Which Tonka truck is best?
Tonka has long been known for making steel toys focused on trucks and machinery from the construction industry. These rugged, metal, to-scale model vehicles are the toughest toys in the business. Tonka trucks recreate the authentic look and feel of heavy-duty construction equipment and last for generations.
If you are looking for a rugged toy that pushes around dirt, sand and gravel, take a good look at the Tonka Steel Classics Road Grader. This 18-inch-long, cold-rolled steel toy has steerable front wheels and a scraper blade that adjusts up and down, left and right.
What to know before you buy a Tonka truck
Over more than 70 years, Tonka has developed a sterling reputation for building high-quality products that withstand the toughest of play. Tonka trucks are so durable that they are passed along from one generation to the next. All their trucks, vehicles and heavy equipment are well-built, so how do you choose? A good place to start is with your kid’s age.
Age
Tonka makes trucks for kids of all ages. For little ones as young as 1 year old, Tonka makes toy trucks with only large pieces that aren’t choking hazards. Look for age ranges on the box and use them as guidelines.
Size
Tonka makes trucks so small that kids can hold them in their hands. They also make toy trucks that are so large that small kids can ride on them. As kids get older, they may want bigger, tougher trucks that do more things.
Construction vehicles
The Tonka toys that are popular with most kids are from the world of construction vehicles. In construction, vehicles are made for many different purposes, but they must all be tough and durable. Kids who love the idea of building their own roads can choose from bulldozers, backhoes, scrapers, excavators, claws, loaders, dump trucks and concrete mixers.
Commercial and work vehicles
Lots of businesses and industries want their vehicles to be as tough and rugged as construction industry equipment. Tonka makes tow trucks, equipment carriers, garbage trucks, emergency vehicles, fire trucks, first-responder ambulances and lots of 4×4 off-roader trucks.
What to look for in a quality Tonka truck
Moveable parts
When kids play with tough construction equipment, they want to be in control of the work. Look for vehicles with steerable front wheels. Also look for road grader blades to adjust left and right to push the dirt to one side or another. Blades and scrapers that adjust up and down on graders and bulldozers allow kids to choose how much dirt, sand or gravel they move. Look for dump truck beds that tilt, loaders that scoop and lift and excavators with movable articulating arms.
Detail
The more detail a Tonka truck has, the more authentic the reproduction. Check to see what features are prominent on the Tonka trucks you choose. For example, does that tow truck have a real hook?
Collectibility
Tonka trucks have been a favorite of collectors for many years and there are several websites devoted to fans and collectors. Like all collectibles, unopened and unused Tonka trucks in their original packaging are worth more than toys that have been played with. However, most kids will probably want Tonka trucks because they’re fun to play with and enjoy the collector cards that come with some models.
How much you can expect to spend on Tonka truck
Tonka trucks for little tykes typically cost $10-$20. Most Tonka trucks cost $20-$50. A few Tonka Steel Classics cost as much as $200.
Tonka truck FAQ
Are all Tonka trucks made entirely of steel?
A. Most Tonka trucks are made primarily of steel. Certain Tonka truck parts, such as tires and treads, are made of rubber or plastic. Some Tonka trucks may have a few plastic parts, but the bodies are always made of steel.
Are all Tonka trucks yellow and black?
A. Yellow and black have long been the colors of construction equipment and are still the color standards today. Yellow was chosen in the early days because it was highly visible. Tonka’s construction vehicles are yellow and black, but there are Tonka commercial and work vehicles in other colors, too.
What’s the best Tonka truck to buy?
Top Tonka truck
Tonka Steel Classics Road Grader
What you need to know: This 18-inch-long road grader is one of Tonka’s most rugged pieces of cold-rolled steel toy machinery.
What you’ll love: The scraper blade adjusts up, down and through 180 degrees of rotation. The lever axle steering turns the huge front wheels so it can scrape, grade and smooth earth, sand and gravel like its real-life namesake. This Tonka product comes with a collector card.
What you should consider: This big, metal toy is best for kids who are big enough to handle it.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: The tires on this 17-inch-long dump truck transform into literal claws to climb steep surfaces.
What you’ll love: Take on any rugged terrain with The Claw’s expandable “Claw Grip” wheels. Press the bright orange hub, and the tires turn into claws. Press the buttons on top, and the cab lights up, and the siren wails. Put rocks and sand in the metal bed, and dump the load with a simple tilt function that is easy for young kids to use.
What you should consider: This truck does not come with a collector card.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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