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Shopping for a truck is much different from shopping for a car. There is a lot more to consider when buying a truck including the many special uses and the large number of options and configurations available. If you are in the market for a new or used truck, here are some things you should consider. Decide How You Will Use It Trucks come in more varieties than most cars, so it is important to think about how you will use it before you start shopping. Do you need room for just you and a passenger, or do you need to haul the whole family? Will you use it to carry gear for fun, or is it going to be a work truck with secure lockboxes in the bed for your tools? You'll also need to take into consideration how much towing power you'll need. Do you have a boat or camper that you'll tow, or do you need the power to haul heavy loads for work? What Size Do You Need? Pickups come in light, medium, and heavy-duty. Once you know what you'll use the truck for, you can decide on the size. If you won't tow very often or just need to carry light loads, then a light-duty truck is all you need. You don't want to pay for more than what you need. If you have a large camper or boat, you'll want to look at a medium or heavy-duty truck that has more power. The Bed Length The bed of a pickup truck, whether it is new or used, is one of the most useful parts of the truck. The beds come in several different lengths depending on the cab size, and  they range from 5.5 feet up to 8 feet. If you will use the truck to carry long, bulky loads, you'll want to look at a smaller cab size and a longer bed. Keep in mind that a truck with a longer bed is more cumbersome to drive and won't fit in smaller parking spaces. You also need to measure the size of your garage if you choose a long bed. Interior Options Truck cabs come with just the basics if that's all you want, or you can go all out and get all the bells and whistles available in a luxury vehicle. Again, think about how you will use the truck before choosing the interior features and technology. Convenience Features Many trucks also offer features to make your workday easier. Additions such as running boards and a large center console bin that can fit handing folders will help you turn your truck into a rolling office if you need it. Just make sure only to add features you'll use and don't pay for things that you won't. There is a lot to take into consideration when you buy a new or a used truck. Take a good look at what you need, and then from there add some things that you want. Image by RL GNZLZ via Flickr | CC BY-SA | Cropped from original

With a rich southern history, Manning, South Carolina has an abundance of museums for history buffs to explore. Museums are a terrific way to stimulate your brain and challenge your intellect. Manning provides different types of museums and learning opportunities for kids and adults. Your group will enjoy discovering the history of Manning at any of the following museums. Book a tour today to uncover the history and wonder of the area. Sumter County Museum Dive into southern history by visiting the Sumter County Museum. Begin your tour with The Williams-Brice House, a restored Edwardian house built in 1916. In addition, you can view the Carolina Backcountry Homestead, The Martha Brice Gardens, and the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, which investigates South Carolina's Jewish history. Events provided at the museum include an oyster roast, harvest festival, and Christmas events, including a wreath workshop to promote holiday spirit. The museum has an extensive volunteer and membership program. The Florence County Museum The museum opened in 2014, and provides guests with artistic, cultural, and historical perspectives of the region. Current exhibitions include Revisited: The Early Portraiture of William Harrison Scarborough (art), Arriving South (art), Print Detectives (printmaking processes), There's Still Time (paintings and contemporary mixed media works), The Community Gallery (history of the museum and of Florence County), The Pee Dee History Gallery (historical artifacts). The museum hosts a regional art competition for artists from the surrounding counties. Tours and lectures are given at the museum to guests. You can rent space in the museum for receptions, dinners, meetings, and other events. South Carolina Cotton Museum Pets are welcome at this pet-friendly museum in Bishopville, SC. The Cotton Museum advertises the “world's largest” Boll Weevil, cotton bales of all sizes, cotton art, and gifts. Exhibitions include the cotton wagon and cotton spinning machines. A gift shop is on site for guests to purchase souvenirs. The museum offers tours and educational programs for all ages. Lee County Veterans Museum While exploring the Cotton Museum, check out the Veterans Museum located on the same grounds. The museum provides visitors with a closer look at the history of the Veterans of Lee County. Exhibitions include historical and military artifacts from all branches of the United States Military, including a machine gun and military uniforms. Clarendon County Historical Society Museum and History Center This museum highlights local historical events and the culture of Clarendon County. The museum and history center provide visitors with historical displays and artifacts. Memberships are available for the museum and historical society. Exhibitions include an exhibit honoring Clarendon County World War II Veterans. Upcoming exhibitions include a local exhibit on How Sports Shape Clarendon County. Manning, South Carolina is truly a southern gem just waiting to be discovered.  There are many opportunities to delve into the history of the area, with each option providing its own unique learning experiences. All that's left to do is book a tour and learn!   Image via Pixabay | CC0

