www.mapleridgenews.com - THE NEWS -- Friday, March 7, 2014 -- 19
driveway
Ten top trucks to get the job done By Ian Harwood
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hat 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 10 choices. • The 2014 GMC/Chevy Silverado/Sierra half-ton pickup has gone through some monumental changes this year. What an improvement with a comfortable and refined interior on all trim levels, and three engine choices – Eco Tec 4.3-litre V6, 5.3-litre V8, and a 6.2-litre V8. • The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is similar in design to its big brother, the Silverado. This mid-size 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 (6,700 lbs.). A 2.5 l I-4 engine is standard with an optional 3.6 l V6 with a six speed automatic transmission. • The 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 6.6 l V8 turbo engine delivers 397 hp and 765 lbs. ft of torque and is paired with a 1,000-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. •The 2014 Ford F150 Ecoboost, with more than 100,000 Eco Boost engines being produced monthly, you can bet a majority of these are finding their way into this truck. 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 four-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 l V8 engine to help you get up and over that hill. • The 2015 Ford F150 has all new design features and a completely aluminum body and high strength steel in its frame, making 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. • The 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is a much-anticipated truck from Ram. It has a 3.0 l V6 diesel engine and 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.
• The 2014 Ram 3500 is 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 13,607 kg (30,000 lbs.).
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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.
Ian Harwood.
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A 6.7l Cummins turbo diesel engine delivers 385 hp and 850 lbs. ft. of torque. • The 2014 Toyota Tundra has a new body style this year, with 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 l or a 5.7 l engine. Can it compete with the big boys? This is the year to see. • The 2014 Toyota 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 l 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, six airbags, and a power invertor, this truck has everything I am looking for in a pickup. ian.harwood@ drivewaybc.ca
Please join the
Community Literacy Committee (CLC) for our
Annual Strategic Planning Session When? Thursday, March 13 at 1 – 3 PM Where? Learning Room,CEED Centre 11739 223rd St, Maple Ridge, BC Why?
Help guide the work the CLC does by sharing your ideas, thoughts, and observations.
Who?
The CLC is a community planning committee. Everyone welcome.
To reserve your seat call Angie @ 604.476.2447 or email coordinator@communityliteracy.ca
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel are among Ian Harwood’s favourite trucks.
Confessions of a Curber It happened just after the last flood. TThe winter beat records for snowfall, and serious springtime saw seriou flooding. Basements filled, streets were running with water, and cars were left to float and sink. One day, I walked past a junk yard and saw, what I thought, was a relatively r normal car.
the vehicle could get a person from A to B. Suddenly, I had an idea. Since the car looked fine on the outside, no one had to know its real history. I was a genius. After a night in the garage with a heater and a little scrubbing, I posted an ad on Craigslist: “2004 black Toyota Corolla for sale. No longer need, bought new car. No room in garage – need to sell ASAP!!! Few scratches, otherwise in great condition. Call cell and we’ll talk price.” Thirty minutes later I got a call from a sixteen-year old kid – a little younger than my son. We decided to meet at the local mall at about 6:00. I wonder if his parents knew what he was up to. I arrived at 6:20, telling him I was in a great rush as I had to pick my son up from soccer practice. Turns out he played, too. After some soccer gossip, we got down to business. I knew that a kid his age just wanted a ride to show off to his friends, so we spent little time on the details. I told him the car was in perfect condition and was never in any accidents. “No problems as far as I know,” I said. The kid was sold. He trusted me. I never gave him my full name, and he never gave me his. He gave me the cash, I gave him the car. All was good. I was on my way. A few days later, I saw a TV program that talked about flood damaged vehicles. Apparently, flooding can damage the computer systems, which control things like the brakes and steering. And flood vehicles can’t be registered or insured. Who knew? My mind immediately went to the kid I sold the vehicle to. I felt a twinge of guilt. Then my eyes darted to my stash of cash. Two weeks later, I had another car up for sale. Stay tuned!
I still rremember my first rs time. It was so easy. eas So thrilling. And I walked away with a couple of thousand thousa bucks in my pocket. Not bad for pocket a few hours’ hou work. What’s it doing here? he I thought. Apart from a couple coup of scratches on the outside ou and some moist seats, sea the vehicle seemed roadworthy. road I immediately asked about the car. I was told that th it was found full of flflood ood w water. Its previous owner wanted nothing to do with it. I bought the car for fo a couple hundred dollars. do I didn’t even have to register it in my name. n Originally, I had no n intention of doing what I did. I wanted to sell the car for parts. But, the engine still worked worke and
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