Pickup trucks have become popular, and they come in handy when you’re hauling items around either for work or for your own personal pleasure. Some are heavy-duty and some are light, but both have their advantages. Getting the best used trucks can be difficult since there are so many out there to choose from. 

Kelley Blue Book took a lot of the guesswork out of it and shared their list of the best trucks to find in used condition. They go one step further, and they’ve included only ones that you could find for under $8,000. Let’s look at which ones will work well for towing, hauling, and overall universal projects.

Which used trucks are good for towing?

If you’re looking to get a good used pickup for towing large items, there are two on this list that are your best bet. The first one to consider is the 2004 Ford F-250. This truck has the capability of hauling over 14,000 lbs. 

The only drawback is the diesel engine, which launched that year for the F-250. It had too many problems right out of the gate. If you search this pickup, try to find one with a regular gasoline engine and avoid motor issues. 

The next best pickup for towing is, surprisingly, the 2004 Nissan Titan. This pickup is a light-duty truck, but it can handle as much as 10,000 lbs for towing weight. Powering it up is a 5.6-liter V8 engine that has more than enough gusto to tow some of the heaviest items. Some other model years, however, saw quite a few problems. 

It works great for a workhorse, but don’t expect much for interior features. Nissan kept it pretty simple on the inside. Also, Nissan used lower-quality materials when they produced it. Expect a lot of wear when checking out this used pickup. 

What are the best trucks for payload capacity?

Maybe towing isn’t a need of yours, but hauling items in the truck’s bed is. There are two trucks Kelley Blue Book added to the list that would meet that requirement. The first pickup that can handle a large amount of payload capacity is the 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500. 

The Chevy Silverado can haul 3,000 lbs in its bed with no problems. However, it’s not likely to be much of a looker, especially inside the cabin. These trucks are known for not standing up well to wear and tear. If you just need a workhorse, the Chevy Silverado 1500 will do just fine. 

Another perfect pickup for payload capacity is the 2010 Ford Ranger. This is a compact truck, but don’t let that fool you. It can handle a payload of over 1,300 lbs, which is more than enough to haul parts to a worksite. If you can find one with the FX4 package, you have it made. That will allow it to handle some of the rougher terrains you may come across. 

The best all-around used pickup

The most versatile used pickup has to be the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. This one’s a gem in many different ways. This Sierra comes with either a 6.0-liter V8 motor that produces 300 hp or an 8.1-liter V8 motor. You may also find one with a Duramax diesel engine. 

If you’re lucky, you might even get one that has the four-wheel steering option, which is a bit rare to find. This pickup offers plenty for work sites or just for play. With a 10,000-lb towing capacity, it can haul trailers with no problem. It can also handle 3,000 lbs of items in the truck’s bed. 

These are only five of the 10 used trucks Kelley Blue Book says you can find for under $8,000. No matter which one you may choose, you’ll know you can get your money’s worth out of it.