The winter months can be tough on automobiles, even reliable models such as the Pacifica. If you're not careful, you may find yourself stranded on the side of a snowy road waiting for a tow truck. Fortunately, getting your vehicle ready for winter is actually very quick and easy if you know what to do. Here are a few tasks that will help you get your Pacifica ready for the winter months so that you always have the dependable transportation that you need. Invest in a Set of Winter Tires Losing traction and having your vehicles spin out is the biggest threat when driving during the winter. If there is frequent snow or other types of wintry precipitation in your area, purchasing and installing a set of winter tires is the best way to get your Pacifica ready for the winter months. Winter tires are specifically designed to maintain your traction on slick roads during the colder winter months, and will help you drive with confidence in slippery or snowy conditions. Check Your Battery Extremely low temperatures can impact your car's battery, and if you have an older battery in your car, low temps may prevent your vehicle from starting. Before the winter months arrive, you should test the voltage of your battery to make sure everything is in working order. When you crank your Pacifica, your voltage should be above 10, and while your minivan is running, the voltage should be above 12. Inspect Fluid Levels Checking your antifreeze levels is another important way to get your Pacifica ready for winter. Antifreeze, as its name suggests, prevents freezing in your engine, and if your levels are too low, your engine could actually freeze when the outside temperatures plummet. If you find that you antifreeze is running low, you should top it off to make sure that your engine runs smoothly all winter long. Change Your Oil Scheduling an oil change and requesting that your technician use a winter-grade oil is another effective way to prepare your automobile for the winter season. When the weather cools down, it's better to use an engine oil with a lower viscosity. Low viscosity oils perform much better in lower temperatures, so using this type of oil during the winter will help ensure that your Pacifica runs the way that it should. Build an Emergency Kit Even with the proper preparation, it's still possible that you'll experience a breakdown while driving this winter. Because being stranded in cold weather can be very dangerous, you should be sure that you build a winter emergency kit for your Pacifica before the season arrives. Your winter emergency kit should include several items that can keep you safe if your minivan breaks down. Pack enough blankets to keep your family warm until a tow truck arrives. You also need to store a supply of water and non-perishable snacks. A portable cell phone charger will make sure you can call for help and stay in touch until you're back on the road. Including a bag of sand may help you restore traction on ice or snow. Follow these simple tips, and you can easily get your Pacifica ready for winter.   Image via Chrysler.com

Are you looking to book a tee time at a beautiful, yet challenging course in the Manning, South Carolina area? You've come to the right place! These courses offer unique facilities and amenities to enhance your round and provide you with an incredible golfing experience. Check them out for yourself, and you won't be disappointed! The Players Course at Wyboo Golfers can book a tee time online at this player-friendly course. Upon arrival, they can utilize the driving range as well as chip and putt on the provided practice green. Memberships are available for singles and families. The course offers skill and playing lessons for golfers of any age. You can host a tournament at The Players Course. After your round, enjoy the snack bar and have a drink at the full size bar. Stock up on all your golf necessities at the Pro Shop. The Links at Lakewood This course provides golfers with a bar and grill, free WiFi, showers, and a Pro Shop to purchase any needed golf gear. The Links at Lakewood 's membership options include individual, family, seniors, and VIP plans. The Links at Lakewood also hosts tournaments and other golf events. Lessons are provided at the course for those looking to improve their game. Swamp Fox Golf Club On its website, golfers can access the “tee to