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In review: 2019 Ram 1500

Ram says its truck is "all-new," but its engines carry over, and that's a good thing -- they've always been among the best and now they're wrapped in newness. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

Why do wheels come off?

Truck wheel separations make the news, but they can come off cars as well, and be just as dangerous. Find out why it happens, and how to help prevent it, in my "How It Works" column at the National Post.

Chevrolet Silverado Heavy-Duty: Here's What We Know...

It hasn't been officially unveiled yet, but Chevy has given us enough teasers about its new big-bad-boy. Find out more in my story over at the National Post.

First Drive: 2019 Ram 1500 Sport

It wasn't originally scheduled in the new Ram 1500's lineup, but the Sport trim level is so popular with Canadian buyers that it's back as a Canada-only exclusive. Find out all about it in my report at AutoTrader.

In review: 2018 GMC Canyon Diesel

Bigger isn't always better, and midsize trucks are a great alternative to the ridiculously-big full-size trucks currently on the market if you don't need their capacity. I like the Canyon, especially with its available diesel, but do your homework: it's a pricey add-on if you don't drive it enough to get back the fuel savings. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

GM's new truck engines can take it down to just one cylinder

The upcoming 2019 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have a trick up their sleeves: Dynamic Fuel Management, which can deactivate various cylinders when full power isn't needed, right down to running on just one out of eight. There's a new four-cylinder turbo engine, too. Find out more at my "first look" story in the National Post.

Ford's F-150 adds a diesel

Diesel isn't just for heavy-duty anymore. It's now moving into lighter-duty trucks, and Ford equips specific models of its F-150 with an available 3.0-litre Power Stroke diesel that's strong and also fuel-efficient. I went to Denver to drive it; find out more in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

What truck do you need?

Trucks are popular, but they can also be hard to shop: what do you need, what can the truck do, what do you want? I have a run-down of the categories and what's available over at AutoTRADER.

In review: 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

When you need to get the job done, diesel will do it, but at a price. Find out more in my review over at the National Post.

How do towing and payload work?

They're the all-important numbers when automakers advertise their trucks, but they're not an exact science -- and the highest capacity doesn't necessarily belong to the biggest truck. Find out more in my "How It Works" column at the National Post.

2019 Silverado: All-new for Chevy Truck's 100th year

Having delivered its first truck in 1918, Chevrolet prepares for 2019 with an all-new Silverado (and, presumably, GMC Sierra), which it previewed by lowering it by helicopter into the Texas Motor Speedway. It was quite a show -- find out more in my story at AutoTRADER.

The chicken tax: Crying fowl over trucks

Back in the 1960s, the United States dumped cheap chicken in Europe, which slapped a tariff on it to protect its farmers and processors. The U.S. fought back with a similar tax that hit food starch, brandy ... and trucks. And while the food taxes have long since vanished, the truck tax remains. Find out how automakers deal with it in my "Rearview Mirror" column at the National Post.

In review: 2017 Nissan Titan

Following the introduction of the oversized Titan XD, Nissan now follows up with the one-ton Titan pickup. It's a gradual roll-out of configurations and engines, and I drove the Crew Cab with V8. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

In review: 2017 Ford Super Duty

There's a new Super Duty in town, and it's pretty impressive, too. Find out more as I get behind the wheel of the F-350 over at Autofocus.

In review: 2017 Ford Raptor

How do I love thee, Raptor? Let me count the ways...ridiculously capable off-road, big and brawny, and just a blast. But does the all-new Raptor out-Raptor the last-gen model? Find out in my review at AutoTrader.

Test-Drive: 2017 Ram 3500

"I don't want you just hauling air," my editor said, and so I looked around to see what I could pull. And lo and behold, there's my 1995 Ram just begging to go out for a ride. Find out how well the new pup pulled the old dog in my review over at AutoTrader.

Test-Drive: 2017 Ram 1500

I've always had a soft spot for Ram, ever since I bought my 1995 version based solely on its looks. There are only minor tweaks on the 2017 version, but one includes somewhat better steering feel. Find out more in my review over at the National Post.

In review: 2017 Toyota Tundra

For 2017, Toyota adds a new off-road model to the Tundra lineup, although it's as much about luxury as it is about grunt. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2017 Honda Ridgeline

Never mind the election debates; if you want to start some fireworks, ask truck fans if Honda's Ridgeline is a "real truck." Well, it is different from what they're used to driving, but for a large number of truck buyers, it's more than enough to get the job done. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

Are you in the market for a work vehicle?

If you think the car market is competitive, you've never checked out the work vehicle segment. Automakers have been updating or adding vans and trucks to meet the market, and there are a considerable number of choices out there. I rounded up the 2016 models in a story for HPAC (Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning) magazine.

In review: 2016 Ford F-150 Limited

Not only was my Limited tester luxuriously outfitted, but it also came with Ford's new Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which automatically turns the wheels when you turn the corresponding dial to help you back up a trailer. How well does it work? Check out my story at Autofocus to see.

Yes, the new Honda Ridgeline is a real truck!

I was on the launch of the redesigned 2017 Honda Ridgeline, which now receives more truck-like styling, in addition to a new engine and numerous new features and tweaks. Find out more in my story at the Toronto Star.

How cheap chicken makes for expensive trucks ...

Back in the 1960s, a tariff on its chicken had the U.S. government crying "fowl!" It responded with a tariff of its own ... and one that some automakers are still feeling today. Find out more in my story over at Autofocus.

When is a truck not a truck?

When it's Truck Lite! Over the years, auto manufacturers have turned out a variety of truck-like trucks, such as the Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup, Chevrolet El Camino, and Subaru's little Brat. Find out more in my gallery over at Autofocus.

Now here's a job: Importing mud ...

That's Mike Sweers, who's the chief engineer for Toyota's trucks. You might think that just involves designing the curves and making sure it can tow, but there's more to it: part of Mike's job requires him to import dirt from around the world. That even included truckloads of mud from Alberta to help him solve a problem. Find out more in my story at the Toronto Star.

Do truck guards save pedestrian and cyclist lives?

The answer is "possibly," but one of the major issues is that most people don't realize that truck skirts -- shown in the picture -- are not the same thing as truck guards. Only one's meant specifically to protect other road users, and it's highly likely that you've never seen the one that is. Find out more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

Trucks, trucks, trucks!

If you're going to the Toronto Auto Show, be on the lookout for trucks, because there are quite a few of them on display. I've rounded up my top-five "must-see," so check it out before you go.

In review: 2016 GMC Canyon Diesel

Diesel's always been the word in heavy-duty trucks, but it has since migrated to half-ton trucks with Ram's EcoDiesel, and now to even smaller ones with GM's Canyon and Colorado. Find out more in my review over at Metro.

Not a bird, not a plane ... it's SuperTruck!

Freightliner's SuperTruck is a concept tractor-trailer the company built to test new fuel-saving technologies, and in road tests, it used only half the fuel a regular truck does. But as with most experimental vehicles, not everything will make it to market. Find out what will and won't in my Driving Force column in Metro.

(And just why was that guy in the Superman intro so excited about seeing a bird in the sky anyway?)

Ram stays on top at the Truck King Challenge

Once again, the Ram half-ton with diesel engine has taken the top spot in the Canadian Truck King Challenge, an event organized by auto writer Howard Elmer (at left). Award winners also included the Mercedes-Benz Metris and GMC Canyon. Find out more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

How far can you get on a tank of fuel?

I touched three provinces and still had plenty left over. That was the idea behind an event, sponsored by Chrysler, that had me driving through New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia in a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Find out more in my report over at Autofocus.

Going off-road? This could be your truck

Toyota has revamped its Tacoma for 2016, with a new V6 and new transmissions. But the big deal is the TRD Off-Road trim, which adds some features that make this one of the most capable off-roaders of any size. Find out more in my review at Metro.

