The truck industry has been ever approaching that cross-section between performance and comfort. As the pickup truck takes on new roles outside of brute performance strength, truck makers have been working towards making their products both powerful and comfortable. If you’re in the market for a truck that can haul your boat and transport your family in style, there’s never been a better time to shop.

Best Performance Trucks

If you’re wanting to go all out with your truck, then you’re probably most interested in raw power. If you do a lot of towing and hauling, then you need something reliable and strong. These trucks are known for their reliability and brute strength.

Ford F-150 Lariat

This truck is known for its ability to get the job done. A favorite of people who frequently haul large loads, the Ford F-150 Lariat can haul over 11,000 pounds when equipped properly. There are a lot of F-150s to choose from and buyers can customize traits like bed length and cab size. Even if you’re not a truck person, you’ve probably heard of the F-150 class of trucks, and that’s for a reason. They’re popular, not just because they’re well-advertised, but because they get the job done.

Ford F-150 Raptor

The Raptor packs 450 horsepower with 510 lb-ft of torque. If you want to get really wild, checkout F-150 Velociraptor, which has 600 horsepower. The Raptor can haul up to 8,000 lb’s. You can rely on the Raptor to get you through dirt, mud, sand, and just about the roughest roads you can drive.

Best Value Trucks

Looking for the truck that’s going to get you the most bang for your buck? The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice quality just to get a good deal. Aside from being generally expensive to purchase, trucks have a bit of a reputation as being gas-guzzlers, but plenty of vehicles are making strides to improve their mpg. The Ford F150 XLT gets and estimated 26mpg on the highway and that’s without ditching the turbocharged 2.7L engine or extreme hauling ability. Here are some other powerful trucks that aren’t going to bankrupt you.

2018 Nissan Frontier

If you’re looking for a good truck without a lot of frills, then a Nissan Frontier could be a good choice. It’s one of the cheapest compact pickup trucks but it still packs a punch in towing and hauling capacity. The Frontier offers pretty great comfort in its seating. If you’re looking for an even better deal, consider getting a Nissan from a few years ago as there have not been many significant changes to the model in recent years.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT

This versatile truck comes with a lot of different options. Customize everything from cabin size to bed length. The 2016 model has a 4.3L engine and can tow up to 12,000 pounds. Equipped with mobile, 4G LTE wi-fi, the Silverado is a steal for all its features.

Must haves for your new truck

In many situations, a truck is only going to be as useful to you as the accessories you add to it. Depending on what you bought your truck for, there are different things that should absolutely be occupying a permanent spot in your truck.

●Towing equipment

Odds are you got a truck because you see yourself pulling a trailer or camper behind it at some point. The last thing you want is to have to postpone your trip while someone runs to the nearest auto parts store to get the right hitches and a cold air intake. Be sure to double check the maximum hauling capacity of your truck before you hook anything up to it. You don’t want to ruin your suspension!

●Wire connectors

●Do you need a 4-way connector? A 7-way connector? Get the right connector ahead of time and keep it in your truck even on a trip where you think you won’t need it. You never know what situation might arise.

●Emergency supplies

Trucks are the vehicle of choice for long trips with friends or family. But no matter the model you buy, there’s always the chance you might find yourself stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck that could take hours to get to you. Be prepared for this with a small emergency kit that should have, at minimum, some blankets, a few bottles of water, and definitely some flares to mark your car’s location on the road should you break down in bad weather.

●Silicone

This is a vital truck supply; even the best trucks are subject to ware and tear. And nothing is more versatile than silicone sealant for those inopportune emergencies. Leaking gasket in the middle of a trip? Something come loose? Silicone sealant can do a fine job of repairing minor injuries to your truck and ensuring you get home safely. Keeping a few tubes of silicone sealant in your truck means you’re ready for most minor emergencies.