So I Am Wondering What Your Favorite Truck Is And Why?!

Victor chompin' at the bit:

I can't wait to see the rest of the favorites and G-Town where are your photo's of your Liked truckes?

Haven't forgot...been through most of my photos...have several I will post.

Thanks for the reminder.

Haven't forgot...been through most of my photos...have several I will post.

Thanks for the reminder.

Haha your welcome and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

My favorite truck to drive is the one I use every day, 2016 Cascadia 113 w/52" sleeper. This example is one of about 8 non-smoking trucks the slip-seat crew uses on the Walmart account. The SMURFs are not much to look at, however they’re really great to drive. For the type of work I do, requiring numerous backs (at times 8 per day) and tight quarter maneuvering, it's the perfect setup maximizing driver performance. The shorter wheelbase and tighter turning radius enable quick work of the myriad of complex backing situations faced on the WM account. It's also lighter than the condo sleepers, allowing for a heavier 46k+ payload that typically occurs on backhauls of milk, soft drinks, water or other beverages. Would not trade it for anything,...it's a money maker and that's what really counts.

Now for my favorite trucks to look at? A whole different kettle of fish. Quick back story, I joined the National Historic Truck Society about 20 years ago and became an avid photographer of restored trucks like the B-61 schoolbus sleeper Dragon posted earlier in this thread. Attending about a dozen and national meets has afforded me a photo collection with examples of just about every truck manufacturer in the last 75 years. So, yes I gravitate to the older stuff from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I have had the pleasure to drive a few of these older beasts,…and without getting into details I am thankful for current technology specifically suspensions, transmissions, and yes air conditioning. But to me, there is nothing quite like the sound of a Detroit 12V92T-2 cycle diesel exhaust note resonating through twin-stacks…unmistakable.

So below is my favorite dump truck of all time. Dump configurations will always have a special place in my heart because at the ripe young age of 18, my first truck driving experience was in a dump truck, a single screw 1968 R-190 all-wheel drive with only a power assist on the steering. A workout. I then learned how to drive a 10-speed twin screw 1974 International Fleetstar 2070A, an original IHC truck before the re-org. The Robin Egg blue Pete is my ultimate dump truck…built in 1970, it’s a 359 wide nose dump & transfer box trailer combo. Owned by John Guss of Salt Lake City Utah I photographed this truck about 16 years ago when the ATHS had their National Meet at Valley Forge PA. I shot every truck that day, over 200. The photos do not do it justice. Many of the owners flatbed their prizes but John drove his from Utah with a following vehicle.

More of my favorites to follow…enjoy.

Sorry Gang,...typo; meant American Truck Historic Society.

www.aths.org

Even though I never got to truck in the times of old I still miss our old trucks like you Mr. G-Town I really do. I was able for a short time to drive my acquaintance friends 1980 Peterbilt 559 with the C-16 diesel. I miss the grunt of that kind of a diesel roaring! They sounded so great! Nothing like it! I can't wait to see more of your favorites!

My favorite truck to drive is the one I use every day, 2016 Cascadia 113 w/52" sleeper. This example is one of about 8 non-smoking trucks the slip-seat crew uses on the Walmart account. The SMURFs are not much to look at, however they’re really great to drive. For the type of work I do, requiring numerous backs (at times 8 per day) and tight quarter maneuvering, it's the perfect setup maximizing driver performance. The shorter wheelbase and tighter turning radius enable quick work of the myriad of complex backing situations faced on the WM account. It's also lighter than the condo sleepers, allowing for a heavier 46k+ payload that typically occurs on backhauls of milk, soft drinks, water or other beverages. Would not trade it for anything,...it's a money maker and that's what really counts.

Now for my favorite trucks to look at? A whole different kettle of fish. Quick back story, I joined the National Historic Truck Society about 20 years ago and became an avid photographer of restored trucks like the B-61 schoolbus sleeper Dragon posted earlier in this thread. Attending about a dozen and national meets has afforded me a photo collection with examples of just about every truck manufacturer in the last 75 years. So, yes I gravitate to the older stuff from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I have had the pleasure to drive a few of these older beasts,…and without getting into details I am thankful for current technology specifically suspensions, transmissions, and yes air conditioning. But to me, there is nothing quite like the sound of a Detroit 12V92T-2 cycle diesel exhaust note resonating through twin-stacks…unmistakable.

