Ford captured this year's "Truck of Texas" title at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo.

Each fall, truckmakers form a wagon train and trek to the Lone Star State for the annual Texas Truck Rodeo in the hopes of being named “Truck of Texas.”

There may be no truck-focused award that carries more prestige than this one, rooted in the heart of truck country, Texas, which is also known as The Truck State. Makers bring dozens of vehicles to show off, but in the end there is but one winner of the big prize.

The 2017 Truck of Texas is the 2017 Ford Super Duty, as voted by more than 70 journalists.

“We are honored to win the ‘Truck of Texas’ award as it underscores how the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty lineup are the toughest, smartest and most capable trucks we’ve ever built,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager.

“This prestigious award from the Texas Auto Writer’s Association further solidifies Ford’s truck leadership in Texas, where F-series continues to be the best-selling truck and builds on our momentum as the top-selling truck in the United States for 39 consecutive years.”

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This year's Truck of Texas winner: the 2017 Ford Super Duty.

In addition, the 2017 Nissan Armada was named the SUV of Texas and the 2017 Volvo XC90 was named the CUV of Texas. TAWA journalists voted Ford Motor Co. as the 2017 Truck Line of Texas.

Trucks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and as such, more than 71 vehicles valued at nearly $4 million were evaluated in 17 categories over a two-day period at a new venue for this year’s truck rodeo, the Longhorn River Ranch. The other winners include:

• Truck line of Texas: Ford Motor Co.
• Heavy duty pickup truck: 2017 Ford Super Duty
• Best commercial vehicle: 2017 Nissan Titan XD Single Cab
• Luxury pickup truck: 2017 RAM 1500
• Off-road pickup: 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon
• Full-size pickup: 2017 Nissan Titan
• Midsize pickup: 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
• Best technology: Honda In-bed audio system
• Best connectivity: FCA Uconnect Access
• Best powertrain: 2017 Ford F-150 with 3.5 EcoBoost V-6 engine
• Off-road utility vehicle: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
• Full-size luxury SUV: 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS
• Midsize luxury SUV: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace
• Full-size SUV: 2017 Nissan Armada
• Midsize SUV: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Compact SUV: 2017 Jeep Cherokee
• Full-size CUV: 2016 Mazda CX-9
• Midsize CUV: 2016 Nissan Murano
• Compact CUV: 2016 Jeep Renegade
• Luxury CUV: 2017 Volvo XC90

The rodeo gives the writers a chance to put the trucks through a variety of tests, both on and off-road. TAWA members evaluated the off-road vehicles while climbing rocks, crossing creeks and dodging exotic wildlife.

(Click Here for more about the Texas Truck Rodeo.)

The vehicles evaluated comprised pickups, SUVs and crossover utility vehicles whose combined sticker prices totaled more than $4 million. The testing is intense enough that the makers ensure that there are engineers on hand to answer questions about the vehicles and to aid in the evaluation process.

“This year’s Texas Truck Rodeo was by far the most competitive in the most categories,” TAWA President Nic Phillips said. “More than 70 member journalists put in more than the equivalent of 15 days of driving time in the competing vehicles.

“After careful evaluation, I believe the results of the competition show just how competitive truck and utility vehicles are today,” he added. “Ford’s all-new 2017 Super Duty and its innovative use of advanced materials, as well as improvements in powertrain and features, thoroughly impressed our journalists.”

(10 speeds, 11% mileage gain for Ford F-150. Click Here for the story.)

“Nissan was the most overall awarded brand with five category wins, including the 2017 Nissan Armada as the SUV of Texas. Volvo defended its title as CUV of Texas with the 2017 XC90.”