One Cool Truck & 5 Million Men

Big rigs are a mystery for most of us. We loved them as kids and see them everywhere but what do we really know about them?

One way to find some answers about big trucks would be to buy one so I asked Jim Edmundson, general manager of Southwest International Trucks in McKinney to help me pick one out.

“We first ask a lot of questions to try and match the customer’s needs with the right vehicle,” says Edmundson. “What product are you hauling? How much weight will you be carrying at one time? How far are you hauling it and how often? These all help narrow the choices down.”

Let’s suppose that plastic army men are making a big comeback because of recent news coverage. I have decided to manufacture them here in my garage and ship them across country. The demand is there so I think I’m going to need a big truck. Now what?

“Most of our new trucks are custom orders so we can finish out the tractor to work for you,” says Edmundson. “A company concerned with fuel economy will add extra aerodynamic cowls and different gearing ratios to limit speed and help mileage. An owner operator who is up against time constraints might be more concerned with speed than economy.”

The new economical truck might run at 7 mph while the speedier version might get 4 mph. A big truck would have a 150 gallon fuel tank and a long haul sleeper would probably have a second 150 gallon tank. Some quick math shows that a long haul driver could run 1,200 miles on 300 gallons and a fill up would cost about $850.

Unlike a car dealership, Southwest does not have a long line of new trucks and models out front.
“It would be unusual for an individual to come in and pick a truck off the lot,” he explains. “The base model and engine may be the same but one client may be hauling rocks from a quarry across town each day while someone else is hauling frozen foods across country. Every one is different.”

A good portion of Southwest’s business comes from parts and servicing the trucks, explains Tim Dreiling, a fleet parts sales manager. “Federal safety regulations on trucks and the mileage they run up demand frequent maintenance. States have additional rules that cover everything from weight to tires and lights. A failed Department of Transportation inspection pulls the truck off the road immediately and that’s not good for the driver or the owner of the cargo.”

Orders for my new plastic army men are taking off so I want the biggest and baddest that International has to offer.

Edmundson recommends the Lone Star Sleeper – Harley Davidson Edition, a truck that resembles a chrome freight train. Depending on the accessories, he says he can set me up for about $155,000 and the truck would be delivered in about 60 days.

The Car and Driver Magazine review for the Lone Star says that the 550 horsepower, 22,000 lb. behemoth “scares the bejeebers out of anyone in its path. The truck’s review goes on to say that it looks like Mad Max rolled into town with a giant chrome attracting magnet.”

A new Lone Star without the Harley trim would cost about $142,000 and a reliable used truck with 1 million miles could run between $80K and $110K based on its condition.

Unable to make a decision, I thanked Jim and Tim and headed home to do the math. If one 10 lb. box held 12 bags of 60 army men each, how many men could I fit in one 80,000 lb. trailer load? The answer is just 5.6 million. Maybe I should just call UPS.

“It Looked Like a Classic Car To Me”

What is it about classic automobiles that draw such attention? I can spot the make and model of a vintage car from a half mile away on the expressway.

“That was just a 58 Dodge Polaris that went by,” I exclaim to my family. They’re not listening. Mrs. Carroll is only mildly interested and the kids are plugged into their Mp3 worlds. It’s their loss.

My first car was truly a classic. My father and I found a 1957 Chevy Belair (2-door) that an elderly woman was selling. It was 1976 and I would have bought it even if it had three wheels. My father was more patient. He scrutinized the car as fathers are required to do when kids are overanxious to spend their money. Then he declared it a good deal for $250 and we bought it.

I proudly pulled the faded green classic out of the driveway and down the street hoping someone was watching – they weren’t. My first lesson is classic car ownership came five minutes later on the Garden State Parkway, a death trap by Texas standards. The car drifted across the narrow lanes with little concern for my steering. I quickly learned that a rapid back and forth motion of the oversized steering wheel kept the car aimed down the center of the lane. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal also helped slow the green machine down.

Despite its flaws, it was officially rated as a cool car on campus that fall. I probably drove it 30,000 miles over the next four years although that could be disputed since the speedometer never worked. Except for a single encounter with a Tennessee State Trooper, the lack of a speedometer wasn’t much of a setback.

The finned wonder suffered from the same problems that most “northern cars” experienced over time – rust. The car was reasonably solid but the floorboards had rusted through from below. Lifting the floor mats gave a fast paced view of the interstate and memories of Fred Flintstone starting his car. The tube radio gave off more heat than the heater and the front end continued to loosen up but it ran like a rocket.

Practicality won over coolness after we got married and I sold the Chevy to a car guy who planned to restore it.

Years later I impulsively bought a 1953 Buick Custom in an attempt to capture the fun I’d had with my old ’57. Instead it seemed like I captured one of Rommell’s tanks. The car rumbled with loose exhausts and smelled like its upholstery had been treated with motor oil. I should have known I was out my league when I couldn’t the ignition switch. It was conveniently located under the gas pedal. I kept the car for two months before admitting I had made a foolish mistake. As I mentioned earlier this year, it is hard to buy back a memory.

Still, I gaze wistfully at old cars, especially ’57 Chevies, but I find them better suited for car shows than my garage.

Speaking of car shows, the Foundation for Allen Schools hosts Allen’s first Customs and Classic Car, Motorcycle and Truck Show this Saturday in the Allen High School parking lot. The show, which is free to the public, is a drive-in event for custom and classic car owners who compete in numerous categories including a People’s Choice Award. Bring the family and cruise the car show on May 17 from 10 am – 2 pm. The price is right and you might find my Chevy there. I’m sure it’s been painted so just check under the floor mats.