The Best Used Full-Size Trucks Under $20,000 According to KBB

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a new full-size truck can make for an expensive purchase. For many pickup shoppers, that makes buying a used truck the best option for their budget. But with so many used full-size trucks on the market, how do you decide which is the best full-size truck to buy? The good news is that Kelley Blue Book (KBB) recently revealed its picks for the best used full-size trucks under $20,000. 

The 2013 Ram 1500 is one of the best used full-size trucks

2013 Ram 1500 | Stellantis

Let’s kick things off with the 2013 Ram 1500, one of the best used full-size trucks under $20,000. According to KBB, this used pickup truck is “comfortable to drive and has an upscale interior.” It’s available in multiple body styles and trims levels, including Tradesman, SLT, Sport, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie Limited trims. 

It can also be had with three different engines under the hood, including a 3.6-liter V6, a 4.7-liter V8, and a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Not only that, but the used Ram 1500 can also tow a considerable amount of weight. In fact, this used truck boasts enough muscle to tow a maximum of 10,050 pounds.

KBB isn’t the only one singing the used Ram 1500’s praises either. As a matter of fact, way back when the 2013 Ram 1500 was first introduced, Motor Trend named it the Motor Trend Truck of the Year. “Our judges were won over by the performance of Ram 1500’s broad array of standard and optional equipment. It’s a truck that can be tailored to meet most anyone’s needs,” Motor Trend said at the time.

The 2013 Chevy Silverado is a used full-size truck under $20,000

A 2013 Chevrolet Silverado LT Extended Cab Pickup parked, the 2013 Chevy Silverado is a used full-size truck
2013 Chevrolet Silverado | Chevrolet

The 2013 Chevy Silverado earned itself a spot on KBB’s list too. In fact, if you’re after a used full-size truck under $20,000 that offers just about everything, this is the used full-size truck to go with, KBB reports. It offers several different engine options, including a 4.3-liter V6, a 6.0-liter V8 Hybrid, and a selection of potent V8 engines. And when it comes to towing? This used truck boasts a maximum tow rating of 10,700 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2013 Chevy Silverado offers no shortage of trim levels to choose from too. However, standard across the board are features like a tire-pressure-monitoring system, air conditioning, and two auxiliary power outlets. For features like 10-way power-heated front bucket seats, leather seating, power-adjustable heated mirrors, and a Bose premium audio system, consider seeking out the range-topping Chevy Silverado LTZ.

The 2013 Toyota Tundra is the best used full-size truck under $20,000

A white 2013 Toyota Tundra parked outdoors
2013 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

Say you’re after the best used full-size pickup truck under $20,000. If that’s the case, consider the 2013 Toyota Tundra, which, according to KBB, is the best used full-size truck under $20,000. For good reasons, too. The used 2013 Toyota Tundra can be had with two V8 engines: a 4.6-liter V8 and a 5.7-liter V8. When properly equipped, it can also tow up to 10,400 pounds. This used pickup also offers up “first-class interior accommodations,” KBB reports.

Perhaps what’s most enticing about choosing a used Toyota Tundra is the truck’s solid reputation for reliability. In fact, Consumer Reports gave the 2013 model a five out of five reliability rating. Such a high rating isn’t unusual for the Tundra either. More often than not, Consumer Reports has given this full-size truck a five out of five reliability rating.

“Backed by Toyota’s enviable reputation for safety and reliability, the 2013 Tundra is a genuine workhorse with impressive towing capabilities, rugged construction, and first-class interior accommodations.”

KBB

Are you shopping for a used pickup on a budget?

If you’re shopping for a used full-size truck under $20,000, you’ve got plenty of options to consider. But when it comes to determining which of KBB’s picks is the best used truck for you? We recommend getting behind the wheel for a test drive.

RELATED: Used Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid: What You Need to Know Before Buying

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What Is Collision Coverage And Do You Really Need It?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Several types of auto insurance exist, and the law doesn’t drivers to have them all. Collision coverage is optional for cars already paid off but is useful in tight circumstances.

What Is Collision Coverage?

