Four Wheeler was the first, and is the oldest, magazine for the 4x4 and off-road truck and SUV enthusiast. The first issue was published in February 1962, and in 2012, the internationally read magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary. Four Wheeler focuses on new-vehicle evaluations, project vehicles, the technical aspects of building a vehicle, product tests, outdoor equipment and machines, 4x4 shows and competitions, and travel and adventure. Four Wheeler is published monthly by Motor Trend Group and headquartered in El Segundo, California.
Top Truck Challenge
The first Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge took place in 1993, and the event, also called TTC, was held annually at the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area near Hollister, California. The last Top Truck Challenge was held in June, 2015. The original concept was to test the engineering capabilities of 4x4 vehicles, and it remained that way through its 23-year history, inviting readers "who own ‘the world’s best four wheeler’ to put up or shut up: Take us up on our Top Truck Challenge—the search for the best truck—and send in an entry," as the February 1994 issue stated. Although competitors were selected by Four Wheeler readers, that process didn’t actually begin until 1995. Competition vehicles no longer needed to also be street legal starting with the 2004 Top Truck Challenge. Over the years, the challenges have included an obstacle course, a mini Rubicon trail, and the Tank Trap. In 2012, Four Wheeler held the first-ever Top Truck Champions’ Challenge, pitting past Top Truck Challenge Grand Champions against one another for ultimate bragging rights. Segments from Top Truck Challenge have been broadcast on the Outdoor Channel.
Granville King
One of the most popular Four Wheeler writers was Granville King. He was Four Wheeler’s Baja correspondent from 1984 until the time of his death in 1989. He wrote a variety of stories for Four Wheeler, including his "From the Backcountry" series, which was an account of a life devoid of many modern trappings, but filled with backcountry adventures and mechanical tips.
Annually, Four Wheeler hands out two prestigious awards to automakers of new 4x4s, Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year. As voted on by the editors, it is a rigorous competition that began in 1974 with the Four Wheeler Achievement Award, given to the 1974 Jeep Cherokee. In 1989, pickup trucks were separated into the own contest. Vehicles are evaluated in categories such as off-road performance, highway performance, mechanical and empirical data, interior, and exterior. The 2016 competitions took place over five days and 1,000 miles, and had a panel of eight experienced judges. Over the past competitions, including both Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year, the title has been awarded to 13 different manufacturers, with Jeep and Dodge/Ram tied with 11 trophies each. No manufacturer has won both Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year in the same year. In 2012, Motor Trend included a behind the scenes look at the Four Wheeler of the Year and Pickup Truck of the Year competitions in an episode of "The Downshift" on the Motor Trend channel. Recipients of the awards are: Four Wheeler of the Year