So below is my favorite dump truck of all time. Dump configurations will always have a special place in my heart because at the ripe young age of 18, my first truck driving experience was in a dump truck, a single screw 1968 R-190 all-wheel drive with only a power assist on the steering. A workout. I then learned how to drive a 10-speed twin screw 1974 International Fleetstar 2070A, an original IHC truck before the re-org. The Robin Egg blue Pete is my ultimate dump truck…built in 1970, it’s a 359 wide nose dump & transfer box trailer combo. Owned by John Guss of Salt Lake City Utah I photographed this truck about 16 years ago when the ATHS had their National Meet at Valley Forge PA. I shot every truck that day, over 200. The photos do not do it justice. Many of the owners flatbed their prizes but John drove his from Utah with a following vehicle.

More of my favorites to follow…enjoy.

G-Town,

I'm glad to know that you are not only a trucker but a truck enthusiast....AND A DETROIT FAN!!!

I honestly tell the other young guys that if they have never heard the roar of a 2 stroke Detroit then they must you tube some runners that have those power plants. Not to mention the old 2 strokers were the soundtrack of Rubber Ducks Mack and the Western Star Gobblin Truck in Maximum Overdrive.

I think it is really neat they allocated some set back axle tractors for your account, that says miles about how well your FM's listen to their drivers IMO. I only ever see them pulling tankers around but man, those things can damn near get at a 90 like a cab over! Running some of the grocery store accounts up here with a columbia that had its 5th wheel permanently stuck in the far hole made for some difficult backs. Had to throw the steers over the curb more times than I can count....Not all of us have daycabs!

I think someday I am going to buy and restore an old single axle tractor. Considering the massive startup cost and commitment to be an O/O I really just want the toy. Perhaps a W900A if I could find one but anything with a 2 stroke, big butterfly hood, and 5+4 twinstick ought to be a fun beast to take the misses out to dinner in HAHA!!

P.S. Ever make it to Walcott? I got made it there this last summer and got some really good pictures at the show and in the museum.

I have driven several truck brands...

Recent trucks are 2012 Mack Pinnacle.. It is ok, nothing special 2001 Western Star.. Loved that truck but it was pretty hacked up from the owner. 2007 Kenworth W900.. Good truck but not a lot of leg room. I am short but I still need to be able to stretch my legs more than that W900 would allow. Lately I have been driving a 96 Freightliner FLD 120 and I love this truck. Not a lot of room in the sleeper but I really do not need a lot. I have now decided that this is my favorite of all the ones I have driven.

That is a very nice truck that Freightliner FLD Pat. That was definitely one of my favorites. I really don't like the newer Freightliners as they just don't look nearly as nice as the older ones! I used to always want a Freightliner and nothing else but they quickly change body styles and so I started looking at other brands. Stickers I do agree about the Detroit's they sound amazing!

Of the thousands of trucks I have photographed, Brockway is perhaps my favorite. The company was originally founded as a manufacturer of passenger coaches, they transitioned to a custom truck manufacturer designed for heavy-duty applications, on-road and off road. Mack Trucks purchased them and continued developing the brand in Cortland NY through 1977. Although I have many favorite old and new trucks, Brockway due to its "custom" nature and obscurity is my fallback when pressed for an answer to "what is your favorite?" Here is a wiki-link to a brief history of the company: Brockway Motor Trucks

Here are two of my favorite Brockway trucks:

I photographed this truck during the 2000 ATHS convention held in Valley Forge PA. Built in 1947, this model 260XW had a 220 HP normally aspirated Cummins engine. Completed in 1997, this was a frame-up restoration, one of the best I have ever seen. Impeccable details including mohair seats, genuine wood dash inserts and an interesting rear lift-axle. I kick myself for not taking interior photos. The owner Brian Brown, stated he had over $80,000 and 5 years of work invested in the truck. Nice toy. I have since seen this truck at several shows.

Also taken during the 2000 ATHS convention, the second example built in 1970 model designation "Husky" H360 TLY, is a favorite because it's an excellent representation of the heavy duty, work-a-day truck Brockway was famous for. Again an impeccable restoration, however the lack of chrome and gingerbread is consistent with a typical “working” configuration. The best part of this truck is the power plant, a Detroit 12 cylinder 2-cycle 500HP, supercharged engine that could be heard for miles. Owned by Peter Grimm.

I have a huge catalogue of truck photos...if anyone is interested I will post others and include some history.

Yes please show us more trucks and share more history!! I love the history and photos of the old trucks. I wish we still had two cycle engines in our truckes today. I wish we still have 12 cyclinder trucks lol. Boy would I love to hear that truck roar.