Vehicles are built one of two ways: body-on-frame or unibody construction. Body-on-frame construction is where the body and frame of the vehicle are two separate entities, and a unibody construction is when these two things are combined into one entity. Body-on-frame used to be the standard method for building vehicles because of the technology and tools available to automakers. Now, unibody construction of vehicles is more common, due to the fact that automotive design and assembly technology has advanced and changed dramatically. Unibody vehicles are now easier to create and can be easily built with crumple zones that help protect the driver and passengers, a lower center of gravity, which improves handling, and a more easily accesible cabin. 

While body-on-frame vehicles have fallen out of favor in most vehicle segments, there are a few that still use this tested method for vehicle construction – trucks and large SUVs. Body-on-frame construction has some advantages – such as body parts being easy to replace, and the superb strength that comes with the ladder-design frame. Those advantages are best exhibited in these larger vehicles that tow trailers and go off the beaten path more often.

If you plan on putting a lot of stress on your vehicle via a heavy trailer or a boulder laden trail that winds over and through some mountains, you may be better off with a body on frame vehicle. Here are some of your remaining options.

Full-Sized SUVs

Small and mid-sized body-on-frame SUVs have all but disappeared with the Toyota 4Runner and the Jeep Wrangler still hanging on to the traditional structure. Other than that, though, you have to go up to the full-sized SUV market to get a body-on-frame configuration. Here are five of the best:

Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac Escalade

  • Price: $79,970 base MSRP
  • Engine: 6.2-liter V8
  • Power: 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque
  • Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
  • Great Standard Features: heated, power-adjustable seats, hands-free power liftgate, remote starter, tri-zone climate control, reconfigurable gauge cluster, and power-folding, third-row seats.
  • What We Love: The Escalade has a presence on the road that other vehicles the same size simply don’t. It’s a product of the Caddy’s unmistakable good looks and overall size that make it simply impossible not to notice. Also, we love the wood inlays in the interior and the soft leather on the seats and basically anywhere the wood inlays are not.
  • What You Should Consider: Other full-sized SUVs can tow more (Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition), which might be important if you need a vehicle that can get your boat into and out of the water.

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Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Suburban

  • Price: $49,700 base MSRP
  • Engine: 5.3-liter V8
  • Power: 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque
  • Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway
  • Great Standard Features: Automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, and 8-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity.
  • What We Love: The Suburban is the ultimate family vehicle without being a minivan. It’s large, can seat up to nine people, is reasonably priced and can do just about anything thanks to folding seats and available 4WD.
  • What You Should Consider: The Suburban is 19 ft long and the turning radius is less than impressive. If you don’t absolutely need the extra space, a shorter vehicle may be a better choice.

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Ford Expedition

Ford Expedition

  • Price: $45,435 base MSRP
  • Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6
  • Power: 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque
  • Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
  • Great Standard Features: 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, power-adjustable pedals, rearview camera, and Bluetooth connectivity.
  • What We Love: Lots of torque, making the expedition an SUV towing master (up to 9,200 lbs.). One of the lower price tags for a body-on-frame SUV.
  • What You Should Consider: If you don’t plan on doing some serious towing, you may be better off with a mid-sized SUV. Despite the smaller engine, the fuel economy isn’t better than other SUVs with a V8.

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Toyota Sequoia

Toyota Sequoia

  • Price: $45,325 base MSRP
  • Engine: 5.7-liter V8
  • Power: 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque
  • Fuel Economy: 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway
  • Great Standard Features: Power tilt/slide moonroof, roof rack, 3-zone climate control, 8-way power driver’s seat, 6-way power passenger’s seat.
  • What We Love: The Sequoia provides Toyota reliability in a large package. The rear seats are plenty spacious for adults and the vehicle seats up to 8.
  • What You Should Consider: The Sequoia is priced similarly to the Ford Expedition, but can’t tow near as much (7,400 lbs.). If you need an SUV for towing heavy trailers, opt for either the Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator. Also, the Sequoia gets less than impressive gas mileage when compared to competitors.

