Full-Size Truck Roundup

Full-size trucks are still one of the most popular new vehicle segments on the market, with these versatile automobiles providing excellent towing and hauling capabilities along with refined interior accommodations and road manners that make them viable daily drivers. Perhaps no other class of vehicle provides such a dazzling array of configurations and options, which can make choosing a new full-size truck a confusing task.

Let’s take a look at the full-size trucks currently available on the market and summarize what they have to offer those currently shopping for one of these practical vehicles.

01. 2011 Ford F-150

The 2011 F-150 gains a fresh stable of engines for the current model year, thoroughly updating the best-selling pickup’s drivetrain options. Front and center is the EcoBoost V-6 that makes use of twin turbochargers to derive 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque from its 3.5-liters of displacement. Also available is a 5.0-liter V-8 (360 horses and 380 lb-ft feet) as well as a 6.2-liter V-8 (411 horsepower and 420 lb-ft) and an entry-level, 302 horsepower 3.7-liter V-6. All engines are matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and can be ordered with four-wheel drive.

The 2011 Ford F-150 comes in Regular, SuperCrew and SuperCab body styles, with the latter two offering room for up to six passengers. The truck can tow as much as 11,300 lbs, and it offers three different bed lengths: 5.5-feet, 6.5-feet and 8-feet.

02. 2011 Ram 1500

The 2011 RAM 1500 (which is more commonly known as the Dodge Ram) differs from other full-size pickups in a few important aspects. The vehicle comes with a coil spring rear suspension instead of a traditional leaf spring design, which dramatically improves ride comfort when the vehicle is unloaded without sacrificing towing capacity (10,250 lbs max). The Ram 1500 can also be ordered with the RamBox storage system which provides lockable cargo compartments within the truck’s rear fender rails.

The 2011 Ram 1500 comes in Regular, Crew and Quad Cab editions that provide between three and six passenger capacity. Bed lengths are restricted to 6-feet, 4-inches; 5-feet, 7-inches; or 8-feet in total. The Ram 1500 starts out with a 215 horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 that also generates 235 lb-ft of torque and is shifted through a four-speed automatic. Next up is a 310 horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8 followed by a 5.7-liter HEMI eight-cylinder engine that provides 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque. Each of these engines makes use of a five-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive is also available as an option with the Ram.

03. 2011 Nissan Titan

The 2011 Nissan Titan is the oldest pickup design currently plying the full-size market. That being said, it does offer up some impressive utility for truck buyers. The Nissan Titan comes only in King or Crew Cab body styles, each of which provides additional passenger seating in the rear (with the Crew Cab including a second set of full-size doors). Bed lengths come in three sizes: 5-foot, 7-inches; 6-foot, 6-inches; or 7-foot, 3-inches.

The 2011 Nissan Titan offers a single engine choice under its hood, a 5.6-liter V-8 unit that is good for 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission sends that output to either the rear or all four wheels should four-wheel drive be selected as an option. The pickup is capable of towing up to 9,500 lbs.

04. 2011 Toyota Tundra

Like most of its competitors, the 2011 Toyota Tundra offers Regular, Double Cab and CrewMax editions, each improving the vehicle’s passenger capacity and ease of access. Cargo bed lengths include 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot and 8-foot options, and the Tundra can tow up to 10,400 lbs when properly equipped.

The 2011 Toyota Tundra starts out with a 4.0-liter V-6 as its entry-level engine, and this motor is good for 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, matched with a five-speed automatic transmission. A pair of V-8 engines are also on offer: a 4.6-liter unit (310 horses, 327 lb-ft of torque) and an advanced i-Force 5.7-liter motor (389 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque). Each comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission and all three engines can be mated to an optional four-wheel drive system.

05. 2011 Chevrolet Silverado

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado also sports an older design, but it still provides power and utility on par with the market leaders thanks to a continual series of evolutionary upgrades that have been made to its chassis and running gear. Found in regular cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab editions, with respective improvements in passenger room for each, the Silverado can be had with bed lengths measuring 5-feet, 8-inches; 6-feet, 5-inches; or 8-feet in total. The Chevrolet Silverado is capable of towing as much as 10,700 lbs.

There are numerous engine options available with the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, including an entry-level V-6 (4.3-liters, 195 horsepower), a more potent small V-8 (4.8-liters, 302 horsepower) and an efficient 5.3-liter, eight-cylinder unit (315 horsepower). The mightiest Silverado motor is an optional 6.2-liter V-8 that grinds out 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices include a mix of four- and six-speed automatics, and four-wheel drive can also be ordered with the Silverado.

06. 2011 GMC Sierra

The 2011 GMC Sierra is a platform twin to the Chevrolet Silverado, which means that in terms of engine choices, towing capacity, body styles and bed lengths it is essentially identical to its corporate cousin. Major differences are found with regards to exterior styling and trim level features – in particular the Denali luxury edition, a model which piles on the premium features and which includes the Silverado’s 6.2-liter V-8 engine as standard equipment. The Denali also comes with a unique all-wheel drive system that is not available on any other version of the Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck.