WomanOnWheels.ca

In Review: 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

Hey, if you're going to go off-road, you need to look the part as well as drive it, and my Tacoma TRD Pro certainly fit that bill. Find out more in my review at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Trailer towing: How truck companies are making it easier

Cars and SUVs have all kinds of active safety features. Trucks do too, and increasingly, automakers are tweaking them so they'll help out when you've got a trailer hooked to the back. Find out what they are and how they help in my "How It Works" column at the National Post (Driving.ca.)

How do the midsize trucks stack up?

Ford's the latest in the segment with its new Ranger, but what else in out there? Check out my round-up at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Ford unveils all-new F-Series model...

... but it's strictly for commercial customers. The work truck segment is huge for automakers and Ford is reintroducing its F-600, along with a Transit with all-wheel drive. Find out more in my story over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

First Drive: 2019 Ram Heavy-Duty

All three heavy-duty truck manufacturers are coming out with new ones, and for 2019, Ram has finally hit the 1,000-ft-lb-of-torque mark. Find out more in my review at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Should your next truck be gas or diesel?

Each has its strong and weak points, and you need to objectively assess how you drive, what you need the truck to do, and the extra costs that may be involved. Find out more in my story over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In review: 2019 Ford Ranger

Smaller trucks are a growing segment, and I think it's partly because full-size pickups haven't stopped growing. If you find a big truck is just TFB -- too friggin' big -- check out my review of the 2019 Ranger over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Busting the biggest truck myths

Think your truck's got the highest towing capacity out there? Think 4WD can be used everywhere? Do you believe it's better to drive with your tailgate down? If so, check out my "Biggest Truck Myths Busted" at AutoTrader.ca.

Truck guards vs truck skirts

Many people say that pedestrian lives could be saved if all trucks had the guards they've seen on tractor trailers -- but those are aerodynamic skirts, not guards. Find out the difference between them in my "How It Works" column at the National Post (Driving.ca).

First Look: 2020 Ford Super Duty

It doesn't look much different, but Ford's Super Duty (F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550) gets two new engines, a new transmission, and a couple of cosmetic enhancements for 2020. No numbers on those engines yet, but Ford is promising some serious grunt. Find out more in my story over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2015 Ford Transit: Ready to work

Later this year, Ford's E-Series van will be replaced by the Transit, the newest version of a global van that's been around since the 1960s. Find out more in my story over at the Toroto Star.

First drive: 2015 Ford Transit

There are some very good work vans on the market, but I recently drove the one that I think will come to dominate the segment: Ford's new full-size Transit. Find out why in my story over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Toyota Tacoma

It's a popular truck, and I like its size, but it really could use a makeover - especially those seats! Find out more in my Toronto Star review.

Testing the Ford F-150: Yes, it's aluminum

That's the big news for Ford's best-selling truck: it will be the first in its segment to have an all-aluminum body. The entire truck is going through extensive testing, and I had the opportunity to visit Ford's research center in Dearborn, Michigan to find out more. Read all about it in my story over at the Toronto Star.

Preview: 2015 Chevrolet and GMC Heavy-Duty Pickups

I love trucks, but a diesel dually goes even a step beyond that. On the heels of a makeover for its half-ton, GM now puts the finishing touches on its Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500 models. Read my story over at the Toronto Star.

Ram takes the Canadian Truck King Challenge

The Canadian Truck King Challenge - which I think should be renamed the Truck Queen Challenge, since I'm one of the judges - is one of the few (and perhaps the only) vehicle-of-the-year competition that tests trucks back-to-back under real working conditions. This year, the Ram 1500 with its new diesel engine and the Ram 2500 took the light- and heavy-duty crowns. Read more in my Toronto Star story.

A woman and her truck: Kudos to Chevrolet!

I don't often do this, but I'm sending a hearty "good on ya" to Chevrolet. This is probably the first commercial I've ever seen that recognizes that there are a lot of women (like me!) who love trucks. Yes, it's sappy, but it's really nice to finally have someone paying attention.

 

Nissan NV: A great little hauler

I love functional little vehicles, and the Nissan NV fits the bill: nice to drive and holds plenty of stuff. Find out more in my review in the Toronto Star.

The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra

The Sierra is mechanically identical to the equally all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, but with differences in trim and equipment. It's a tiny sliver of GM's truck market in the U.S., but half or more in Canada. Read my report over at Autofocus.ca.