Truck Topics
The Next Truck I Buy Will Have...
If you're like many drivers, you fill those long rides at night with thinking. Oh, you might be listening to XM or Sirius or talking to your co-driver or whatever, but it's a pretty good bet you're thinking about other things even while you're occupied with those distractions.
It's also a good bet that among those thoughts, truck drivers might be thinking about...trucks! Specifically, what their next truck would be like and what they would have on that ride. We pulled out the Rolodex and talked to some friends of ours to see just what they want on their next truck.
Leo Bricker, straight truck owner-operator, solo operation
Panther Expedited Services
· Onan generator
· Coleman rooftop A/C unit - "I've had three different APU systems and I've never been completely satisfied with any. On my ext truck, I want the Onan generator and the Coleman roof top air conditioner. I figure if it works for millions of RV's and campers, it should work for my truck."
· Leyman level-ride liftgate - "I like the larger platform than the one I have. I like that additional space."
· Air Cargo rollup door - "It's a narrower frame that gives you just about the same door opening size as swing doors. You can keep it locked until you're ready to open the doors and it eliminates that extra stop to open the barn doors."
· Toilet/shower - "That's on the 'maybe' list."
· Sleeper wired for Ham radio and electronics
Larry Day, straight truck driver, solo operation
C&M Transport
· RigMaster Generator
· Tag axle
· Gaucho bed
· Sirius radio
"I've already got the fridge, microwave and computer, so I'm all ready to go."
"If I were to go independent, I think I'd like to have a Freightliner Argosy with 30' box and possibly a reefer unit with liftgate."
Gene Dunlap, straight truck owner-operator, solo operation
Panther Expedited Services
· APU
· Leyman Liftgate
· A minimum of 300HP
· A minimum of 860 lb/ft. of torque
· Allison automatic transmission - "I've got an FL70 with 1,057,000, miles on the engine and the Allison. I've never done anything to that trans except change the filters and fluid."
· Minimum 84" sleeper - "It's almost like being at home!"
· Single bed - "The single beds are actually larger than a twin bed."
· Sink, Microwave, Fridge, Flat panel TV, DVD
· Low profile tires - "That'll keep the truck's height down and get you under some of those bridges."
· Rollup door - "I like a rollup because when you're in bad weather you can go inside the docks and open it."
· Tool boxes - "The larger, the better."
· Aluminum wheels
· Mud flaps - "I want them in the front of the fenders to keep the mud and junk off the tool boxes."
· Power windows and door locks
· Gulf Coast filter - "I've got 470,000 miles on my last reman engine with Gulf Coast filter and it's still holding very good oil pressure. I believe in the G.C. filter system."
· Premium seats
Ben and Melanie Easters, tractor-trailer owner-operators, team operation
Landstar Express America
· 84" sleeper
· Leyman Liftgate
· Generator - "I don't care much for the generators we have now so I will probably go with a different brand."
· Tag axle
· Vorad Anti-Collision System - "It tells you when you're too close to another vehicle as well as giving you an image of a vehicle in front of you. If someone pulls out in front of you, it will show up on the system and it helps with accident investigation."
Bob and Linda Caffee, straight truck owner-operators, team operation
FedEx Custom Critical
· Bigger motor
· Engine brake
· Class 8 platform
· Automatic chain system
· RigMaster generator
· Leyman Liftgate
· Tag Axle
· Reefer
· Gaucho bed
· Bigger sink and countertop
· Swivel seats in the front
· Better insulation
· Hardwood floors
· Flat floor between cab and sleeper
· More storage
· Surround sound and positional TV
· Stainless tool boxes
· More LED's
· Minimum of 5-hinges on barn doors
· Powered landing legs
Cheri Heppner, cargo van owner-operator, solo operation
Panther Expedited Services
· Not a Dodge Van - "I honestly didn't know when I bought my current van (Dodge) why no one drives a Dodge. Now, I do! (Because of the shorter door height than other makes)."
· Sleeper unit - "I have a bulkhead in my current van and I feel safer and more secure with it.
· Passenger seat removed - "I would have one of those micro-fridge combinations. I don't care for fast food - I like to eat in the van."
· XM Satellite Radio - "I did a head-to-head comparison with Sirius and I think XM has the programming I want."
David and Patty Jo Jaynes - straight truck owner-operators, team operation
FedEx Custom Critical White Glove
· Larger sleeper - "When you're on the road for long periods of time, you need more space."
· More cupboard space
· Running water - "When you're stuck in a holding area somewhere and you've been running hard but there's no place to clean up, you can at least get a "Marine" bath. You can brush your teeth and clean up a little bit. I don't have to have hot water but I want running water."
· Large fridge w/freezer - "We don't cook on the road so we like to take enough fresh food to take care of our snacks."
· Powered landing gear - "We're getting older and our shoulders don't work as well."
· Tag axle
· Leyman Liftgate with remote control - "If David is out on the truck alone and has a White Glove load that needs a Leyman Liftgate, he can operate the Leyman liftgate alone."
· Class 7 chassis - "Our Sterling Acterra has really done the job and with our tag axle, we can carry heavier loads."
· Porta-potty - "You can get them at Wal-Mart, K-Mart and places like that. You can slide them under the bunk and they're no muss, no fuss. Flying J's and rest areas have dumping stations."
· Satellite TV
· Generator - I would never have another truck without a generator. You save on fuel and in some of these states that have idling restrictions; they will allow you to run the generator instead of idling.
· Covered ceiling fan - "Our last ceiling fan had a problem with leaks, so we insist on one that's covered with a dome."