Top 5 Trucks of the 2017 SEMA Show

Stephen Elmer / November 3, 2017

The Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association (SEMA) gathered once again in Las Vegas for one of the biggest conventions of the year and there was no lack of creative truck builds on site.

DON’T MISS – Mega Gallery: Over 100 Jeeps from the 2017 SEMA Show

From overland rigs to dropped pickups sitting on airbags, SEMA has something to offer every single truck enthusiast out there, whether you’re into off roading or otherwise. And while many of the trucks at SEMA are nothing more than trailer queens, we found what we think are some of the more functional builds at the show.

Read on for our top five pickup trucks from the 2017 SEMA Show.

5. Nexen Tire Toyota Tundra

This Toyota Tundra is not one of the bright, sparkly eye-catching truck builds at SEMA. And that’s ok. It is a great example of a clean, functional off-road build that actually adds terrain tackling prowess to the truck, unlike the lifted to the sky trucks fit with pointy lug nuts.

High-clearance fenders, new bumpers, a lift kit, long-travel suspension and a high-lift jack are just some of the upgrades done here, coming together to make this Tundra properly capable.

4. Lowered Chevy C30 Camper

Now, despite the fact that this 1971 Chevy C30 isn’t going off road anytime soon, it was just too cool not to make the list. Built by River City Rods, this C30 uses an airbag suspension system to sit right on the ground, but that’s not even what makes it so awesome.

The interior has been made into the ultimate man cave, complete with bench seating, a full bar, gorgeous wood paneling and enough kitschy memorabilia hanging on the walls to compete with a family restaurant. But that’s what makes this build so unique and so fun.

3. Earth Roamer XV-HD

Unlike that Chevy C30, this is one camper that can take you just about anywhere you want to go in complete comfort. The Earth Roamer XV-HD is based on a Ford F-750 with power coming from a 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel, putting out 440 horsepower and 925 lb-ft of torque.

What makes the Earth Roamer so impressive are its capabilities for heading off the grid and staying there for a long period of time, without the need for recharging or refilling anything. There is a 250-gallon water tank, a 115-gallon fuel tank, a 20,000-watt lithium-ion battery pack, a PTO-driven hydraulic generator and even an array of solar panels on the roof that can provide up to 2,100 watts of power.

As for dimensions, the XV-HD is 35′ long, 8′ 6″ wide, 13′ 6″ tall and has a full 13 inches of ground clearance. The approach angle is an impressive 46 degrees, though the long wheelbase results in a breakover angle of just 12 degrees.

A full kitchen, bathroom, and seperate shower are all included along with a washer dryer. But the Earth Roamer also provides some luxurious touches like heated floors, a Bose surround sound system and more.

As for the price, buyers will have to drop $1.5 million to get their hands on an XV-HD.

2. Chevy Colorado ZR2 by AEV

Now for something a little smaller, but looking equally as capable. The folks at American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) teamed with Chevy to make the Colorado ZR2 ready for an overland adventure and it looks fully prepared.

Starting with a ZR2 fitted with the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine, AEV has packed on all sorts of goodies to make this truck ready for a long trip. For starters, long-travel versions of the Multimatic DSSV shocks are fitted, complemented by other suspension upgrades including plunging front half shafts, a high-upper angle ball joint and increased stiffness high-angle tie rods.

To make sure it can get over anything, new bumpers, full skid plate protection, an expedition bed rack, high-clearance fender flares, a high-rise snorkel kit, DualSport beadlock wheels, 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires, front and rear high-output LED lighting, an ARB fridge, NATO-style fuel cans and even an awning in the bed have been included.

Recovery is also a priority with this build, so shackles, a hi-lift jack, and a Warn 9.5xp-s winch are attached.

And possibly best of all, Chevy always uses the SEMA show to garner public reaction to its projects, so if enough people like it, this AEV Colorado could become reality. If you want to see this in dealerships, comment here and let Chevy know.

1. Hennessy VelociRaptor

Everyone knows that six wheels are better than four, just one of the reasons that the Hennessy VelociRaptor 6×6 makes it to the top of our list.

It also manages to put out over 600 horsepower from its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, more than enough to turn the big 20-inch wheels and Toyo tires. The power boost comes courtesy of a number of modifications including a high-flow air induction system, front-mounted intercooler, stainless steel exhaust system and custom ECU tuning. Stopping is provided by big 15-inch Brembo brakes in the front.

To help with clearance, new front and rear bumpers are fitted while a rollbar and LED lighting complete the exterior package.

Best of all, this monster comes with a three year/36,000-mile warranty from the company. But it won’t come cheap. Each VelociRaptor will be selling for $295,000, which includes the price of the basic Raptor.