2016 Chevy Colorado bikes in truck bed ・ Photo by General Motors
As pickup sales continue to pick up, more and more first-time truck owners are entering the marketplace, and, if you are one, you may not be sure what model best suits your needs. Should you choose one with low pricing, so you don’t spend a lot on a vehicle you aren’t sure to like? Or perhaps you should look for one that handles more like a car, or isn’t necessarily the biggest truck on the block. You also may want to consider going the full boat right from the start with a fire-breathing, full-size pickup that features all the bells and whistles. But in any case, you’ll definitely want to consider our list of the best first trucks.
The 2016 Ford F-150 is part of the best-selling vehicle line in the country, and that's partly because it's one of the best first trucks for a wide range of customers. For example, if you've never been behind the wheel of a big pickup before, you might want the confidence of knowing your truck is backed by both a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-Star Overall Safety Score from NHTSA. Well, the only trucks in the industry with that on their resumes are the F-150 SuperCab models (with two full-size front doors and two smaller, rear-opening back doors) and the SuperCrew trucks (with four traditional, full-size doors). You’ll find plenty of proactive driver-assistance measures available, too.
Photo by Ford
Even today's most sophisticated pickups ride and handle differently than a family sedan, since nearly all trucks still rely on body-on-frame construction—which is more robust—yet also heavier and less comfortable than the all-in-one unibody construction used with modern-day cars. The only exception: the brand-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline. Honda's brand-new midsize pickup is a unibody vehicle with standard front-wheel drive and what the brand claims is "vastly superior ride comfort and handling precision compared to conventional body-on-frame truck offerings." In other words, it provides the kind of driving experience that’s ideal for the best first trucks with the as-yet untested Ridgeline also expecting an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a 5-Star Overall Safety Score from NHTSA.
Photo by Honda
Some shoppers also may be wondering about the best first trucks for younger, first-time drivers. With those drivers, speeding is a top factor in increasing the risk of an accident, but with the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, the risk of speeding itself can be decreased. That's because some trims come standard with a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces a fairly moderate 159 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft of torque. The Tacoma has less output than found in some compact cars, yet it’s still pushing a mid-size pickup of more than 200 inches. Four-cylinder Tacomas also can get tricked out with a standard Entune infotainment system, with hands-free and voice-control technology that helps drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Photo by Toyota
GM's next-generation midsize pickups—like the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado—satisfy customer demand for the best first trucks by furnishing just about everything available in a full-sizer, but in an easier-to-handle, easier-to-afford package. It's a difference of a few inches and a few thousand dollars as compared to the Chevy Silverado, but the smaller truck does offer something its bigger sibling can't: two consecutive Motor Trend Truck of the Year Awards, honoring both the gasoline-powered versions and the new-for-2016 Colorado diesel. As for what the Colorado shares with the Silverado, that includes benefits that first-time—or any-time—truck drivers would love, like mobile Wi-Fi, smartphone integration, wireless phone charging, and high-tech safety measures such as lane-departure warning and forward collision alert.
Photo by General Motors
The best first trucks for luxury enthusiasts may be the ones that serve up a taste of premium pickup elegance, but don't force folks to bite off more than they can chew. For instance, the 2017 GMC Canyon will bring the brand's signature Denali trim to its popular midsize pickup beginning later this year, complete with typical Denali touches such as a model-exclusive, up-sized chrome grille and 20-inch aluminum wheels with an ultra-bright machined finish and painted accents. Premium amenities will abound in the cabin, too, which will be highlighted by heated and ventilated, leather-appointed front seats, a Wi-Fi enabled infotainment system, and forward collision alert with lane-departure warning. GMC also has confirmed a diesel Denali for the Canyon.
Photo by General Motors
The Bowtie brand also has pickups that are among the best first trucks for drivers focused on fuel economy—now that a limited number of 2016 Chevrolet Silverado pickups will offer a new eAssist mild hybrid system. Leveraging technology borrowed from the Chevy Volt, the eAssist system includes a .45 kWh lithium ion battery pack that helps boost EPA fuel-efficiency grades by 2 mpg in all facets of testing. Further, the truck's new EPA grades of 18 mpg city / 24 mpg highway / 20 mpg combined also come with an extra 13 horsepower and 44 lb.-ft of torque from its electric motor. And that goes along with the standard 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft of torque on its own.
Photo by General Motors
Then again, some people shopping for the best first trucks are ready to jump in with both feet, so why not land in a Professional Grade full-size pickup like the 2016 GMC Sierra? Unlike other truck lines, the Sierra supplies premium packaging right from the start, although the new 2016 Elevation edition is a particularly impressive choice. It builds on the standard Sierra double cab by delivering enhanced content all throughout the truck. Upgrades outside include LED front fog lights and cargo-box lighting, along with body-color accents and 20-inch black-painted aluminum wheels. The cabin then showcases GMC's newest IntelliLink infotainment system, now with mobile Wi-Fi, a 7-inch screen, faster processors, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.
Photo by General Motors
Unsurprisingly, our list of the best first trucks also includes the one that Autobytel experts already selected as the best truck of any kind this year: the 2016 Nissan Titan XD. The Titan XD takes a new approach to the full-size pickup segment, combining more-than-full-size towing capability with not-quite-heavy-duty dimensions. In fact, if you want to make sure the neighbors notice your new purchase, keep in mind that the Titan XD stretches more than 20 feet in length—16 inches longer than a comparable gas-powered Titan. The heart of the matter, though, is the XD's 5.0-liter, turbocharged diesel V8 engine. The unit comes from Cummins and kicks out enough power to pull more than 12,300 lbs.
