3 Tips For Driving Your First Truck

If you've made the decision to switch over to the truck lifestyle, you have a lot of benefits to look forward to. You'll be able to haul larger loads, transport your gear easily, and drive where many smaller vehicles cannot. However, before you jump behind the wheel, it is important to realize the vehicle you are driving is much larger than most cars and will handle differently. Below are some tips to follow in your first few months of transitioning to a Ford truck.

Don't Overload Your Truck Bed 

Trucks are great for carrying heavy loads. However, hold off on filling up your entire truck bed until you get used to your truck. If you load your bed too high, visibility will decrease, making it more difficult to anticipate your moves on the road. Additionally, if your load is heavy, your truck will lose some handling control, so it best for you to make sure you're comfortable driving a fairly empty truck first. 

Practice On Back Roads and In Parking Lots

If you have been driving for several years, you may feel like taking your new vehicle out for practice is unnecessary. But because trucks handle significantly differently than smaller vehicles, it is a good idea to rack up several hours of low-stress practice time during the first month. Get a feel for how your truck turns, swerves, and stops in an area where you have little to no risk of getting in an accident before you take it on a crowded road or off-roading. 

Figure Out Your Blind Spots

Blind spots on a truck tend to be much larger than blind spots for a car. While you are practicing during the first month, make sure you pay special attention to where your blind spots are and make note of them. This will help you feel more comfortable anticipating the movement of other vehicles in traffic in relation to your blind spots. 

Buying a powerful new truck can make you want to immediately test the limits of the vehicle. But the best choice you can make after buying your first truck is to take things slow and get used to your vehicle before you put it through strenuous tests such as going off-road, handling in snow and ice, or carrying or pulling heavy loads. Making sure you are a safe driver first will help you keep you and your vehicle in good condition for years to come.