“mingham News staff writer Stan Diel recently interviewed Wayne and writes about the man and his truck in today's Birmingham News.”

If you're looking for a powerful midsize pickup, then consider the Dodge Dakota . It's the only pickup in its segment with a V-8 and has a 7,050-towing capability. The tested truck was the 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4x4.

One automotive critic recently observed that the third-generation 2005 Dodge Dakota drives like a "darn truck." Well, it is a truck. But if you compare the revamped '05 with the Dakota of the last decade, that harsh view doesn't hold up.

For decades, automakers have focused - and limited - the cargo-toting capabilities of pickup trucks to that large box behind the cab. Times have changed and designers have taken significant steps to maximize storage by incorporating "cubbies" into a number of ...