
The Best Toy Semi Trucks
- Gary B.
- UPDATED June 6, 2019
- in RC & toy vehicles
Best Overall
TOMY
John Deere Big Farm
Toy semi trucks provide a tactile experience that thrills most children. They are great for hauling a fleet of vehicles or a jumbo load of dirt from one end of the sandbox to the other. Since most kids can’t resist a toy with wheels (and most of these have about 16) we’ve brought you the top toy semis of 2019.
Our Top Picks

Best Overall
Tomy John Deere Big Farm

Upgrade Choice
Bruder Granite Loader Backhoe

Best Budget Buy
Hot Wheels City Blastin Rig
How to Pick the The 9 Best Toy Semi Trucks
1. Recommended Age
Children of all ages enjoy playing with toy trucks, but it’s important to consider a child’s age when determining the safety of a toy. Small parts that break off easily may pose as a choking hazard for children under the age of 3. Meanwhile, younger children may have difficulty handling small moving parts or manipulating small buttons.
2. Material
Toy trucks are made from a wide variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and wood. When choosing a vehicle’s material, be sure that it is durable enough to withstand regular use. While wood and metal are often used in specialty toys, these materials succumb to rust and rot when left outdoors. Meanwhile, plastic is durable yet tends to fade and break easily.
3. Size
When choosing a toy by size, be sure that it is the right fit for your growing child. Look at the products dimensions to ensure that your child can easily grasp it in their hands and manipulate any buttons or movable parts.
4. Additional vehicles
A semi is no fun if you don’t have anything to haul. Some manufacturers take the guesswork out of the cargo by providing their customers with compatible tow vehicles.
5. Indoor/Outdoor
While many kids enjoy using their semis in the sandbox or mud, some toys are only designed for indoor play. Be sure to inquire whether a toy is intended for use inside, outside, or both.

