“The driver’s cabin looks like it’s out of a car and not a van, the dash and seats are much more sophisticated than any work van I have seen.”
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“The new Nissan Titan offers a roomy interior that rivals the other popular full-size trucks on the market today.”

Truck lovers could fill an afternoon running a careful eye over the new trucks at the Vancouver auto show.

Here are my five picks for special attention:

2015 Chevrolet Colorado

The all-new design is turning heads all across Canada. This mid-size truck fills a void here. Still expected to work as hard as a full-size truck, the Colorado can tow more than 3,039 kilograms (6700 lbs) a 2.5L I-4 engine is standard with an optional 3.6L V6 with a six speed automatic transmission. This truck includes all the modern day technologies including 4g LTE hotspot with WI-FI connection through OnStar, which provides service for seven devices.

Base price: $21,695.

2015 Ford F150

The combination of a body made of aluminum body and high strength steel in its frame make this truck up to 317 KG (700 lbs) lighter. This truck was inspired by Ford’s concept vehicle, the Atlas. It has 11 new class-exclusive features, including 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and side view mirror spotlights, and remote tailgate release. There are four engine choices, the 3.5L Ti-VCT V6, 2.7L EcoBoost, 5.0 Ti-VCT V8, and the 3.5L EcoBoost.

The 3.7L V6 delivers 282 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque. The 2.7L V6 has 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0 V8 has 385 horsepower with 387 lb-ft of torque and the 3.5L V6 is pushing 282 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque. These are all capable engines depending on your requirements.

Base price: $24,899

2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

It is the only light duty diesel available here. It has a 3.0 L V6 Diesel engine with a torqueflite eight speed transmission. Not only will it give you 420-pound feet of torque and plenty of towing capabilities, it will also reduce CO2 emissions and runs on B20 Biodiesel. Many trims are available from work-truck-ready to full luxury. This truck has something for every buyer.

Base price: $31,140

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali

It is a beast. This truck is built to pull with 10,251 KG (22,600 lbs) of trailer towing capacity. The 6.6L V8 turbo engine delivers 397 hp and 765 lb ft of torque and is paired with a 1000 series Allison transmission. With interior upgrades such as triple door seals, hydraulic powertrain and body mounts, 12 way power adjustable bucket seats, heated leather wrapped steering wheel and a Bose sound system you can operate this beast and still feel comfortable doing so.

Base price: $67,305

2015 Nissan Titan

This Titan can tow up to 4309 kg (9,500lbs) thanks to 385 lb-ft of torque from its 5.6 L DOHC 32 valve V8 engine producing 317 hp at 5,200 rpm.

If off-road driving is part of your plans then the Titan is ready. With the Prox-4x package you get heavy duty skid plates protect the oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case and lower radiator. The 4WD system utilizes a shift on the fly two-speed transfer case, which allows you to 4WD at a moment’s notice. Low range can be selected when the terrain requires it. The electronic locking rear differential is ready at a flip of a switch giving much need traction on slippery surfaces. Rancho performance shocks are available with the off-road package. The new Nissan Titan offers a roomy interior that rivals the other popular full-size trucks on the market today.

Base price: $40,498

Contact: ian [dot] harwood [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

“RAM has seen huge sales growth over the last few years due to constant improvements instead of waiting years to update its rigs.”
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What are my favourite trucks? – It’s a question readers ask me all the time in the supermarket and on the street.

Though not in order of preference, here are my ten choices.

2014 GMC/Chevy Silverado/Sierra

The half-ton pickup has gone through some monumental changes this year. What an improvement with a very comfortable and refined interior on all trim levels, and three engine choices, the Eco Tec 4.3-litre V6, 5.3-litre V8, and a 6.2-litre V8.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Very similar in design to its big brother the Silverado, this midsize truck fills a void in Canada. Still expected to work as hard as a full-size truck, the Colorado can tow more than 3,039 kilograms (6700 lbs) a 2.5L I-4 engine is standard with an optional 3.6L V6 with a six speed automatic transmission.

2015 GMC 3500HD

Denali is a beast. This truck is built to pull and with 10,251 KG (22,600 lbs) of trailer towing capacity it does just that. The 6.6L V8 turbo engine delivers 397 hp and 765 lb ft of torque and is paired with a 1000 series Allison transmission. With interior upgrades such as 12-way power adjustable bucket seats, heated leather wrapped steering wheel and a Bose sound system you can operate it in comfort.

2014 Ford F150 Ecoboost

With more than 100,000 Eco Boost engines being produced monthly, you can bet a majority of these engines are finding their way into the 2014 F150 pickup. It holds the record in Canada for highest pickup sales, and at 12.9/9.0 L/100 km (city/highway) it keeps the money in your wallet a little longer.

The 2014 Ford Raptor is still one of my favorite off-road vehicles. It has electronic locking rear differential, shift on the fly 4 wheel drive, advance trac with roll stability control, and trailer sway control. Front and rear mounted cameras to add a second pair of eyes to the terrain around you and a 6.2-litre V8 engine to help you get up and over that hill.

2015 Ford F150

All new design features and a completely aluminum body and high strength steel in its frame make this truck up to 317 KG (700 lbs) lighter. It has 11 new class-exclusive features, including 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and side-view mirror spotlights, and remote tailgate release.

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

This is a much-anticipated truck from Ram With a 3.0-litre V6 Diesel engine with a torqueflite eight-speed transmission. Not only will the Ram EcoDiesel give you 420-pound feet of torque and plenty of towing capabilities, it will also reduce co2 emissions and run on B20 Biodiesel. It’s a game changer.

