislator walked between two vehicles and bruised their shin on a ball hitch. While it might seem kind of far-fetched for a legislator to have a vendetta against vehicle accessories, some have tried to pass laws requiring removing or covering ball hitches when not towing. So, it begs the question: is it illegal to drive around with an exposed ball hitch anywhere in the United States?

What is a ball hitch and what can be towed using one?

A ball hitch is simply an accessory used with a receiver hitch. It’s comprised of a shank that slides into the receiver tube and a trailer ball platform. The trailer ball platform is designed to make attaching a trailer as easy as possible while providing a solid mounting platform. Ball hitches come in various sizes and capacities, making them one of the most commonly used trailer hitch accessories. Some are made of a single piece, or fixed, while others are comprised of two or more pieces, or adjustable.

Ball hitches are capable of towing between one ton and 15 tons gross trailer weight (GTW). To put that in perspective, the highest-class ball hitch could easily tow a four to five-car hauler trailer or two single-propeller light aircrafts. If a semi-trailer is a little too much for what you’re hauling, the correct class of ball hitch can definitely handle the job.

Nearly all ball hitches feature one or more holes up and down the shank for accepting a hitch pin or hitch lock. Either device prevents the shank from sliding out of the receiver, safeguarding it from theft. You may also use a universal coupler lock along with the coupler latch to keep the coupler securely latched onto your ball hitch.

Sizes, classes, and weight ratings: how to choose?

There are primarily seven different types of trailer hitches and four standard trailer ball sizes: 1-7/8 inches, 2 inches, 2-5/16 inches, and 3 inches. It’s important to note that those measurements refer to the diameter of the ball. These four sizes are the industry standard for ball hitches made and sold in the United States. By standardizing ball hitch sizes, the trailer industry as a whole wanted to be sure consumers were able to couple and tow easily.

According to CURT Manufacturing, “When choosing a trailer ball, first select the ball diameter by matching it to the coupler size. Most manufacturers stamp or label the correct trailer ball size on the coupler. Make sure that your coupler and trailer ball have a solid connection before towing and that all necessary adjustments have been made.

If the boat trailer disconnects from the hitch, properly connected safety chains keep the trailer connected to the tow vehicle until it can be brought to a stop. Learn how to inspect trailer safety chains for wear and damage and then how to properly connect to the tow vehicle. pic.twitter.com/qyJCLQHvce

— fishandboat (@fishandboat) May 26, 2021

A vehicle’s trailer hitch setup and the type of trailer are determinate factors when one chooses a trailer hitch. Besides types, you have five hitch classes with individual weight ratings. Generally, you would want to pay particular attention to the GTW capacity. The second rating of importance is the maximum tongue weight (TW) or the total weight at the coupling point.

Your TW should ideally be between 10% to 15% of your trailer’s GTW. TW capacities range from as little as 200 pounds maximum for Class 1 to as much as 2,700 pounds maximum for Class 5 commercial duty.

Is it illegal to have a hitch if you’re not towing anything?

In a Q&A section of the Duluth News Tribune, the public information officer with the Minnesota State Patrol, Sergeant Neil Dickenson was posed this question by a reader: “I was wondering if it is illegal to have the ball hitch in the receiver of my truck if I am not pulling any trailers at that time? Also, is it illegal to have more than one ball on my bumper?”

According to Sgt. Dickenson, “No, it is not illegal to have a ball hitch in the receiver of a truck when not pulling a trailer at that time. It is not illegal to have more than one ball hitch on the bumper. But with that being said, you need to be aware that multiple ball hitches on the bumper could obstruct the rear license plate.”

Minnesota law states that it’s “unlawful to cover any assigned letters and numbers or the name of the state of origin of a license plate with any material whatever…” That said, this holds true for most states in the U.S., though you’d be wise to double-check the laws wherever you reside.

RELATED: Can a Compact Car Tow a Trailer?

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