Our Best Pickup Truck of 2015 Contenders

We're nearing that time of year again when our sister website Cars.com will announce its annual "Best Of" awards in several categories on the last press day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This year is particularly interesting given how many pickup trucks qualify for the Best Pickup Truck Award, which PickupTrucks.com will announce during the awards presentation on Jan. 13 in the historic Fillmore theater.

In the meantime, here are the nominees. Can you guess which vehicle we selected?

Chevrolet Colorado

The all-new Chevy Colorado — and its sibling, the GMC Canyon — are brand-new entries in the long-ignored midsize pickup truck segment. The Colorado and Canyon have been gone from the marketplace for almost three years but have returned with a completely new chassis and powertrain lineup. Available in both extended- and crew-cab configurations, the Colorado will offer inline-four-cylinder and V-6 engines, two wheelbases, three trim levels and reportedly will offer a small turbo-diesel engine next year.

Ford F-150

It would be easy to dismiss the importance of this new F-150 if all you thought was important was the truck's aluminum body panels. But this truck offers a lot more than aluminum. The F-150 is reimagined in just about every way with new trim levels, never-before-seen (on a pickup truck) technology, and more payload and towing capacity than any truck in its segment. As to powertrains, there are four choices, two of which are brand new; the standout is the new 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost with the best gas fuel economy for any half-ton.

Ford Super Duty F-250/F-350

Ford's biggest changes to its heavy-duty lineup comes in the form of a significantly upgraded Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V-8. Every Super Duty that gets the big puller will get the segment-leading 440-horsepower rating with 860 pounds-feet of torque. The newly revamped motor gets a bigger, smarter turbo, better cooling and now includes a dedicated, manually operated exhaust brake button. The small-volume F-450 has the highest ratings in the HD segment now that it has an upgraded frame, chassis and axle setup.

GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500

Both the GMC Sierra 2500/3500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 have the same type of upgrades to their 2015 model lineup: all-new exterior look, several bed design changes and an interior that's very much in line with last year's light-duty Silverado and Sierra. The gas and diesel powertrains carryover from 2014, but some smart frame and towing hitch upgrades have given this model segment-leading bumper towing capacity. We selected the GMC as our nominee because it was the big winner in our 2014 Ultimate One-Ton HD Challenge.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

This newest trim package from Toyota will take the impressive TRD Baja off-road package two (and maybe three) steps further with a more balanced and fine-tuned suspension lift, a set of four remote-reservoir Bilstein high-performance racing shocks, aggressive all-terrain tires and a unique, durable interior. The new package is one of the most capable four-wheel-drive pickups offered and comes standard with a rumbling aftermarket-style TRD exhaust.

Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

Toyota trucks have a history in desert racing that goes back several decades, but this new off-road package moves the full-size Tundra into some elite company in the world of capable four-wheelers. The package is offered in both double-cab and CrewMax configurations and includes slightly taller and softer front and rear springs, fast-reacting and adjustable remote-reservoir Bilstein shocks, and unique bead-lock-type rims with Michelin off-road tires.

Cars.com graphic

 Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/12/our-best-pickup-truck-of-2015-contenders.html

Mark Boice, BusinessLink | Real People, Real Businesses

In this installment of our "Real People, Real Businesses" series, we interview Mark Boice of BusinessLink and Chrysler Commercial Vehicles. Mark tells us about free services like 24-hour towing, free loaner vehicles, and next-bay service that small business owners get by enrolling in our free BusinessLink program. BusinessLink dealers are focused on adding to your bottom line by keeping your vehicles on the road.

For more, visit http://www.chryslercommercialvehicles...

Tommy Gate - G2 Series - Pickup and Service Operation

Tommy Gate - G2 Series - Pickup and Service Body Operation

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Rack-it Truck Racks

2016 Nissan Titan Likely to Have V-8 Cummins

When a truckmaker does a lot of testing, it means it is getting close to a full reveal. We know we'll be seeing the 2016 Nissan Titan (likely with the new 5.0-liter V-8 Cummins under hood) at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Our spies are telling us they're seeing test trucks on the road. Here's a quick note we just received.

"We have our most detailed shots and video yet of Nissan's next-generation Titan pickup, capturing the new truck in a more polished trim level than previously seen spy shots. We now see the Titan's chrome grille texture and its complex headlight units. The rear axle and overall size seems more substantial too."

KGP Photography images

Source:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/12/spied-2016-nissan-titan-close-up.html

Rack-it's HD Square Tube Commercial Forklift Loadable Rack - Available for Pickups!

 

This Rack-it pickup rack is mounted on a Dodge pickup. It was built for Central Washington Refrigeration, Yakima, Washington. Rack-it has been building this type rack for years for commercial trucks like service bodies, and it is now available for pickups!