2014 Ram 3500

The largest and most capable pickup Ram has to offer. Alterations to the frame including eight separate cross members, hydro formed frame rails and high strength steel add up to a truck that is capable of towing of towing up to 13,607kg (30,000lb). A 6.7l Cummins turbo diesel engine delivers 385 hp and 850 lb ft of torque.

2014 Toyota Tundra

New body style this year, impressive hood and fender design. The western themed 1794 Edition commemorates the founding year of a Texas ranch where the Tundra plant is situated. This interior is covered with Saddle tan brown leather seats and rich maple wood grain panels throughout. It is powered by a 4.6-litre or a 5.7-litre engine.

Can it compete with the big boys? This is the year to see.

2014 Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma has continued to increase popularity and is a very agile four-wheeler. The double cab gives plenty of room for all your buddies and the 4.0-litre V6 engine can get you to your favorite fishing hole and back. With the addition of some modern day technology such as Backup camera, heated seats, 6 airbags, and a power invertor, this truck has everything I am looking for in a pickup.

Contact: ian [dot] harwood [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

A subtle change to the revamped 2010 Dodge RAM Heavy Duty (HD) pickup was the almost complete absence of the Dodge nameplate.

There was a time when Dodge was embossed in huge letters across the tailgate and it would soon disappear completely, as “RAM” became dominant.

The Crew Cab body was a new addition to the HD truck line of RAM, which was also offered in Regular Cab and Mega Cab body styles and in five trim levels; ST, SXT, SLT, TRX and LaRAMie. The cab choices could also be matched to 1.9 m (6-ft, 4-inch) or 2.4 m (8 ft) cargo boxes with three matching wheelbases plus a huge selection of stand-alone options.

Another important 2010 change was the re-introduction of the renowned Cummings Diesel engine option. The addition of particulate scrubbing emission equipment had made the big in-line turbo diesel legal once again in both the US and Canada. This engine offers phenomenal pulling power in addition to fuel-economy and a longer driving range benefits.

The 2010 RAM HD also joined GM and Ford in offering an integrated trailer hitch and a trailer brake controller. A nice added feature is that the brake action appears on the instrument panel as a bar graph. This makes it easier for a driver to monitor and adjust controller settings.

The 2010’s towing and hauling capability numbers are also up and rated to pull up to 7,983 kg (17,600 lb) and it carries 2,336 kg (5,150 lb) of payload, depending on how it’s equipped. The front axle load carrying ability of 4WD models had also been increased to 2,495 kg (5,500 lb), which meant you could attach an even bigger snowplow.

The standard engine is a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 that can supply 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The optional 6.7-litre Cummins inline six-cylinder Turbo Diesel can supply 350 horsepower and a whopping 650 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated with either a six-speed manual (with an ultra-low first gear) or six-speed automatic with a feature that allows the driver to manually limit its highest gear and a tow/haul mode.

The Cummings is a truck diesel that makes customary diesel engine noses, so it’s far from quiet, especially when you start it up cold. The clatter isn’t so bad when you’re inside the cab, with the windows up, but your neighbours may not appreciate the early morning din. And when you get up to cruising speed on the highway, it’s barely noticeable.

Other new features available on RAM HD include an electric shift-on-the-fly 4×4 transfer case, a back-up camera that makes trailer hook-ups easier and a monitor that provides a variety of vehicle information. The cab rides on a new C-pillar positioned hydraulic body mounts and there were suspension upgrades plus larger front axle U-joints.

Changes for 2011 were minimal, but did include a tire pressure monitoring system and the LaRAMie trim got standard trailer brake control. In 2012, the HD got a six-speed automatic transmission and a RAMBox storage system was expanded to the 6-foot-4 bed. The base engine’s towing capability was also increased by 2,000 lbs, thanks to a new 4.10 ratio rear end.

Big, brash and brawny, the revamped heavy-duty (Dodge) RAM 2500/3500 was reunited with a cleaner, yet more powerful, Cummings Diesel… a match made in truck heaven.

Price Check – 2010 – 2012 Dodge RAM 2500 (November 2013)

Year                    Edition                                                 Expect to Pay Today

2010                  SLT 4×4                                                     $24,000 to $28,000

2011                  SLT 4×4                                                     $29,000 to $34,000

2012                  SLT 4×4                                                     $35,000 to $40,000

Prices vary depending on a used vehicle’s condition, mileage, usage and history. A complete mechanical check should always be performed by a reliable auto technician prior to purchase.

*Recalls on the 2010 to 2012 Dodge RAM:

2009/2010 – The brake booster input rod may have been installed without a retaining clip and could separate from the assembly, which would lead to a loss of brakes. Dealers will install or replace the retaining clips.

2010 – Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may have a faulty Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) module that may allow the ignition key to be removed prior to placing the shifter in PARK. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the WIN module.

2010 – An improperly formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit brake tube assembly end-flare that could lead to a loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance. Dealers will replace the suspect brake tubes.

2010 – In vehicles equipped with the diesel engine and the hydroboost brake system, the power steering reservoir cap may have excessive vent pressure levels, which could result in a brake pedal that is slow to return once depressed. Dealers will replace the power steering reservoir cap.

2008 to 2011 – On certain RAM 2500 and 3500 4×4, RAM 3500 cab chassis 4×2 and 4×4, and 2008 RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4×4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fracture. This condition tends to occur when making a tight turn during low speed parking lot type maneuvers. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the left outer tie rod end.

2009/2010 -–The rear axle pinion nut could loosen and allow the rear driveshaft to detach from the axle, or fully detach from the vehicle. Dealers will install a pinion nut retainer.

Email: bob [dot] mchugh [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

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