Test Your Knowledge With These Questions Every Truck Owner Should Know

By: Dave Davis
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Test Your Knowledge With These Questions Every Truck Owner Should Know
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Pickup truck owners are a different breed of driver. Not content to simply get themselves from place to place, they want to be able to move cargo — in some cases a massive amount of cargo — with them. On average, they are considered by most to be more capable and handier than their car-only counterparts on the road. Are you a pickup driver, or do you aspire to be one? Prove you belong in the ranks of pickup owners by showing what you know about this vehicle class on our quiz!

It didn't take long for the pickup to be developed — vehicles that offered the drivability of a car and the carrying capacity of a truck showed their value on the front in World War I — but it's only in recent years that the pickup came into its own in popularity. The best-selling vehicle in the U.S. today is, in fact, a truck. (Do you know which one? It might be coming up in a question soon.)

There's an old joke that one of the features that come standard with any pickup is a supply of friends wanting your help to move things, but the truth is a real pickup driver doesn't mind. They are more than willing to put their truck to use; if they didn't want to, they would have just settled for a car. 

So, are you pickup truck material? We're about to find out, so open up the tailgate, load it up with answers and let's see if you can pull your weight — and then some — on this quiz about this beloved vehicle!

driver
Unsplash by Tarutoa
What should new pickup drivers keep in mind when first getting behind the wheel of their truck?
They need to be mindful of height requirements on overpasses.
They need to change the oil in the engine more often.
They are driving a much heavier vehicle than they are probably used to.
They have to decide which reverse gear to use when backing up.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On average, a pickup truck can weigh almost 2,000 pounds more than a standard car, and that mass needs to be taken into account when driving, as it affects acceleration, braking and handling. It's a big vehicle; make sure you give it the respect it deserves.

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Tacoma
Wikimedia Commons by Alexander Migl
The Tundra and Tacoma are trucks built by which manufacturer?
Toyota
Honda
Nissan
Kia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tacoma, introduced in 1995 and the larger Tundra, released in 2000, are the pickup trucks currently offered by Toyota. The Tacoma is currently one of the best-selling trucks in the U.S. market, averaging more than 20,000 sold each month in 2018 and 2019.

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coal
Wikimedia Commons by Bull-Doser
What is "rolling coal" when it comes to pickup trucks?
Rigging the truck to emit large black clouds of fumes
Modifying the truck to run on either gas or diesel fuel
Painting a truck completely black
Putting dark tint on the windows
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Rolling coal" is the practice of modifying a pickup truck's diesel engine to belch huge clouds of black smoke from the vehicle's exhaust system. This is often done to protest "rampant environmentalism," and it certainly makes the vehicle no friend to the environment.

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Titan
Wikimedia Commons by Jeremy
The Frontier and Titan are trucks made by which automaker?
Mitsubishi
Honda
Nissan
Dodge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the Japanese automaker is credited with making the first compact truck — the Datsun 1200, released in 1960 — Nissan currently makes mid-sized and full-sized pickups in the Frontier and Titan, respectively. The Frontier, also called the Navara in different markets, started production in 1997, and the Titan first hit the streets in 2003.

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Silverado 2500
Wikimedia Commons by IFCAR
The Ford F-250, Ram 2500 and Silverado/Sierra 2500 are examples of what type of pickup?
Half-ton
Three-quarter-ton
One ton
Two ton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The three-quarter-ton pickup truck, which is classified by the U.S. government as a "Class 2" vehicle, generally weighs about 6,000 pounds empty, can carry a payload of between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds and hauls about 13,000 pounds.

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Ford F-100 1961
Wiki Commons by dave_7
Which of these is the best-selling pickup truck of all time in the U.S. market?
Toyota Tundra
Chevrolet C/K series
Ford F-Series
Ram 1500
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford F-Series (of which the F-150, F-250 and F-350 are all a part of) is not only the best-selling pickup truck line of all time, but the F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for decades. In 2017, there was a record of 896,764 F-Series trucks sold.

