Our favorite full-size pickups offer the best ride, comfort, handling and safety we've ever seen in these big trucks while still providing the three Ps we've always demanded -- power, pulling and practicality.

None of our choices -- the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram -- gets great gas mileage. But we've looked for models that get the best fuel economy you can expect in a hard-working pickup.

Sticker prices can run $40,000 or more on tricked-out crew cab trucks with V8 engines. But our recommendations should satisfy most buyers for about $30,000, including destination charges.

And no one is paying sticker for a pickup these days.

With all of the discounts being offered, your actual cost will be thousands less. (Here's where to find all of the latest deals.)

Our recommendations are also for two-wheel-drive models that cost about $2,000 to $4,000 less than the four-wheel-drive trucks needed to deal with lots of deep snow or steep, muddy roads.

Chevrolet Silverado

The 2010 Silverado is as solid and refined as any truck out there, and our choice now comes with a six-speed automatic transmission that helps it get slightly better highway fuel economy.

Its strong frame and improved steering make it surprisingly responsive and pleasant to drive.

The cabin is well-sound-proofed, making it quiet even at high speeds. Nice touches that make this truck easy to live with include locking under-seat storage, wide-opening rear access doors and a split rear seat that folds up to carry groceries or whatever more easily.

All models now have standard side curtain airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and electronic stability control.

If you need four-wheel drive, a dash-mounted dial allows you to select two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive that can be used all the time or four-wheel drive designed for particularly slippery conditions. There's also low-range for low-speed, off-road driving.

As with most full-size pickups, you can mix and match everything from cargo beds and cab sizes to suspension systems and trim levels.

The Silverado also comes with a choice of four engines from a 4.3-liter, 195-horsepower V6 to a 6.2-liter, 403-h.p. V8. Depending on the engine, there's a choice of a four-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed, which is new this year.

We recommend the LT version, with an extended cab, standard 6-foot-5-inch bed and the 315-h.p., 5.3-liter V8 with the new six-speed automatic transmission and "active fuel management" system, which shuts down four of the eight cylinders when full power isn't required.

The E.P.A. rating is now 15 miles per gallon city and 20 m.p.g highway, and this version can tote 1,696 pounds and tow 9,700 pounds.

The sticker price for our choice is $31,400

Ford F-150

The F-150 is surprisingly refined for being a serious workhorse.

The extremely responsive steering nicely connects the driver to the road, a good feeling when piloting two tons of truck. Those who spend a lot of time on the road will appreciate the cab being surprisingly quiet and tech-friendly with a USB port and auxiliary MP3 player input on the dash.

Although there is a bit of a jiggle on some surfaces when the bed isn't loaded, this truck is solid. There are no quivers on a rough surface. Its stronger, lighter frame contributes to an overall pleasant ride and increased towing capability.

In terms of safety features, all F-150s come equipped with electronic stability control with roll stability control and trailer sway control, which can apply the brakes and reduce engine torque to bring a wayward boat or travel home back under control.

The F-150 offers three V8 powertrains -- the premium, updated 5.4-liter (320 h.p.); a new 4.6-liter (292 h.p.) with a six-speed automatic transmission, and an older 4.6-liter (248 h.p.) engine with a four-speed automatic transmission.

It comes with three cab styles, four bed options and seven trim levels with prices that range from around $22,000 to $44,000.

We recommend the XL version with the new 4.6-liter V8 and six-speed transmission in two-wheel drive, the midrange SuperCab and a 6-foot-6-inch bed.

With this combination, an owner can carry 1,680 pounds, tow 8,200 pounds and get 15 m.p.g in the city, and 21 m.p.g. on the highway.

The sticker price for our choice is $27,075.

Dodge Ram

Chrysler finally got the Ram right with its redesign last year, especially the ride quality, and it did that with a bold engineering move.

Dodge replaced the traditional leaf springs in the rear suspension with coil springs like those used in cars. Because of that significant change, as well as improvements in the frame, this Ram is very comfortable on rough roads. In fact, its ride and handling are the most car-like of the bunch.

The powerful, bold-looking Ram comes with three cab configurations, five trim levels, three box lengths and three engine choices. It can carry up to 1,850 pounds and tow up to 15,500 pounds. That's more than last year. No changes were made to the vehicle, but Dodge says its engineers determined that the Ram was capable of towing much more than when it was previously tested.

The new 5.7-liter V8 Hemi is rated at 390 h.p., and 407 lb.-ft. of torque -- an increase of 10% in horsepower, 8% in torque. On the road, this engine and its five-speed automatic transmission respond quickly and strongly to the driver's demands.

Variable valve timing and the cylinder cutoff system help to increase fuel economy, and a light on the instrument panel tells the driver when the Hemi is running on a fuel-conserving four cylinders instead of eight.

This year it also has what Dodge calls a "decel fuel shut off" feature that turns off gas to the engine when you are coasting with your foot off the accelerator. (This won't change E.P.A. fuel estimates, however, because how much gas you save depends on a driver's coasting habits.)

Also available is a 4.7-liter V8 engine (310 h.p. and 330 lb.-ft. of torque) with a five-speed automatic. The 3.7-liter V6 (215 h.p. and 235 lb.-ft. of torque) gets the four-speed automatic.

On the safety and security front, the 2010 Ram has standard front and rear side-curtain air bags, electronic stability control and trailer sway control.

Prices start at $21,510 for regular cabs, $25,565 for quad cabs and $29,410 for crew cabs, and top out at around $43,500 without options. Unfortunately, the nifty lockable, weather-proof fender storage bins are available only on the more expensive crew cabs.

We recommend the two-wheel drive ST with the QuadCab, 5.7-liter V8 Hemi and 6-foot, 4-inch bed, which comes in at $27,935. That configuration can carry 1,820 pounds and pull 10,200 pounds with an expected fuel economy of 14 m.p.g. in the city and 20 m.p.g. highway.

Just be aware that it will have to be special-ordered. The company says buyers who want a Hemi engine usually want a more upscale trim level such as the SLT with four-wheel drive. But that would push the price to $34,295.

By Cheryl Jensen

Interest.com Contributing Editor