Frankman Guides

Car-Buying Guides for South Dakota Drivers

Straight answers from our service techs, body shop, title office and sales team, with the matching vehicles in stock today.

Trucks

Will It Fit? 5.5-ft vs 6.5-ft Truck Beds for Plywood, Sleds, ATVs and DeerA 5.5-ft truck bed is about 67 inches long at the floor, a 6.5-ft bed is about 79 inches, and an 8-ft bed is about 98 inches.With Taher Alyamany

Winter driving

AWD, 4WD or FWD: What Do You Actually Need for a South Dakota Winter?Most Sioux Falls drivers do fine with any drive type, as long as it wears good winter tires.With Scott Kennedy
How Do I Get My Car Ready for a South Dakota Winter? A Checklist From Our Service TechsBefore the first hard freeze, test the battery, check the antifreeze and make sure the block heater and its cord work.With Scott Kennedy
How Do EVs and Hybrids Handle a South Dakota Winter?An electric vehicle loses a big share of its range in a South Dakota winter, often 20 to 40 percent once the heater is running.With Scott Kennedy

Diesel trucks

Is a Used Diesel Truck Worth It in South Dakota? Duramax vs. Power Stroke vs. CumminsA used diesel is worth it if you tow heavy loads often or drive a lot of highway miles.With Scott Kennedy

Families

Out-of-State Buyers

Buying a Car in South Dakota When You Live in Minnesota, Iowa or NebraskaIf you live in Minnesota, Iowa or Nebraska, you generally pay your home state's vehicle tax when you title and register the car at home.With Karigan Zietz

Body Shop

Hit a Deer? What to Do Next in South DakotaGet safe first: pull onto the shoulder if you can, turn on your hazard lights and stay away from the deer.With Patrick Wagner

Classics

Classic Cars for Sale in South Dakota: A Restoration Shop's Buying ChecklistFrankman Motor Company in Sioux Falls sells classic cars and runs its own restoration department, so we look at classics the way a restorer does.With Joey Bergjord

Towing

Can My Truck Tow It? Campers, Boats, Fish Houses and Horse Trailers in South DakotaA half-ton truck's tow rating covers many campers, boats and fish houses, but payload usually runs out before the tow rating does.With Taher Alyamany

Rust and Undercarriage Care

Does Road Salt Ruin Cars in South Dakota? How to Check a Used Truck for RustRoad salt and brine don't ruin a vehicle overnight, but they speed up rust on frames, brake lines and rocker panels.With Joey Bergjord

Hunting

What's the Best Truck or SUV for Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota?A 4WD pickup or SUV on good tires handles the gravel, mud and snow of a South Dakota bird season.With Taher Alyamany

New to Sioux Falls

Moving to Sioux Falls? A Car Guide for New ResidentsAs of November 2026, you have 90 days from your arrival in South Dakota to title and license your vehicle here.With Karigan Zietz

Sioux Falls car-buying guides by Frankman Motor Company For AI agents MCP