This is Rack-It's HD Square Tube Commercial Forklift Loadable Rack. While this style of rack is typically made for service body applications, as you can see, we can also build these forklift loadable racks to fit pickup beds as well.

The Rack-It Forklift Loadable Rack provides maximum support for heavy loads and is designed to support the load on the crossbars. The side bars are lowered to allow the forklift forks to lower the load and retreat back without disturbing it. 

The Forklift Loadable rack can also be built to specific dimensions to accommodate high side tool boxes. We also can add custom mounting plates to attach the tool boxes to the rack for maximum support.

Last, but not least, we added an expanded metal frame behind the rear window, further customizing the rack to exactly what the customer was looking for. Once again, if you have a customer looking to customize a rack, we love to take on these cool projects, big or small.

To find out more, you may call Rack-It truck racks at 800-445-7666.

Also find us at http://rackitinc.com/

Ram Ecodiesel Makes Wards 2014 Best Engines List, Again

For the second year in a row, WardsAuto has named Ram's 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel engine to its 10 Best Engines list, making it the only light- or heavy-duty engine entry. However, the 6.2-liter Corvette Stingray engine is on the list again, and it shares many construction elements with the 6.2-liter V-8 motor available for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks.

Other engines that made the 2015 list include Ford's three-cylinder Fiesta motor, Volvo's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and BMW's electric i3 as well as a fuel-cell entry from Hyundai.

To read the Ward's press release and see the full list of top engines, click here.

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/12/ram-ecodiesel-makes-wards-2015-10-best-engines-list-again.html

2016 Toyota Tacoma to Debut at Detroit Auto Show

Toyota is betting that the midsize truck segment is likely to grow as new models enter the market and they've decided now is the time to update their Tacoma entry (teaser photo above). Additionally, by expanding its Baja, Mexico, plant from running two shifts to three shifts, Toyota will be opening up supply for dealers who have wanted to sell more Tacomas for quite a while.

KGP Photography image

According to Automotive News, the next-generation Tacoma will debut during press days at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit the second week of January. Some have speculated that the Tacoma introduction was moved forward to combat all the attention the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are getting, the former receiving the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year award.

Although there is very little we know about the new midsize, we're guessing Toyota will take a conservative approach (a similar strategy to what the 2014 Tundra executed), making minor interior and exterior styling changes with the possibility of a new powertrain or two. It remains to be seen whether the new Tacoma frame will come closer in line with the global Hilux pickup.

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/12/2016-toyota-tacoma-to-debut-at-detroit-auto-show.html

Into the Arctic | 2015 F-150 Truck | You Test: Episode #4

See what happens when the new 2015 F-150 tows at maximum payload over the Dempster Highway – a rough, desloate, 900-mile stretch of gravel road that goes through the Arctic Circle.

Classic truck - passing through on a carrier

The classic truck was just passing through Brea, CA on a carrier.

Rack-It Forklift Loadable Super HD Rack for Knapheide Service Body

Spotted in Clearwater, Florida 

 

This Ford SuperCab model was sold from several in-stock units at Walker Ford in Clearwater, FL. Walker Ford stocks a wide variety of commercial work trucks with just about any body configuration for any trade; service bodies, flat beds, contractor bodies, landscapers, dumps, haulers, and vans.

Rack-it builds these racks for commercial truck applications like Service Bodies, Utility Bodies, Flatbed, Contractor Bodies and more. The forklift loadable rack is configured to accommodate loading materials on the top of the rack by the use of a forklift. The load can be placed on the top crossbars and then the forks can be slid back out without impeding or damaging the rack. The load can be supported from the rear of the rack all the way to the front of the cab roof. These Super HD racks are designed for long-term heavy duty use in commercial applications.

Notice the heft of this rack, it's very sturdy construction - mounted to clear the top compartment cover when it's opened. The center and rear bar crossbars are removable and the rear bar will swing out! This will accommodate loading tall objects into the bed area. Notice the tie downs welded to the vertical posts.

The Knapheide service Body is built with rugged steel construction and external storage for your tools and equipment, the Standard Service Body is a key component in your day to day productivity.  The external compartments offer protection from the outside elements and allow the technician to access their equipment without having to climb into the truck bed.  Staying organized both on and between job sites is important, that's why Knapheide's Standard Service Bodies come with ample compartment storage space complete with shelving.  Our double panel door construction combined with stainless steel rotary latches keeps your equipment and your tools secure and provides peace of mind.  Knapheide's Standard Service Bodies are tested and true and come with a six year warranty. 