Photo by Nissan USA
As is the case with its Toyota Tacoma rival, the 2016 Nissan Frontier features an old-school four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. Indeed, with the Nissan's unit yielding a mere 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft of torque, the Frontier King Cab comes with the least amount of output of any current pickup. Beyond a slower-but-safer driving experience that's great for younger, inexperienced owners, who are more likely to be at risk for a crash by speeding, the Frontier also should be on your list if you're on a budget while searching for the best first trucks. After all, it’s the least-expensive new pickup currently at dealerships, with an MSRP that’s more than $5,000 below that of the entry-level Tacoma.
Photo by Nissan
For some ecologically minded customers, the best first trucks have to have best-in-class fuel economy grades, too. For them, the 2016 RAM 1500, configured with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine and the HFE ultimate-efficiency package, puts up an EPA line of 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway / 24 mpg combined; it’s an extra 1 mpg in all areas over the non-HFE Ram diesel, but no current pickup in any class is more fuel efficient than either. Nor does this full-size truck trade away capability to achieve those grades: the same engine also generates a robust 420 lb.-ft of torque, for a 9,200-lb. maximum tow rating.
The most important part of any set up, there's plenty you need to know about trucks!
Buying your first skateboard can be really intimidating. What board is right for me? What trucks do I need? What wheels are best for beginners? Do I get a complete or set one up myself? What is the difference to it all?! All these questions and more will run through your head and with such a big range of parts to choose from it can all be a bit overwhelming! We’ve put together the following guides to give you all the information you need to buy all your skateboard parts with confidence and get out skating sooner! So let’s get into it!
Trucks. Even the word is tough. This is one of the most important parts of your board, where all your turning, pressure and grinding is. Purchasing the right set of trucks is the most important part of getting you set up, plus the right set of trucks can last you years (depending on how much you skate) so we want to make sure you get it right. Let’s break it down!
All these strange numbers can be really complicated and get hard to get your head around. The truth is a lot of experienced skaters don’t even know what some of these numbers mean. Is it the length of the axle? Is it the length of the hanger? Is it cm’s, mm’s, metric, imperial, who knows?! What we do know is you need the right size to fit your board!
If your trucks are too small, it will affect your turning, balance and it can also give you wheelbite, which pretty much means your wheels hit the deck when turning, and you’ll go flying overboard...
If your trucks are too big, again, you also have a high chance of getting wheelbite, but ultimately it just looks a bit silly.
Check out our sizing guides on each truck to make sure you get the right one!
Firstly, there's no right or wrong way to ride your trucks (except backwards!). Whatever feels good for you, just do it. In saying that, steer away from having them too tight as this can often put a lot of pressure on the bushings (those little rubber bits in the middle) which causes them to crack. On the other hand, if they’re too loose you risk the nut falling off or you could get wheelbite like mentioned before!
We recommend finding somewhere nice in the middle. Realistically, you should be able to make a quick 45-degree turn, simply by leaning left or right. If you purchase a skate tool, you can make all the adjustments you need by turning the big nut in the middle of the truck. Remember, lefty loosey, righty tighty.
You’ve probably already noticed the huge price difference in a lot of our trucks. Firstly, all trucks are sold in pairs, you can’t do a whole lot with just one truck unless you plan on manualling everywhere! As far as price, the more you pay, the more advantages you get. So let's start with the entry level trucks and work our way up to the premium range.
Entry Level
A pair of trucks ranging from $50-$70 a pair are fine for beginners who aren't jumping down stairs, grinding rails or taking heaps of impact. If you’re just getting started and you just need something to get you rolling, these will do the trick.
Premium
From the more premium brands you will get a truck that gives you more responsive turning, greater stability on your board and often made of stronger materials. These trucks will range upwards from $80 for a pair and will come in various styles, each with their own qualities.
Standard
The Standard is the basic of the premium brands. They are solid steel and any experienced skater will vouch for them. There may be slight price differences between brands, but ultimately, they’re all just as durable and responsive as each other.
Hollow
The Hollow has a hollowed out axle and kingpin to make the truck much lighter than your standards. Having your board lighter can help you pop higher and maneuver your board better.
Titanium
The Titanium is the creme dela creme of skateboard trucks. They have a hollowed out kingpin and solid titanium axles which gives them the highest strength to weight ratio. Light and strong, what more can you need in a truck!
Both the Hollow and Titaniums come with a higher price tag though so if you’re just starting out really think if you need these just yet.
You’ll need to purchase bolts to attach the deck to the trucks but there’s no need to be too fussy here. You can get 7/8” or 1” for a board without riser pads. If you have riser pads, grab the 1 ¼” and you’ll be laughing! See our Wheels guide to determine if you’re going to need riser pads or not.
Also, don’t forget when putting on your trucks that you always have the bushings (the rubbery bits) facing inwards. Otherwise your trucks won’t work properly and you’ll look a bit silly!
Now get out there and go skateboarding!
- Fast Times
Check out our range of trucks here.
Need to know more? We also have guides on Decks, Wheels, Bearings and Completes!