Rear-End Collision | Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Collision coverage helps shoulder the damage to a driver’s vehicle who’s at fault in the event of an accident, whether with someone else’s vehicle or with an object. The law requires a driver to have liability, which only helps pay the victim. Without collision, the insurance company won’t cover the repair or replacement of the vehicle for the driver at fault. Most of the time collision coverage is mandatory for financed or leased cars but is otherwise optional.

Who Benefits From Collision Coverage?

crashed-bow
Crashed BMW | Getty

Fundamentally, accident-prone drivers with expensive cars may reap greater rewards from collision coverage than a more careful driver. However, this coverage could increase monthly payments, which could get expensive. The Insurance Information Institute cites the average cost for collision coverage as $290 per month. A safe driver could save money with a higher deductible.

What Else Does Collision Cover? 

blue-car-crashed-into-storefront
Blue Car Crashed Into Storefront | Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images

Collision covers pothole damage, as well as any parking lot damage. It also kicks in if the driver loses control and flips the car over. However, it isn’t a license to attack trees or other cars. Collision won’t cover health bills or non-driving-related incidents, such as hail or theft.

Is Collision Coverage Always Necessary?

insurance-agent-assessing-damage
Insurance Agent Assessing Damage | Getty

Knowing if collision coverage is needed depends on how much the car is worth. Insurance companies offer deductible rates which correlate with monthly premiums, thus a lower deductible will get a driver higher premiums. In other words, a $1,000 deductible may not be necessary on a car worth $800. 

Most of the time, the amount of money that collision insurance offers is the cash value of the car. If a driver totals a car, the insurance company would pay the owner for the car’s current market value. 

What Other Types Of Coverage Are There?

lamp-post-fallen-on-car
Lamp Post Fallen On Car | DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images

Comprehensive is another type of insurance, which covers damage from non-driving-related incidents like fire, riots, and vandalism. Drivers only need liability to drive a car on the street, which only covers the driver-at-fault. Liability is good to have for when an accident victim claims personal injury.

Any damage caused by driving is covered, but only up to a certain amount. If the car is not worth the deductible, then collision could cost more than the car’s value. The owner’s driving habits and the car’s value help determine if collision coverage is necessary. Opting out is always an option on a car that’s already paid off.

RELATED: Is GAP Insurance Worth Buying?

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A Teacher’s 15-Year Search for His Old Volkswagen Golf GTI

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s common enough to watch a movie where a driver feels a genuine bond with their vehicle. This happens in the real world as well. In fact, a Volkswagen Golf GTI inspired one man to take a new career path that he never thought possible.

That wasn’t the full story, however. The truth is that after selling his 1995 Golf GTI, this man realized he made a mistake and turned to his friends to locate the car that got away.

Volkswagen has a history of making iconic cars

1995 Volkswagen Golf GTI | Volkswagen of America, Inc.

VW has been around for a long time now. In fact, it was originally founded on May 28, 1937, in Germany. It played a major role in Germany’s economic recovery after WWII and soon became a household name amongst car enthusiasts. 

Since that time, Volkswagen has continued to make progress and it consistently pushes the boundaries of what cars can do. It developed the iconic Beetle, which inspired the game ‘Punch Bug’, where people lightly tap others on the shoulder when they see a Volkswagen Beetle. Other notable models include the Scirocco, the Passat, and the Jetta.

Outside of the Beetle, one of the most famous of all is the Volkswagen Golf GTI. After it first hit dealership floors in 1976, the Golf GTI quickly became one of Volkswagen’s most popular vehicles, and it even changed one man’s life for the better.

One Volkswagen Golf GTI changed a teacher’s life

Who knew a Volkswagen could inspire a teacher to start a new career and help him find the love of his life? Yet that’s exactly what happened when a teacher from Detroit bought a 1995 Volkswagen Golf GTI, according to VW Media.

It started simply enough. Andres Valbuena bought the VW Golf GTI to travel back and forth to work. He became fascinated with his Golf GTI and began driving it to autocross events in his spare time. At one of these events, he met another auto lover who spoke Spanish, and the two became friends. 

Valbuena began working in his friend’s auto shop and picked up quite a bit about autos during his spare time. This led to him meeting other auto enthusiasts, which opened the door for him to apply for a job as a technical writer for Volkswagen of America. Valbuena later went on to work as a product specialist, as well as a product launch manager for the 2012 Beetle.

