This profile is part of a multi-part series in which Overdrive is publishing stories on the five Pride & Polish Best of Show winners from the 2018 Great American Trucking Show in August.
This 1995 Kenworth W900L owned by V-Max Transportation picked up Best of Show honors in the Limited Mileage Combo category at the Great American Trucking Show Pride & Polish in August. (Photo by Jim Allen/365Trucking.com)Zeeland, Michigan-based V-Max Transportation and company owner Dave Van Haitsma rebuilt this 1995 Kenworth W900L after buying it in 2014 and tearing it down to the frame rails. Dave’s son, Ryan, came up with a color scheme that matches the fleet’s other trucks.
The whole truck, from the engine – a Cat 3406B with an 18-speed – to the interior to the trailer, features the same color theme. When V-Max ordered the trailer, they stripped it down and had it painted to match the truck. The whole truck build was done in-house except for the paint and took around six months.
Some upgrades to the truck during the rebuild include a new Jones Performance hood, a new lift bumper, Bad Ass Custom Truck Parts fenders, a Lincoln Chrome exhaust, a deck plate with flip-up hookups and front and rear T-bars.
Dave said the truck’s name, “Backlash,” refers to comments he’s heard over the years at truck shows. “There’s always backlash for whoever wins,” he said.
The steering wheel and dash panel of the truck are painted to match its exterior.
The floors and seats also feature the same colors and design as the exterior of the rig.
Even the upholstery is patterned to match the exterior of the truck.
The engine, a 3406B Cat with an 18-speed is all painted to keep up with the rest of the truck’s color scheme.
The truck is named “Backlash” because of comments V-Max owner Dave Van Haitsma has heard at truck shows over the years about the rig.
When V-Max ordered the 2016 Utility trailer, they stripped it down and painted it with the company’s color scheme, from the frame rails up.