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Ranchero
Wikimedia Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
It's a car! It's a truck! Which of these manufacturers produced the Ranchero?
Chevrolet
Ford
Dodge
GMC
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Ranchero was classified as a "couple utility," and lived up to the name. Built on a two-door station wagon frame, the passenger cabin was all car, and the bed behind it was all pickup. Produced from 1957 to 1979, the Ranchero inspired what would be an even more famous car, the Chevrolet El Camino, in 1959.

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HDF150
Wikipedia Commons by IFCAR
Which of these companies partnered with Ford to create a special model of the F-Series truck?
Coca-Cola
Harley-Davidson
Lucasfilm
McDonald's
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2000, motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson partnered with Ford to create a special edition line of the F-Series (the F-150 in 2000 and the F-250/350 in 2004). These vehicles were clad in black trim, had an augmented engine and offered leather on the seats usually reserved for HD biker jackets. The line ran until 2011.

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Chasis
Wikimedia Commons by Mj-bird
What is a "chassis cab" when it comes to pickup trucks?
A truck without a bed installed
A truck made for taxi-cab use
A truck modified for extreme towing capabilities
A truck with room for eight adults in the cabin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "chassis cab" pickup is a truck that has a full cabin but only rails behind where the bed usually is found. This type of vehicle allows the user to modify the vehicle for various uses and is usually a larger pickup (three-quarter-ton or larger).

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Ram 3500
Wikimedia Commons by Bull-Doser
The Ram 3500, Silverado/Sierra 3500 and the Ford F-350/450 are all examples of which type of pickup?
Half-ton
Three-quarter-ton
One ton
Two ton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you need to move some heavy things from place to place, the one-ton truck is the truck for you. They generally weigh more than 6,000 pounds empty, can carry their own weight in the bed, and modern versions can pull more than 30,000 pounds.

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Silverado 1500
Wikimedia Commons by Bull-Doser
The Chevy Silverado 1500, the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500 are all examples of what type of truck?
Half-ton
Three-quarter-ton
One ton
Two ton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Light-duty pickup trucks are the most common type of vehicle sold in this sector, with most having a payload capacity of between 1,500 and 3,000 — more than enough for most uses people have for their truck.

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Avalanche
Wikimedia Commons by Bull-Doser
What do a sports utility truck and a crew cab truck have in common?
The size of the engine
The number of doors
The length of the bed
The height of the vehicle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are differences between standard pickup trucks with crew cabs and sports utility trucks (SUTs), but the one thing they have in common is the number of doors — four, to be precise. While the SUT — examples include the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Hummer H2 — might have fallen out of favor, some experts believe the category might be primed for a comeback in the near future.

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Model TT
Wikimedia Commons by Lars-Göran Lindgren
Which company made the first production pickup truck?
Chevrolet
Ford
International Harvester
Buick
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although pickup trucks were developed and used in World War I, many consider the first production pickup truck to be made available to the general public was the Ford Model TT, developed in 1917. A year later, Chevrolet introduced its own pickup, the Model 490.

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uturn
Pixabay by Gerd Altmann
What is the difference in the turning radius of a pickup truck and a car?
They are about equal.
The pickup requires less space when turning.
It depends on the model of the pickup truck.
The pickup requires more space when turning.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pickup trucks can do a great many things a car cannot, but turning on a dime is not one of them. If you're used to driving a smaller, more responsive car, make sure you give yourself some extra room when making tight turns. Maneuvers you take for granted in a car require a little more thought in a pickup.

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Li'l red truck
Wikimedia Commons by Mr.choppers
Which automaker produced the iconic "Li'l Red Express"?
Chevrolet
Ford
Volkswagen
Dodge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Li'l Red Express was a variant of the third generation D series developed by Dodge. In addition to its bright red paint job and exterior package, it also had a 360-cubic-inch four-barrel V8, making it one of the fastest production vehicles at the time. Produced from 1978 to 1979, the Li'l Red Express was not available in certain states because of their noise restriction laws.