After driving the Golf GTI to Asheville, North Carolina, where he proposed to his soon-to-be wife, Valbuena eventually sold his beloved Golf GTI and went on to purchase more Volkswagen models. However, the car that started him on a new path in life kept tugging at him, and he decided that he wanted it back. 

After reaching out to some friends, he found his old Volkswagen Golf GTI and was able to purchase it. The Golf GTI required a lot of work to fix up, but to Valbuena, it was worth it.

Will the new Volkswagen Golf GTI inspire more fond memories?

It’s certainly possible. Good Housekeeping picked the 2021 Golf GTI as a great family car, and the 2022 model has definitely kicked it up a notch since then. The new 2022 Volkswagen GTI will doubtless lead to lots of great family memories.

Thanks to its upgraded performance, the 2022 Golf GTI will have an entertaining ride. It’s built on the same platform as the Mk7, so this should give you an idea of what it can do. The EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter Inline-four engine generates 242 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, so drivers won’t feel like they’re left sitting at a red light while everyone else is surging past. 

RELATED: What’s the Difference Between the Volkswagen Golf and GTI?

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Ford Recalls 35,000 F-350 Trucks for a Dangerous Reason

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Recalls happen. Sometimes, manufacturers simply don’t know how a part or some sort of software will hold up in “the field”. Unfortunately, this is the case now, with a massive Ford recall being issued. The recall has affected numerous models in the brand’s lineup. The recall affected a total of 850,000 units. Unfortunately, things only get worse from there. There’s numerous reasons for the recall, varying from critical suspension componentry to electrical issues.

Ford recalls have affected additional models

A Ford Explorer after the rain | George Rose via Getty Images

As said above, it isn’t just the F-350 that was affected. The massive recall also struck at Ford-owned brand Lincoln. Also recalled was the brand’s Aviator SUV. More specifically, the issue centers around one of the vehicle’s most critical areas: the battery. Unfortunately, the wiring harness that contains the battery cable has been reported to fail. This can cause a host of issues, ranging from unsafe battery operation to symptoms akin to a dead battery. In total, the recall claimed 40,995 Aviator SUVs.

Moreover, the Ford recall has affected a third vehicle in the brand’s lineup. Hit particularly hard was the Blue Oval’s own Explorer SUV. Regrettably, the recall affects 774,696 Explorers. For this particular recall, production years range from 2013-2017. Effectively, the ball joint on these Explorers has been determined to seize up. That’s a big issue. So much so that there have already been allegations of injuries spawning from this recall. Ford says that if drivers are experiencing “a clunk noise or unusual handling” owners should bring their vehicles in immediately.

Certain climates will affect F-350 trucks more

A red Ford F-Series truck plows its way through a rocky stream
2021 F-Series Super Duty | Ford

Now, about the F-350. Thankfully, the recall for these models is the smallest of the three we’ve discussed. Regrettably, it also happens to be on one of the brand’s more popular models. The F-350 recall is centered around the rear axle of the vehicle in this instance. Basically, the rear axle of any vehicle is what the wheels and brakes are attached to. Sounds pretty important, no? Moreover, harsh climates, both hot and cold can make the issue worse.

Obviously, it’s a little more complex than that, but thankfully that’s really all you need to know. Should you have the misfortune of being affected by this recall, you ought to be aware of a few things. First, clicking noises coming from the rear of a vehicle is a good sign something is up. Second, you’ll want to watch out for that “unusual handling” that Ford told Explorer owners to be on the lookout for. In summary, the welds on the rear axle could crack or fail, certainly not an ideal situation.

What to do if you think your vehicle is affected

The tan leather interior of a Ford F-350 truck
2021 F-Series Super Duty | Ford

Contact your local dealer immediately if you believe that your F-350, Aviator, or Explorer is a victim of one of the recalls. You’ll want to set up an appointment as soon as you can, as there have already been some injuries surrounding a few of these recalls. Thankfully, Ford has also said that they will be reaching out to affected owners starting August 16. Usually, recalls like this are taken care of by the dealer, free of charge, and should you be affected, we hope yours is too.

RELATED: The Ford Mustang Mach-E Just Set Another Record

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