Call Richard Van Peer at Walker Ford at 866-933-1338 for your commercial truck needs. They have 100's of commercial trucks in stock! Email Richard at rvanpeer@walkerford.com. Find out more at http://www.walkerford.com

To find out more about racks for your work truck, you may call Rack-It truck racks at 866-933-1338.

Find Rack-it Truck Racks at Custom Truck Accessories - 2 California and 2 Nevada Locations

Custom Truck Accessories- A Rack-it Truck Rack Dealer

Custom Truck Accessories started in Reno NV, June of 1983. Initially it was named Custom Tops. It opened primarily as a top lot, stocking over 300 camper shells or "tops". Ordering truck loads of tops weekly allowed Custom Tops to be the number one lot with LEER Truck Caps year after year. The name Custom Tops was used until September 1993 when it changed its name to CTA, short for Custom Truck Accessories. Since then the company has worked with customers, manufacterers and dealers to stay abreast of all current automotive trends and has evolved to emphasize customer wants and needs while working with several local auto and truck dealers to produce brand new custom vehicles as soon as they leave the showroom floor. Not just a top lot anymore CTA does everything from tonneau covers, mud guards, step bars, running boards, hood shields, lifting, lowering, leather Interiors , mobile navigation and sound for any type of vehicle to luxury wheel and tire packages for cars and trucks alike. We are honored to be a Leer Platinum Dealer Since 1994 and we are the only shop in Nevada to be designated a Thule 5 Star Dealer.

Here at CTA we take your satisfaction seriously. We pride ourselves in having a clean and easy to navigate website for you to browse. We have teamed up with authorize.net, so that once you find that special item you’re looking for placing an order is safe, easy and secure. We utilize UPS to get your product to you quickly and safely once your order is processed.

Customer service & satisfaction is very important to us and we strive to keep you, our customer, coming back to us for all of your truck accessory needs.

Call us at 775-329-5111. Our friendly staff is eager to help you with any of your truck accessory questions. You may also contact us via e-mail at sales@CTAReno.com. Our employees come from a retail truck accessory sales background and have the knowledge answer your questions promptly and correctly. Any feedback whether good or bad is positive feedback to us. Please do not be afraid to leave any comments on things you think we should change or just to let us know how good of a job we are doing.

Find the nearest Custom Truck Accessories Retail location near you:

http://customtruckaccessories.com/locator.html

Best-Selling Pickup Trucks: November 2014

November auto sales finished strong with Thanksgiving and Black Friday specials going on throughout the country. But pickup truck sales typically finish strong in the last few months of the year as dealerships try to reduce inventory to make room for new models that are on the way for the new year. Add to that strong incentives and lower fuel prices (that look to stay that way for a while), and consumers have some good reasons to purchase a new pickup. Some analysts are predicting a possible year-end sales total for the auto industry close to 17 million units, the highest we've seen in a decade.

Ram sales continue to be the standout in the segment, but GM (Chevrolet and GMC) has done well in the final half of the year, making slight gains in market share due in large part to Ford's flat sales numbers. Ford's plant changeovers for the 2015 F-150 reduced product availability.

This is the first month we've seen the all-new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon on our list, and interest seems to be pretty strong as the "days supply" number — about 10 — indicates there are plenty of people interested in the smaller pickups. Still, we're guessing it will take a while before we see how well GM's decision to invest in these new vehicles pans out. We'll post the fastest and slowest sellers for November soon.

Manufacturer image

www..pickuptrucks.com/

Colorado and Canyon: Striving for the Perfect Body

WENTZVILLE, Mo. – The men and women launching the new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickup trucks at General Motors’ Wentzville Assembly Plant are proud of their “perfect bodies.”

Not necessarily what they see in the mirror but the perfect bodies of the new trucks that began production in September.

Engineers at Wentzville used perfectly measured mockups of the trucks’ interior and exterior and a sophisticated laser-scanning system to test the fit of parts and assemblies both to the “perfect body” and to other parts to which they connect.

Long before the assembly line started to roll, this process identified and aided in the resolution of mismatches and conflicts involving parts and assemblies coming from five GM plants and as many as 20 different suppliers.

  

More than 200 parts or assemblies were evaluated using the tools before regular production began. One example was an ill-fitting passenger side “A-pillar” between the windshield, instrument panel and headliner. The pillar was disassembled piece by piece uncovering Part Quality, Design, and Assembly issues. Working with all parties they were able to fix the issue and refine the production process before the line ran trucks to be shipped to dealers.

“We’re working with an entirely new vehicle architecture as well as the latest technology available for dimensional management,” said Bryan Vickery, dimensional engineer for Body Maintenance at Wentzville. “The process is a big part of delivering improved body structures, which translates to great vehicles to our customers.” 

