Get the most truck for your money

For less than 20 grand, you can't get much. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma.

2013 Toyota Tacoma

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Among midsize trucks, it is the clear winner for resale value, and it offers the most pleasant driving experience. Pricing starts at $17,125 for a rear-wheel-drive regular cab with the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.

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Contractors want their trucks to max out the capability and minimize the cost. The Ram 1500 Tradesman offers just that. It forgoes amenities such as carpeting and power windows to offer lots of capability for a reasonable price.

2013 Ram 1500

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The 1500's starting price with rear-wheel drive and the 8-foot bed is $22,420. It comes standard with a 4.7-liter 310-horsepower V8 engine.

Read:  Pickups Aren't Just for Contractors

If you are looking for a well-equipped full-size pickup for less than $30,000, forget it. However, you can get a loaded midsize pickup for less than $30,000.

2013 Nissan Frontier

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The best choice here is the Nissan Frontier SL. A crew cab runs $29,540 with the strong 4.0-liter V6 engine and rear-wheel drive.

View Slideshow:  Pump-Wise Pickups

If you have a wife and kids, you should opt for a crew cab, carpeting, power accessories, alloy wheels and other features to make the truck more comfortable for everyday use.

2013 Toyota Tundra

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In this scenario, the Toyota Tundra is one of the better bargains in the full-size, half-ton truck category. For $34,640 you get a base CrewMax (crew cab) with Toyota's strong 5.7-liter V8 engine and all of the above features.

Watch Video:  2012 Toyota Tundra

The big news here is how much you will save at the pump. The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid is offered only as a crew cab with a starting price of $39,640.

2013 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

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It features a 6.0-liter V8 engine mated to a dual-mode hybrid system for a total output of 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado Hybrid's fuel-economy ratings of 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway are 21 to 31 percent better than its V8-powered competitors. That could save you $600 to $800 a year in gas.

Compare: Chevy Silverado vs. Ford F-150 vs. Nissan Titan

Some jobs require more truck than others, and today's heavy-duty trucks are more capable than ever. The Chevrolet Silverado HD can tow and haul as much as or more than any pickup on the market.

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

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To achieve the best balance of capability and price, opt for a 2500 model with the crew cab, short bed, 4-wheel drive and Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine, which makes 397 horsepower and a ridiculous 765 lb-ft of torque, and can tow up to 13,000 pounds. Price: $44,385.

Find: More Pickups Between $40,000 - $45,000

For the base price of $42,725, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is capable of racing across the desert at speeds that would be illegal on the street.

2013 Ford F-150

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The Raptor features 11.2 inches of suspension travel up front and 13.4 inches in the rear, which allows it to clear obstacles while maintaining traction. Fox Racing Shocks handle harsh impacts to keep the vehicle moving over rough terrain.

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Nobody does luxury trucks like Ford, and the Harley-Davidson F-150 4x4 is top of the line. It is the only pickup on the market with a starting price of more than $50,000 ($51,995).

2013 Ford F-150

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It comes standard with all the goodies, including Ford's 6.2-liter 411-horsepower V8 engine, sport suspension, powered running boards and 22-inch wheels. Inside, you get snake-skin leather upholstery, a navigation system, HD radio and a sunroof.

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For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

-Toyota Tacoma
-Ram 1500
-Nissan Frontier
-Toyota Tundra
-Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid
-Chevrolet Silverado HD
-Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
-Harley-Davidson Ford F-150

Compare: All 8 Vehicles

Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experience to MSN, and currently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

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