green” virtual tour of the course before they tee off. Golfers can practice on the putting and chipping green and strengthen their drive at the driving range. Single or family memberships are available. Swamp Fox hosts tournaments as well. After you play 18 holes, head up to the snack bar to cool off and relax on the outdoor patio. Get any equipment for your next round at the Pro Shop. Wyboo Golf Club Booking a tee time online is simple at this par-72 course in Manning. If you need to improve your golf skills, book a lesson with the Pro. Memberships are available for families, singles, and junior golfers. Wyboo offers a driving range, practice bunker, and putting green to make sure golfers are hitting their best shots. The Pro Shop provides golf gear, club re-gripping, or repairs. Shannon Greens Golf Course Playing a round at this championship course in Manning is stress-free when you book a tee time online. Shannon Greens provides golf lessons, clinics, and camps for junior golfers. Practice facilities are offered at the course. Memberships can be requested online or in person and include single, family, senior, young executive, and social (ages 17 and under) packages. Shannon Greens frequently hosts tournaments. Golfers can purchase gear and attire at the Pro Shop. Upon completing 18 holes, treat yourself at the full-service bar and snack shop. Any of these courses would be perfect for your next round of golf in Manning. They provide golfers with top-notch amenities, tips to improve, and memorable rounds of golf. Now, all that's left to do is book a tee time and hit the links!   Image via Pixabay | CC0

There's nothing quite like a thrilling off-road adventure, but you need to make sure your vehicle can handle it before you set out. You'll find plenty of new models on the market that can cater to some off-roading needs, but if you really want to push things to the limit, why settle for anything less than the best? Over the years, Jeep has worked hard to earn its reputation for rugged and capable off-roaders. The new 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is a great example of all that hard work coming to fruition. With its numerous off-road features and rugged capability, it's easy to see what makes the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk the best companion for off-road adventures. Learn more about all its exciting off-road features. Performance In order to get you across rough terrain, Jeep has equipped their Trailhawk Cherokee with three available engine options. The standard 2.4-liter Tigershark Multi-Air 2 engine boasts an impressive 180 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, but that's just the beginning. Upgrade to the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6, and you'll have 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque at your disposal. There's even a 2-liter turbo engine available that offers 270 horsepower and an incredible 295 lb-ft of torque. Capability With that kind of power under the hood, it's no wonder the Cherokee Trailhawk is so capable. In fact, the Trailhawk is the only Cherokee model that's Trail Rated Tough, meaning it passed rigorous testing in off-road conditions. With up to 19 inches of water fording capability, a 51.2:1 crawl ratio and a 38.1-foot turning diameter, it's easy to see how this crossover is able to conquer rough terrain so easily. You can even bring extra cargo with you on your next adventure, thanks to its incredible 4,500-pound towing capacity. Cargo Space You won't always have to tow a trailer for extra cargo, as the Cherokee Trailhawk itself has an impressive amount of cargo space. While the total interior space measures around 128 cubic feet, 54.9 cubic feet of that can be used exclusively for cargo space, so don't hesitate to load up your new Cherokee with everything you need. Technology Off-roading isn't all about having rugged and capable systems. The Cherokee Trailhawk makes use of some of the latest and greatest automotive technology to offer you a driving experience like no other. The Selec-Terrain Traction Management System is especially helpful when it comes to handling rough terrain. There are five modes available in the Cherokee Trailhawk including Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud and Rock. Safety While certainly thrilling, off-roading can be a dangerous endeavor if you're not properly prepared. Fortunately, the Cherokee Trailhawk is packed with safety features that let you drive with peace of mind. The high-strength steel frame works to direct energy around the cabin in the event of an accident, rather than straight through. Additionally, you'll have the benefit of numerous driver assistance systems like LaneSense Lane Departure Warning and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning, which work to prevent accidents from ever happening in the first place. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the perfect companion for your off-road adventures, thanks to its many exciting and advanced features. Don't wait. Take this incredible machine for a test drive today.   Image via Jeep.com