Three Ford Trucks to Buy Used That’ll Get the Job Done

If you need a new ride that isn’t afraid to put in a hard day’s work while still providing plenty of value, it might be time to consider a pre-owned pickup. From towing and hauling to transporting your crew, grabbing another truck from a used car dealer near Kingston could prove to be an invaluable addition to the team.

Modern pickups represent a logical investment when compared to many other pre-owned vehicles. While your average car would be lucky to hit the 200,000-mile mark, today’s trucks are built of sterner stuff. Professional-grade components, body-on-frame construction, and robust suspension systems allow used trucks to stay on the road (and on the clock) for much longer than you might expect.

With proper maintenance, it’s not unusual for a pickup to exceed 200,000 miles, with many even seeing the odometer hit 300,000. Models equipped with diesel engines have even been known to travel up to 500,000 miles over their service life, which is a great example of why drivers should do ample research before setting out to purchase their next pickup.

That’s why we’ve compiled a short list detailing some of the top used trucks for towing, hauling, and weekend projects, ranging from a versatile midsize model to America’s best-selling vehicle to a heavy-duty truck that can move mountains with more than 20,000 lbs of towing capacity.

13th-Gen F-150 (2015-2020)

You’ll never run short of superlatives when describing the Ford F-150. The iconic F-150 is not only the industry’s best-selling full-size pickup, it’s also the best-selling truck in general, beating out all others to top the sales charts for over 40 years.

A staple of job sites and home improvement stores, highways, and off-the-grid locales across the Hudson Valley, the F-150’s legendary performance speaks for itself. Simply put, it’s the bar by which all other full-size trucks are measured, offering class-leading towing capacity and the sort of heavy-duty construction that has long made Ford a leader in the competitive segment.

While it might be difficult to source some older 13th-gen F-150s, there are still plenty of models produced toward the end of this run that hit the sweet spot between affordability and modern tech. The 2018 model saw a notable upgrade in the form of a refreshed engine lineup equipped with fuel-saving stop/start technology, which means the F-150 is a little less likely to interrupt your workday with an extra trip to a gas station.

Adaptive cruise control also entered the picture in 2018, which could prove useful when you’re navigating a long haul, but it was the addition of a new diesel engine in 2019 that really upped the F-150’s resume. Producing 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, the 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V6 allows Kingston drivers to pull as much as 11,500 lbs-but the 13th-gen F-150 is just getting started.

Ford’s flagship pickup had no less than six available engine options for 2020, ranging from the diesel and the base 3.3-liter V6 to a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 and a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that topped the torque charts with 510 lb-ft of raw twisting force. While that roster would be more than enough for most trucks, the F-150 isn’t most trucks. A 5.0-liter V8 provides an impressive 3,270 lbs of payload capacity.

To achieve those sorts of numbers, drivers will have to keep an eye out for a pre-owned 13th-gen F-150 that’s equipped with the Regular Cab, eight-foot bed, and Heavy-Duty Payload Package; however, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 isn’t too far behind at 3,230 lbs if you want to broaden your search. The EcoBoost V6 not only keeps pace with the 5.0-liter V8 as far as payload is concerned, but it also tops the lineup (and the rest of the full-size segment) in terms of towing capacity, at 13,200 lbs.

Fourth-Gen F-250 (2017-2022)

When it comes to completing the toughest towing and hauling tasks, you need to call in the big guns. Ford’s Super Duty series includes a range of heavy-duty pickups that are designed to meet the demands of the working world. Trusted by ranchers, contractors, tradesmen, and the like, the Ford F-250 can commonly be found towing massive livestock trailers, heavy equipment, or hulking campers that would put some one-bedroom apartments to shame.

The F-250’s intense power comes courtesy of a 6.2-liter V8 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A base engine with 15,800 lbs of maximum towing capacity deserves a place in the spotlight, but it’s still no match for the F-250’s other offerings.

The 7.3-liter V8 is here to leave a path of destruction-or to aid in a little construction-with 19,600 lbs of maximum towing capacity. Ford also swaps the six-speed automatic transmission for a ten-speed version; those extra four gears make a world of difference when trying to tow or haul, allowing the engine to stay within its prime power range to reduce the stress on vital components and maximize the truck’s fuel economy when you’re cruising through Kingston on I-87.