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Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln Navigator

  • Price: $63,195 base MSRP
  • Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6
  • Power: 380 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque
  • Fuel Economy: 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
  • Great Standard Features: 8-inch touch screen, navigation, voice command control, leather seating, heated power front seats and a power liftgate.
  • What We Love: It’s a luxury full-sized SUV that can rival the Escalade, but can also tow 9,000 lbs and gets decent gas mileage for an SUV its size.
  • What You Should Consider: The Lincoln Navigator is basically a dressed up Ford Expedition, and you could get the highest level of the Expedition with some options for only a little more than the base model of the Navigator.

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Trucks

Trucks are still made body-on-frame because of their use as towing machines. Long after all body-on-frame SUVs have died out, trucks will likely continue as the sole purveyors of this time-tested vehicle construction. Here are five of the best trucks on the road

Ford F-150

ford f-150

  • Price: $26,430 base MSRP
  • Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 5.0-liter V8
  • Power: 283 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque (3.5-liter), 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque (2.7-liter), 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque (3.5-liter twin-turbo), 385 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque (5.0-liter)
  • Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (3.5-liter) 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (2.7-liter), 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (3.5-liter twin-turbo) 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (5.0-liter)
  • Great Standard Features: Hill start assist, trailer sway control, fail-safe cooling and curve control
  • What We Love: Plenty of engine options, tons of different cab and bed configurations and up to 12,200 lbs. towing capacity.
  • What You Should Consider: Unless you know you need to tow about 12,000 lbs., you probably don’t need to go with the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine.

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GMC Sierra

GMC Sierra

  • Price: $27,715 base MSRP
  • Engine: 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8
  • Power: 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque (4.3-liter), 355 hp and 382 lb-ft of torque (5.3-liter) 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque (6.2-liter)
  • Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (4.3-liter), 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (5.3-liter), 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (6.2-liter)
  • Great Standard Features: Hill start assist, electronic trailer sway control, traction control, CornerStep rear bumper.
  • What We Love: The GMC has a big boxy look that makes you think it’s capable of anything. Also, the 6.2-liter V8 is a beast of an engine.
  • What You Should Consider: The GMC is marketed as a more upscale pickup. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest tech on trucks, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the GMC can deliver an experience other trucks don’t. If, however, you just need a competent workhorse, you may be better suited with a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado.

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Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet Silverado

  • Price: $27,095 base MSRP
  • Engine: 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8
  • Power: 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque (4.3-liter), 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque (5.3-liter), 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque (6.2-liter)
  • Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city 24 mpg highway (4.3-liter), 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (5.3-liter)
  • Great Standard Features: Stability control, traction control, tire pressure monitoring and emergency brake assist.
  • What We Love: The fascia of the Silverado changes considerably depending on the trim. Some have a lot of chrome, some more body color, but they all look nice and unique. There’s a large number of cab and bed configurations to choose from.
  • What You Should Consider: The Silverado’s main competitor, the F-150, offers an aluminum body, which makes for better towing capacity, slightly better fuel economy and larger payload all at a lower starting price.

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Nissan Titan XD

Nissan Titan XD

  • Price: $40,290 base MSRP
  • Engine: 5.0-liter Turbocharged Diesel V8
  • Power: 310 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque
  • Fuel Economy: NA
  • Great Standard Features: Hill start assist, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, remote keyless entry, Nissan Connect with mobile apps,
  • What We Love: The Cummins Turbo Diesel’s massive amount of torque, the spacious interior and premium grade materials on almost every surface inside the truck.
  • What You Should Consider: The Titan XD is a heavy truck, with the S trim 4X4 weighing in at 6,986 lbs. (there are heavier versions of the Titan XD), which is a lot more than the RAM 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra or Chevy Silverado.

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RAM 1500

RAM 1500

  • Price: $26,145 base MSRP
  • Engine: 3.6-liter V6, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, 5.7-liter V8
  • Power: 305 hp 269 lb-ft of torque (3.6-liter), 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque (3.0-liter turbo diesel), 395 hp 410 lb-ft of torque (5.7-liter)
  • Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (3.6-liter), 20 mpg city 28 mpg highway (3.0-liter turbo diesel), 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (5.7-liter V8)
  • Great Standard Features: Hill start assist, locking tailgate, automatic headlights, and USB port
  • What We Love: The large variety of cab and bed configurations, the fact that you can get a turbo diesel engine.
  • What You Should Consider: The turbo diesel engine option offers an amazing amount of torque and great fuel economy and should make the RAM 1500 stand out. 

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