The 10 BEST US trucks in SnowRunner?

Want to drive the best US trucks in SnowRunner? Well, here are my top 10 favourites and why.

Hello and welcome to A Tribe Called Cars. In this video (press play above) we are going to talk about ten of the best US trucks in SnowRunner. Because I know a lot of you want to use region-specific machinery for a touch of added realism.

The reality is that Russian and Ukrainian trucks perform best in SnowRunner and can make earlier regions like Michigan and Alaska too easy. If you want to blame anyone, blame the developers.

That is not to say there are no brilliant American trucks, of course, and that is what this SnowRunner best US trucks list is all about. Funnily enough.

Feel free to let me know if I am right, wrong or indifferent in the comments. You could also like and subscribe. On with the show.

Best US trucks in SnowRunner: Caterpillar CT681 / CT680

If there was an award for aesthetic similarity in SnowRunner, the CAT CT680 and its DLC successor, the CT681, would be strong contenders.

There is not a huge amount of difference in terms of functionality either, with both highly versatile and not afraid to go off-road. Although neither can have mud tyres – off-road is as good as it gets.

The CT680 can utilise AWD and Diff Lock when upgraded and has 20 litres extra of fuel over the 260-litre CT681, while it has the same sized tyres, the same lack of raised suspension but substantially higher up snorkels and the option of a metal detector.

In favour of the CT681 is the fact it has a wheel you can lift up. And drop down. And lift up. And drop down. The fact it is a dead axle is not exactly the best though. However it can have a crane, cargo bed and trailer although doing so ruins the turning circle.

The winner is the CT680. Mainly because it can have curtains.

International HX 520

Also similar to the aforementioned kitty CATs is the International HX 520. Again not just aesthetically but also in ability, usefulness and utility. However, unlike the CT681 it can do a crane, cargo bed and a trailer far enough away not to ruin its turning circle.

The HX 520 does not have curtains, though, but the lack of lovely soft furnishings is made up for with switchable AWD and Diff Lock, numerous addons and up to 47-inch tyres of the off-road variety.

All of that is balanced out by the fact it has weaker stats for all of its engine choices and the snorkels are about as high as on the CT681, making the CT680 probably the best of the three.

Chevrolet Kodiak C70

Until the Step 33-64 “Crocodile” came along, the Chevrolet Kodiak C70 was the smallest truck capable of fitting the high saddle. Fortunately it still retains its usefulness as a highly versatile truck with just about every addon under the sun.

Being smaller has its drawbacks such as middle-of-the-road 43 inch tyres and nothing of the mud variety (although the UOD IIs are great). Nor can the heavy duty class truck fit an autonomous winch as you can with scouts and some off-roaders.

There is not even the option of a cargo bed and crane. But it is decent on fuel efficiency and enjoyable to drive, which goes a long way in SnowRunner. Get it? Goes a long way.

ANK MK38 Civilian

And now for my joint personal favourite, the ANK MK38 Civilian. Originally the ANK MK38 only had a cargo bed, which meant its brilliant off-road ability and perilous speed was rather hamstrung. In addition, it would tip over if a particularly large leaf blew into it.

I still loved it though and I love the truck seen in a loading screen even more, the addon-friendly ANK MK38 Civilian. Now you can have a van body, fuel tank and either saddle, making it more useful. And still highly capable, thanks to 51-inch mud or off-road tyres and always on AWD and Diff Lock.

As for falling over, the developers adjusted the weight balance so you should find it more stable. Although given its speed and enjoyment factor, gravity will eventually catch up to you.

Western Star 6900 TwinSteer

Nice. That is the joke when the number ’69’ appears, right, and it is also a good description of the Western Star 6900 “nice” TwinSteer. I reviewed this truck before AWD was a thing and this four-slot trailer-denying monster has only got better.

The turning circle is measured in miles, yes, and it is not too difficult to tip over – especially when full to the brim with heavy objects. But those 63-inch tyres and powerful engines make this heavy truck especially useful for almost all SnowRunner maps.