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taillight
Pixabay by olafpictures
Which of these is a bigger challenge to people not used to driving pickup trucks?
Making right-hand turns
Getting up to highway speed
Backing up
Shifting gears
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because it's longer, a pickup truck's body is fundamentally different from a standard car (unless you're used to driving a 1977 Lincoln Continental; if you are, it's actually not that different). The front of the truck isn't that much different than a car's, but make sure you know where your back fenders are when backing up.

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Chevy C/K
Wikimedia Commons by Bull-Doser
In what year did the venerable Chevrolet C/K truck first hit the streets?
1933
1942
1949
1959
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevrolet C/K series first hit showroom floors in 1959 for the 1960 model year and was updated several times during its lifecycle. The C/K series was replaced by the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models in 1999 (previously, the Silverado and Sierra were trim levels of the C/K line).

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uglytruck
Pixabay by Momentmal
July 20 is what special day for many pickup owners?
National Hug a Truck Day
National Ugly Truck Day
National Truck Aftermarket Day
National Hauling Day
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you use your truck for what it was made to do, you're going to get some scratches, dings, dents, gouges and other "beauty" marks. On July 20, truck owners of well-used, well-loved trucks are encouraged to honor their automotive pal, and maybe enter it in a contest and get some accolades!

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Dodge Warlock
Wikimedia Commons by dave_7
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the Dodge Warlock are examples of what type of vehicle?
Convertible trucks
Racing trucks
Muscle trucks
Heavy-cargo haulers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although not as popular as their muscle car cousins, there are a few examples of a pickup truck that more muscle under the hood that you might expect for a vehicle its size. The F-150 SVT Raptor and the Dodge Ram 1500 Warlock are members of this sector of the pickup market.

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Hauling
Unsplash by Brooke Cagle
What is the approximate towing capacity of a light-duty pickup truck?
About 1,000 pounds
About 12,000 pounds
About 18,000 pounds
About 25,000 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A typical light-duty pickup can tow about 12,000 pounds, which is plenty for most people. If you need to tow more regularly, look at a medium- or heavy-duty truck or renting one for occasional jobs. Your light-duty transmission will thank you!

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Chevy C/K
Wikimedia Commons by Bull-Doser
What does the "C/K" denote in the Chevrolet C/K truck line?
Gas engine versus diesel engine
Crew cab versus king cab
Trim level
Two-wheel versus four-wheel drive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevrolet (and GMC) C/K pickups were equipped with either two-wheel drive (the "C" models) or four-wheel drive (the "K" models). There were many trim levels offered over the years, including CST, Cheyenne, Super Custom, Sierra Grande, Sierra and Silverado.

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Rearview
Unsplash by Oliur
New truck owners should watch out for which hazard when getting used to driving their vehicle?
Blind spots
Low center of gravity
Excessive speed
Friends needing help moving heavy things
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Moving from driving a car to a pickup truck is not as difficult as it used to be; thanks to advancements in power steering and other tech, modern vehicles handle similarly now. Nevertheless, being mindful of a different type of blind spot is essential for safe driving. Also, you can always say "no" when people want you to move heavy objects.

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NASCAR
Wikimedia Commons by Justin Leedy
In what year did NASCAR start its truck series?
1958
1974
1988
1995
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rising popularity of pickup trucks prompted NASCAR to add a truck series because people love to see their make of vehicle compete on the track. Started in 1995, the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, as it's known today, fields entries from Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota and more.

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Dealership
Pixabay by Toby Parsons
Which company announced that, except for a certain popular model, it would cease making passenger cars for the U.S. market, focusing on trucks and SUVs?
Chevrolet
Toyota
Dodge
Ford
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Citing the falling demand of passenger cars and the rising demand for pickup trucks and SUVs, Ford announced in 2018 that it would shift its production focus toward the larger vehicles, leaving only the Mustang in the lineup as the only true passenger cars beginning in the 2020 model year.