In review: 2015 Ford F-150

I'd certainly driven it enough on launches and events, but I finally got a chance to live with Ford's all-new, aluminum-bodied pickup for a week. Find out what I thought in my review over at Metro.

An 18-wheeler that gets pickup-truck fuel economy

What weighs 80,000 pounds fully loaded, but gets the fuel economy of a pickup truck? It's Freightliner's SuperTruck, a concept that won't go into production but could lead the way toward more fuel-efficient transport. Find out more in my story at Autofocus.

Nissan Titan XD: Eight cylinders running on diesel

The big news for the upcoming next-generation Nissan Titan pickup truck is the V8 diesel engine it will use. Why so big? Find out more in my Driving Force column in Metro.

Tackling rough off-road in ... a Sprinter?

I went up some pretty muddy logging trails in British Columbia and yes, in a Sprinter: the company now makes a four-wheel-drive version. It's not going to knock the Jeep Wrangler off its throne, but is meant for messy job sites or getting work crews into rough spots. Find out more in my story at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon

I'm likin' smaller trucks, and for my money, the best ones right now are GM's twins, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Find out more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

Like pickup trucks? Check this out!

From its ancestor in 1896 to the luxo-limo versions of today, the pickup truck has a fascinating history. Come over to Autofocus and check out my highlights (and low spots) of those days gone by.

Trucks and more trucks at the Detroit Auto Show

The Toronto Star assigned me to write about the new trucks that debuted at the show, and being a truck fan, I was all over 'em. Find out more in my story!

Building the all-aluminum Ford F-150

I had a chance to visit Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant, where the new F-150 is being built. While the assembly line hasn't changed, the process for stamping and joining the body parts has, and the plant had to make some considerable changes to handle it. Find out more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

What's the top new truck?

At AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year testing, I was asked to pick my top truck and yap about it on video. So head over to the Toronto Star and have a look!

And the commercial van crown goes to ...

I was a judge in the Canadian Truck King Challenge, which this year added a new category of commercial vans. We drove them empty, put heavy loads in them, and finally, spun them around some very tight turns and through narrow alleyways in a downtown-driving sprint. Find out who won in my story over at the Toronto Star.

What's the best new pickup truck?

It's actually a question I really don't like answering, because pickup trucks are unique among vehicles: the segment has to address a huge number of needs, from people who need them to tow large trailers, to those who just want them as a car with an open trunk. So the truck that's best at trailering might not be ideal for someone in the city, for example.

But the Toronto Star's annual "Best Of" guide needed me to pick some, and so I did. Find out which ones they were over at The Star.

One more on the 2015 Ford F-150

Over a Metro. Check it out!

Is the 2015 Ford F-150 the best one yet?

As far as driving and handling goes, I think it is, but Ford could face a tough sell with some drivers for its all-aluminum body. Find out more in my review over at the Toronto Star.

First Drive: 2015 Ford F-150

It may not look radically different from the 2014 model, but the changes are big: a weight loss of up to 700 pounds, thanks to an all-aluminum body and lightweight steel frame. There's a new smaller engine and a host of little changes to improve how it works. But please, Ford, give the "military grade" stuff a rest  ... find out more over at Autofocus.

First Drive: 2015 Ford Super Duty

The truck-torque-tow wars are in full swing, and this time around it's Ford's Super Duty. Go to the biggest, and you can essentially drive the equivalent of half a tractor trailer. Find out more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

It's a very exciting time to be a truck fan, as the manufacturers are constantly updating their vehicles to keep an edge in this white-hot market. Find out what GM has done with its trucks in my review over at Metro.

In review: 2014 Ford Transit Connect

The Transit Connect essentially kick-started the compact work van segment, and now there's a new one that's even better than the original. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

Which pickup truck should you buy?

That depends on a number of factors - what you're towing or hauling, what features you want, and what cab configuration works best for you. Read more in my story over at the Toronto Star.