The Winners
#1
TOMY John Deere Big Farm
Best Overall
The TOMY John Deere Big Farm has incredibly realistic details and childproof durability which features removable hitch for easy loading and unloading as well as adjustable side riggers for those wide loads. When assembled, the truck will be 4 foot long.
- You'll love
- Guine Peterbilt 367
- Lowboy wide load trailer
- All black
- Chrome accents
- Watch for: Does not come with any cargo vehicles
Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Material: Low-tech
Size: Plastic
Additional vehicles: 1:16 scale, JCB Loader Backhoe
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors
#2
Bruder Granite Loader Backhoe
Upgrade Choice
Enable your little one to reign over their play construction site with the Bruder Granite Loader Backhoe. A realistic flatbed and towable black and yellow backhoe. Made in Germany, Bruder toys are known for their exceptional quality and true-to-life details. Cruise on down the pavement with this cherry-red Mack. Then, use the functional low loader and stabilizing legs to load and secure your cargo. This is what truckers like to call a “skateboard.”
- You'll love
- Made of durable ABS plastic
- Functional low loader
- Removable fifth wheel attachment
- Includes JCB 4CX backhoe
- Watch for: Plastic body is thin
Recommended Age: 36 months to 10 years
Material: Low-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 36.8 x 7.8 x 10.4 inches
Additional vehicles: JCB Loader Backhoe
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors and outdoors
#3
Hot Wheels City Blastin Rig
Best Budget Buy
Is your kiddo a Hot Wheels enthusiast with a sizable collection? This double-decker flatbed, Hot Wheels City Blastin Rig lets kids haul 14 miniature cars to the make-believe race of their dreams. It even comes with three speedy Hot Wheels racers to get them started. There’s even a built-in car launcher that enables kids to present their race vehicles with gusto!
- You'll love
- Built-in car launcher
- Includes three Hot Wheels cars
- Holds 14 Hot Wheels cars
- Easy to push around
- Watch for: The truck and trailer have a tendency to separate
Recommended Age: 36 months to 10 years
Material: Low-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 20 x 3.5 x 5 inches
Additional vehicles: Three Hot Wheels vehicles
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors
#4
Ertl John Deere Grain Trailer
Best toy semi trucks and trailers
Ertl is the quintessential farm toy manufacturer. With a John Deere logo meticulously slapped across this semi truck, this highway rambler, Ertl John Deere Grain Trailer is the perfect vehicle for hauling surplus loads of make-believe grain. The miniature tarp slides off and the back doors open and close for easy loading and unloading.
- You'll love
- Made from a renowned manufacturer
- Detailed replica
- Free rolling wheels
- Two-piece wheels
- Watch for: Trailer does not securely snap on to truck
Recommended Age: 8 to 10 years
Material: Low-tech
Size: Metal, plastic, fabric
Dimension: 12 x 3 x 3 inches
Additional vehicles: No extra vehicles
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors
#5
Melissa-Doug Wooden toy Trailer
Best wooden toy semi trucks
Looking for a set of toy cars that inspire learning while keeping your little one pleased. Melissa and Dough are the gold standard for well-rounded educational toys. Their adorable Melissa-Doug Wooden toy Trailers are designed to spark the imagination while teaching colors, letters, and numbers. The best part is that it manages to do all this without the need for batteries or showy features.
- You'll love
- Red truck with a magnetic crane arm
- Car-carrying trailer
- Numbered vehicles
- Bright painted wood
- Watch for: Crane material is very thin
Recommended Age: 36 months to 6 years
Material: Low-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 14 x 6 x 3 inches
Additional vehicles: Detachable low trailer
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors
#6
Peterbilt Model Vehicle Grain Trailer
Want to teach your child about the wonders of the food pipeline? This detailed scale models of a Peterbilt truck and grain trailer are the perfect toys for the future farmers of America. The Peterbilt Model Vehicle Grain Trailers are nearly exact replicas of the real things, with lights and sound to foster a wholly immersive experience. This truck also features movable doors, movable mirrors, and an extra set of wheels. Just be sure to give your little one some threes and eights (trucker slang for hugs and kisses) before they hit the road.
- You'll love
- Peterbilt cab with working lights
- 1:16 scale model
- Extra set of wheels
- Working grain hoppers
- Watch for: Requires three AAA batteries
Recommended Age: 36 months – 5 years
Material: High-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 45 x 7.8 x 10 inches
Additional vehicles: No extra vehicles
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors and outdoors
#7
Bruder Granite Loader Backhoe
Bruder has worked their toy vehicle magic once again with the incredibly realistic Bruder Granite Loader Backhoe. One sight of these impeccable construction site vehicles will have your child grinning ear to ear. The trucks boast loads of functional parts, including fold-down ramps, stabilizing legs, wheels chocks, and fold-out mirrors. The best part is that these dirt and sand-proof beasts inspire little ones to enjoy the great outdoors without having to leave their beloved toy cars behind.
- You'll love
- Dipping drivers cab
- Clip-in low loader with a fifth wheel
- Functional shovel on backhoe
- Fold-down ramps
- Watch for: Stickers come off easily
Recommended Age: 36 months to 15 years
Material: Low-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 33.9 x 7.1 x 9.4 inches
Additional vehicles: JCB Backhoe Loader
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors and outdoors
#8
ToyVelt Carrier Megatoybrand Truck
What if we told you there was a semi truck built with budding paleontologists in mind? The ToyVelt Carrier Megatoybrand Truck offers ample space to store your favorite prehistoric lizards. It even comes with a set of six scaley creates to get your kiddo started on their very own archeological adventures. We love that this compact playset even has a handle for taking it on the go!
- You'll love
- Includes six dinosaur toys
- Thirteen dinosaur compartments
- Additional space for toy cars
- Carrying handle
- Moneyback guarantee
- Watch for: Pricey
Recommended Age: 36 months to 6 years
Material: Low-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 16.6 x 5.5 x 3.6 inches
Additional vehicles: Six dinosaur toys
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors
#9
Fisher-Price Little Peoples flatbed
The Fisher-Price Little Peoples flatbed is the perfect toy for toddlers with an enthusiasm for things that go “vroom.'” It’s a playful big rig with cartoony eyes, movable face features, and a light-up mouth. Three Richard Scary-esque racers fit like sardines in the high-walled truck bed. Push the button on top of Zig the Big Rig’s head and watch as they race out the side gate! With 50 unique phrases, Zig might just have something to say about it!
- You'll love
- Animate design with moving face features
- Holds three mini Wheelie vehicles
- 50 unique phrases
- Launching feature through side gate
- Volume control
- Easy push buttons
- Watch for: Only comes with one mini vehicle
Recommended Age: 18 months to 6 years
Material: High-tech
Size: Plastic
Dimension: 13.5 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches
Additional vehicles: JCB Loader Backhoe
Indoor/Outdoor: Suitable for indoors

Quick Decision
TOMY John Deere Big Farm – Best Overall
Has landed a place as our editor’s pick thanks to its incredibly realistic details and childproof durability
Bruder Granite Loader Backhoe – Upgrade Choice
Its inclusion of a tow vehicle as well as its many functional features makes it our upgrade choice.
Hot Wheels City Blastin Rig – Best Budget Buy
Finally, our best budget buy is none other than the Hot Wheels City Blastin’ Rig, which provides ample transportation for all your child’s favorite Hot Wheel cars.

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Gary B.
Gary is a father of two, self-identified RC fanboy, and part-time guitar plucker. When he's not racing his collection of remote-controlled vehicles or strumming away, we bend his arm and get him to write with precision and expertise on a range of mechanical and electrical toys.
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