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nitemareN
Brown Lee Ford via YouTube
In 2019, how long did it take the world's fastest production truck go from 0 to 60?
2.1 seconds
3.9 seconds
4.8 seconds
7.9 seconds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In February 2019, a Roush-tuned Ford F-150, dubbed the Roush F-150 Nitemare, posted a 0-to-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, believed to be the fastest-to-date speed of such a test. The two-door truck had a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that put out 650 horsepower.

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Old Ford
Pixabay by Lee Travathan
How many generations of the F-Series truck have been made since its introduction in 1948?
Three
Five
Nine
13
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ford's best-selling pickup line has had a lot of facelifts and overhauls over its long career. The 13th generation hit the streets in 2015 and was made 750 pounds lighter than the previous generation. The 14th generation is expected to appear in showrooms for the 2021 model year.

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Crew cab
Wikimedia Commons by Navigator84
Which automaker introduced the concept of a "crew cab"?
Ford
Chevrolet
International Harvester
Jeep
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Travelette, built in 1957 by International Harvester, has the distinction of being the first mass-produced pickup truck with more than one row of seats; it had two, which would seat six. In 1961, the Travelette was built with four doors (earlier models only offered three).

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Rivian
Wikimedia Commons by Richard Truesdell
Which of these companies is developing the first modern electric pickup?
Volkswagen
Ford
Rivian
Volvo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Expected to hit the street in the 2021 model year, the Rivian R1T will be the first modern all-electric pickup truck to be available on the consumer market. The all-wheel-drive vehicle should be able to travel 400 miles on a single charge and can tow more than 11,000 pounds.

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Old pickup
Pexels by Renato Abati
How many consumer pickup trucks were manufactured in the U.S. in 1944?
1.5 million
250,000
50,000
0
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The production might of the U.S. was put into full use in World War II, with factories making planes, tanks and other weapons and vehicles for the war effort. The U.S. government suspended all production for civilian trucks during this time.

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technical
Pixabay by ArtTower
When it comes to pickup trucks, what does the term "technical" mean?
A pickup rigged for fighting
Laws that refer to trucks and not cars
The trim level of the vehicle
How much weight the vehicle can pull
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "technical" refers to a civilian pickup that has a heavy weapon (machine gun, an anti-tank weapon, etc.) mounted in the bed. The term is believed to have originated in Somalia during that country's civil war, where "technical assistance grants" were used to convert civilian trucks into military vehicles.

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G1
Wikimedia Commons by Joyofmuseums
Which of these trucks was the first pickup made by Toyota?
The G1
The A1
The Stout
The Tacoma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Toyota developed its first pickup truck, the G1, in 1935, just a few months after developing its first car, the A1. The Stout was the first Toyota pickup sold in the United States, hitting showroom floors in 1964.

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traffic
Pixabay by David Mark
In the U.S., about how many vehicles on the road are pickup trucks?
18%
7%
28%
12%
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

About a fifth of vehicles on U.S. roads today are pickup trucks (the F-150 is, in fact, the most popular vehicle on North American roads). This is a uniquely American phenomenon, by the way; in Europe, pickups only make up about 1% of vehicles sold.

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surf
Unsplash by Ross Sokolovski
About how many pickup owners report using their vehicle for work?
About 45%
About 35%
About 25%
About 15%
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Only about 15% of truck owners say that they use their pickup trucks in the day-to-day operation of their businesses. That's not to say that people who own trucks don't work when they drive it — moving a couch is work — but the truck isn't necessary for them to make a living.

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USA
Pexels by Pixabay
Which state has the most pickup trucks in the U.S.?
California
Texas
Florida
New York
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Thanks to construction booms and other economic factors, California has the most pickup trucks of any state in the union (about 4.7 million as of 2016). Texas comes in second with 4.2 million, and Florida rounds out the top three with 2.1 million.

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Country
Wikipedia Commons by Charles01
Which country has the most pickup trucks per capita?
United States
Thailand
Canada
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While the U.S. has more pickup trucks than Thailand, the market share of pickup trucks in that country is over 50 percent, meaning that, if you own a vehicle in Thailand, it's probably a pickup.

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