Yamko’s custom Peterbilt 388

Jul 20, 2013

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No. 136, as this 2009 Peterbilt 388 is known to shipping container hauler Yamko Truck Lines, based in Long Beach, Calif., is one of two trucks from a purchase that resulted in a few Best of Show victories at Pride & Polish events in Las Vegas and California — those coming after fleet manager John Gonzales, seen above in the video, and his crew had time to work their customizing magic on the two rigs.

Click here to see the full story on Gonzales’ truck, along with a photo gallery.

Ammex won an 'Operational Excellence' award recently for its regional service to one of its primary customers, Amazon. Its fleet is made up principally of Volvos and Freightliners but also some other owner-operated units, like this Kenworth.

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Four in 10 owner-operators continue to go without health insurance, yet for small fleets, low-cost health benefits are increasingly attractive as a competitive feature. So-called health-share alternatives to traditional insurance are an option.

More trucks competing with fewer spot market loads in the near term will put downward pressure on rates. That could continue through the year as shifting consumer habits and natural market cycles contribute to a bearish environment for spot rates.

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Then-trucker Mike Draper behind the wheel of Evel Knievel's Mack haul rig in the 1970s.

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The 1978 Peterbilt 352 was a model who in earlier years had been driven by Bowerman's father, who passed several years earlier. This one, purchased from a prior owner in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has origins in Illinois, Bowerman said, and is powered by a Cat 3406A run through a 15-speed transmission, 190-inch wheelbase.

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