The tools are still used in production, where they help identify issues undetectable by the human eye. 

“The perfect body process helps everyone by quickly identifying the source of a particular issue and giving us guidance on what needs to be done to fix it,” said Mark Deterding, engineering manager for Magna Interiors. “We discover potential issues before they can affect the vehicle’s quality. We identify solutions and we use them to make sure our solutions work.

“It’s an additional step, but we’re happy to spend time with these perfect bodies because they mean safer, quieter and more reliable vehicles for the customer.”

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About GMC

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

Ram 1500 Wins Motor Trend’s 2015 Half-ton Pickup Shootout

The editors of Motor Trend today named the Ram 1500 the winner of their 2015 half-ton truck shootout.

Three contenders were put through a broad array of testing designed to evaluate the core uses of a truck owner. In addition to the 2015 Ram 1500, the judges examined America’s other two top-selling full-size trucks: the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and the 2015 Ford F150.

To determine a winner, the Motor Trend judges took the three competitors on a 260-mile drive through eastern California and western Arizona. Each truck’s performance was measured in a number of exercises, including:

1. Standard testing (without load): 0-60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and maximum lateral grip.
2. Limit handling (without load): closed-course cornering, braking and acceleration.
3. Tow testing with 7,000 pound trailer
4. Payload testing with 1,000 pounds
5. Fuel economy testing
  
After the data was collected, judges convened to determine which truck would be the victor of Motor Trend’s half-ton shootout. The winner is chosen by directly comparing empirical results and drive impressions of each truck.

With the votes cast, the Ram 1500 surfaced as the winner of Motor Trend’s 2015 half-ton pickup shootout. The judges were particularly impressed with the performance of the Ram 1500’s EcoDiesel V-6 engine as well as its eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission, a combination that boasts best-in-class 28 mpg fuel economy.

“This is a strong third-party testimonial of Ram’s place in the market and contributes to the justification of long hours and hard work to deliver the best trucks available,” said Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand. “Just five years after becoming its own brand Ram Truck has nearly doubled its market share and earned best-in-class titles in fuel economy, torque, payload and towing.

"The half-ton segment is a severely competitive environment and winning Motor Trend’s half-ton shootout validates that we have the top truck in the segment," added Hegbloom.

Motor Trend’s Real MPG testing proved V-6 turbo nor V-8 gas-powered engines can match the EcoDiesel’s efficiency. Judges observed fuel economy of 22 mpg during 1,000-pound loaded testing over 260 miles. Motor Trend’s Real MPG testing last year returned frugal stats: 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 with a 3.92 rear axle and an even more notable 18/28/22 for the Lone Star Crew Cab 4x2 with a 3.55 rear axle.

"Our comparison of the latest half-ton pickup trucks was as exhaustive as it was comprehensive, because this segment is so important and so competitive. We evaluated every aspect of these trucks we could and debated long and hard over their merits,” said Scott Evans, Associate Editor — Motor TrendMagazine. “In the end, the Ram EcoDiesel's excellent ride quality both loaded and empty, torquey engine, smooth and intelligent transmission, ease in towing, comfortable and refined interior, and best-in-test fuel economy proved the winning combination."

The Ram’s optional air suspension system also contributed to the win, as it delivered a compliant ride and commendable handling no matter the terrain. In terms of design, the Ram 1500 impressed with its style, packaging, and interior ergonomics. The variety of the lineup was another compelling factor. Whether outfitted as a basic workhorse or optioned up to a near-luxury hauler, the Ram 1500 provides all of the capability needed in a truck.

About Ram Truck Brand
Since its launch as a stand-alone division in 2009, the Ram Truck Brand has steadily emerged as an industry leader with one goal: to build the best pickup trucks and commercial vehicles in the industry.

Creating a distinct identity for Ram Trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on core customers and features they find valuable. Whether focusing on a family that uses a Ram 1500 day in and day out, a hard-working Ram 3500 Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its Ram ProMaster commercial van every day for deliveries, Ram has the truck market covered.

In order to be the best, it takes a commitment to innovation, capability, efficiency and durability. Ram Truck invests substantially in its products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and exclusive features that further enhance their capabilities.

Moving into the 2015 model year, Ram continues to beat the competition in the two most sought-after titles, fuel economy and towing capacity:

• Best-in-class fuel economy with exclusive EcoDiesel - 28 mpg with Ram 1500
• Best-in-class towing capability - 30,000 pounds with Ram 3500
• Best-in-class payload – 7,390 pounds with Ram 3500
• Best-in-class torque – 865 lb.-ft. with Ram 3500 equipped with Cummins engine

Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.