In West Virginia the question is how often you'll need low gear, not whether

The West Virginia Turnpike, I-77 and I-64 between Charleston and Beckley, and US 19 near the New River Gorge are all part of everyday travel. Long descents heat brakes and tires, and trailers add stress. Habits matter as much as hardware: drop to a lower gear before the descent starts, keep distance on wet days and avoid riding the pedal.

A Ram 1500 with the Hurricane engine is rated for up to 11,530 pounds of towing, and Laramie and similar trims add selectable Tow, Snow and Off-Road drive modes on 4x4 models. For heavier trailers, the Ram 2500 gives you a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 or the Cummins diesel, and the Power Wagon adds electronic-locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for steep, loose ground. The Turnpike accepts E-ZPass, which makes frequent travel smoother.

A lot of West Virginia is reached by narrow county roads, steep driveways and gravel, with washouts after heavy rain. Many households run ATVs and side-by-sides on trails such as the Hatfield-McCoy system, which turns a pickup into a haul vehicle on weekends. A Ram 1500 comes with 5 ft 7 in or 6 ft 4 in beds, and the longer bed makes a real difference when you are loading a utility vehicle. The Jeep Gladiator, with a 60.3-inch bed and up to 7,700 pounds of towing, works for smaller trailers and for owners who like the Jeep's trail ability.

For an SUV, the Compass is the least expensive way into factory four-wheel drive at $29,990, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance on most trims and 8.6 on the Trailhawk. The Jeep Wrangler starts at $36,635, tows up to 5,000 pounds in its best configuration and has a much higher ground clearance ceiling of 12.9 inches. The Grand Cherokee falls between them, with a roomier interior, Quadra-Trac I or Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive and up to 6,200 pounds of towing.

Size matters in the hollows. A crew-cab Ram 1500 runs on wheelbases from about 145 to 153 inches, and the Gladiator is 137.3 inches, so tight switchbacks and one-lane bridges feel different than on a wide suburban street. A four-door Wrangler rides on a 118.4-inch wheelbase and turns more easily, though it gives up a lot of towing. Choose the smallest vehicle that really meets your hauling needs.

Service can be an hour away from a hollow, so ask your dealer where warranty work is done and how long loaner or parts waits run before you buy. The Ram 1500 Rebel lists a full-size spare as part of its off-road group, which is a practical detail where a flat tire can mean a long walk. In winter, ridgetops and high valleys such as the Canaan Valley area often hold snow when river towns are clear, so decide how much of your driving takes place above the valley floor.

Steep valleys concentrate water quickly. The June 2016 floods in Greenbrier County and surrounding areas are a clear example, and vehicles that sat in similar events can end up for sale. Ask for a history report and look for silt, rust and corrosion in connectors.

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles collects a privilege tax when you title a vehicle, in place of the typical retail sales tax, and counties assess personal property tax on vehicles each year. Both can shape the real cost of a purchase, so ask about each before you sign.