Just the need to avoid trailers and the satisfaction of driving make it one of my favourite trucks. Even if I have thrown cargo overboard more times than I would like to admit.

CAT 745C

Now I will be honest, the White Western Star maybe deserves this spot. Or even the PayStar as these are great starter trucks you can get early on and wear most of Michigan like a hat. Because sometimes it is nice not to leave Michigan and Alaska to get the Azov 64131 or Tayga 6436.

However, other trucks on my list can fulfil that role. What I deem more important is a truck that can pull a sword out of stone and deliver fuel anywhere. That is the CAT 745C. Go to Alaska as soon as you can to get this beast because, trust me, it can and will save the day.

You can even use it for logging these days, which is not such a bad idea given its stability, reliability and ability to go pretty much anywhere in SnowRunner. Well, maybe not dense forest – the kryptonite of large articulated machinery.

Pacific P16

Available for free early on in Michigan if you can make it to Drummond Island in one piece, the Pacific P16 is a truck often seen carrying giant logs in photos and it is definitely a force to be reckoned with in SnowRunner.

Apart from looking like Optimus Prime, which is no bad thing, the Pacific P16 has highly competent 57-inch OHD I tyres – perfect for deep mud, snow and boggy conditions. It is this rubber prowess that undoes the fact there is no AWD upgrade. Gasp.

This is why, particularly on ice, the Pacific P16 can come undone. It also only has the Log Carrier Front and Saddle High addons, reducing its usefulness. Although pre-logging it had its role and it remains a no-nonsense way to complete tasks with bigger deliveries.

International Loadstar 1700

Next up, long time viewers will know the International Loadstar 1700 as Loady McLoadFace and may even remember dubstep wheelies. Ignoring my buffoonery, the Loadstar is a brilliant scout. Small yet highly versatile and capable of tackling harsher terrain than most of its rivals.

Yes, the TUZ 420 “Tatarin” is better in mud and I would also admit the Ford F 750 is probably better for remote repairs and refuelling because of all its related addons. However, there is something about McLoady that makes it more McMemorable.

Call it nostalgia, call it a slight obsession with circular headlights. All I know is that the Loadstar 1700 has managed to remain competitive nearly two years since SnowRunner was released and that is worth celebrating.

GMC MH9500

Given at the beginning of SnowRunner, it is easy to overlook the GMC MH9500. At level 1 you do not really have many upgrade options and some of the best ones need to be collected. Plus you will have been wet behind the ears when it comes to driving skill.

And yet the GMC MH9500 is definitely over 9,000 if you pimp it out with off-road tyres, raised suspension and any of the many addons it boasts. Over tough terrain, it does surprisingly well and it is free, allowing you to focus on saving for upgrades. Or bolster your fleet.

Where the milk gets a little sour is the fact the AWD upgrade, which makes it a significantly better truck when the going gets tough, lives in Lake Kovd and therefore you will need the Year 1 Pass or Lake Kovd DLC to use it. Boo.

Derry Longhorn 4520

And lastly and perhaps controversially: The Derry Longhorn 4520. In light of its recent new engine added in Phase 6 Maine, it is still hardly what you would call a class-leader. However, it does make more sense than ever.

I would also say the Derry Longhorn 4520 is particularly cool to drive and look at. Attach a big trailer and it will probably get you there without too much swearing and spilt tea.

There are better value, more powerful and more useful heavy alternatives in SnowRunner, particularly from outside the US, but for US-only trucking the Derry Longhorn 4520 is worth a try. If only for variety.

And that is it for this top 10 best US trucks in SnowRunner round-up. Did I miss something? Did I make a grave error of judgement? You can let me know in the comments. Also subscribe and like.

FYI: I made a playlist of all my truck reviews in addition to my best truck round-ups. As always, thank you for watching. Take care, bye.