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A used lifted truck has the potential to last for several decades when cared for properly. Be sure to be on top of maintenance, along with good driving habits.

Here are pointers to ensure your truck stays in top condition for years to come.

Shock system

Your truck may experience extreme bounce especially if used constantly for off-road driving. Its shock absorbers receive constant stress when going over large rocks or hitting deep potholes. Stress can cause them to stiffen up and stop absorbing suspension.

Lift kit bolts

One maintenance task you can do at home is visually checking the truck’s mounting bolts to see if they have become loose.

Bolts may loosen with constant wear and tear, especially if you’re doing a lot of off-road driving. Loose bolts can affect overall driving performance.

Oil change

Make sure to get the oil changed regularly.

According to the US Department of Energy, a well-lubricated diesel engine can improve a vehicle’s gas mileage by 1-2%. This means an engine regularly undergoing an oil change won’t eat up extra fuel compared to engines with fewer or no oil changes.

A poorly lubricated engine can lead to a high amount of friction among its components, making it more prone to wear and tear.

In the oil change process, make sure to change the truck’s power steering fluid as well.

Payload and tow limit

Ensure your truck is properly outfitted for safe towing. Check the vehicle’s driver manual to find out the truck’s maximum payload and tow capacity.

When outfitting your lifted truck to tow, remember that the higher your truck is, the bigger the drop on the hitch should be. Likewise, the bigger the drop, the less tow rating the truck will have.

Keep these things in mind:

• A lifted truck has a higher center of gravity
• The higher the lift the lower the towing capacity will be
• The truck’s tires are properly rated for the payload

Here’s a useful guide on hitch capacities:

• Class III trailer hitch – Suitable for trucks that can pull up to 5,000 pounds and have a tongue weight (TW) of up to 500 pounds.
• Class IV trailer hitch – Suitable for trucks that can pull up to 10,000 pounds and have a TW of up to 1,200 pounds.
• Class V trailer hitch – Suitable for trucks that can pull a maximum of 17,000 pounds and have a TW of up to 1,700 pounds.

Tires

Tires are one of the highest-costing maintenance components of lifted trucks.

Don’t forget to check tire pressure, especially if the truck is too old to have a built-in tire pressure monitoring system. Manually check tire pressure at least two or three times a month, with increased checks during the winter because during this time, air pressure fluctuates often. Likewise, check their tread levels.

Tire maintenance also includes regular tire rotations to ensure even wear and optimized tread life. Some owners prefer doing this after every oil change.

With proper maintenance and care, your used lifted truck will remain serviceable for a long time.

If you’re searching for a used truck for your business or personal use, just call us at Canyon State Trucks & SUV’s. We have a big inventory of used lifted trucks in Phoenix ready for sale.

We make sure each vehicle is background-checked and inspected, so you’re choosing only the most reliable trucks. You can rest assured there will be no hidden charges. We will get you the best bang for your buck.