That beastly powertrain is a compelling option when you’re on the clock, but every hardworking driver knows that you simply can’t beat a diesel when it’s time to tow. The F-250’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 gains two cylinders over the diesel found in the F-150-and when you factor in the truck’s heavy-duty construction and advanced towing tech, it’s not difficult to believe that the F-250 can pull as much as 22,800 lbs when utilizing a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch.

Those stats make the F-250 the best towing rig in the heavy-duty segment, but that probably comes as little surprise to those who are familiar with Ford’s performance credentials. The F-250’s fully boxed, high-strength steel frame serves as a solid backbone, while a military-grade aluminium alloy body provides a lightweight alternative to the traditional design.

By shedding a few pounds from the body, Ford is able to load the F-250 with professional-grade tech like the Trailer Tow Package’s auxiliary transmission oil cooler and engine oil cooler. These components keep things from getting too toasty when the truck is pulling a heavy load. The Trailer Tow Package also includes a Class V trailer hitch receiver, a four- and seven-pin wiring harness, and a Trailer Sway Control feature that can pay dividends when dealing with some ungainly cargo.

This heavy-duty pickup can also control and monitor various trailer functions thanks to a trailer brake controller and a trailer tire pressure monitoring system. The truck’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance make it a lot easier to perform a tricky trailer connection, employing rear-facing cameras, guidance lines, and even a knob mounted on the dashboard that can be used to precisely maneuver the pickup into place.

Fourth-Gen Ranger (2019-2023)

Ford’s midsize Ranger was sorely missed during its eight-year hiatus, but it burst back onto the scene in 2019 to give drivers an enticing new option that delivers a well-rounded ride while providing plenty of utility. Ford introduced an all-new version of the reliable Ranger in 2024 with the release of the fifth-generation model, but there are still plenty of fourth-gen models on the market if you want to enjoy that legendary Ford performance without breaking the bank.

The fourth-gen Ranger is powered by Ford’s advanced EcoBoost engine. By leveraging the power of forced induction, Ford has managed to make a 2.3-liter four-cylinder mill punch well above its weight, with a turbocharger that sees the engine achieve up to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers combine to give the midsize Ranger 7,500 lbs of maximum towing capacity and up to 1,905 lbs of payload, which easily places this pickup at the top of its class.

The Ranger easily outpaces rival models from Jeep and Toyota, and it’s a massive improvement over the paltry pulling power of the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz (each maxing at 5,000 lbs). Of course, pure power isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to pickup performance; the fourth-gen Ranger also offers up to 8.4 inches of ground clearance for the RWD model and as much as 8.9 inches when opting for 4WD.

That sort of elevation is sure to come in handy when you’re trying to clear obstacles or tackle uneven terrain during your next project, but it’s not the only feature that makes the Ranger such a standout. The truck also comes with a Terrain Management System (TMS) that offers selectable drive modes for various road conditions, including gravel, mud, sand, and even a snow setting that should be particularly helpful when winter weather hits Kingston.

In addition to helping the pickup power through even the gnarliest job site, the TMS can also come in handy after quitting time, turning the dependable midsize Ranger into a ready-made adventure rig ready to blaze a new path through your local off-road trails.

We Work Overtime to Find You the Perfect Pickup

If you’re the type of buyer who values affordability and practicality, but you’re in need of a vehicle that can deal with tight deadlines, Ruge’s Ford has you covered. We offer a generous array of pre-owned pickups to choose from-and while we specialize in used Ford models, we also stock a wide selection of work-ready pickups from some of the industry’s other top brands.

Whether you want a reliable daily driver like the Ford Ranger, need a formidable heavy-duty pickup like the F-250, or want to learn why the F-150 has long been the country’s best-selling truck, there’s something for every Kingston driver here at Ruge’s Ford. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to finding your next MVP, but our experienced sales team can help narrow down the options, outline their unique advantages, and ensure you stay on schedule and on budget as you power through the work week in your future ride.

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