Owner-operator’s in-house built ’72 Pete

Apr 10, 2015

Owner-operator Chris Jonsen says he built up this 1972 Peterbilt in his personal shop. The frame-stretched rig is powered by a 540-hp Big Cam Cummins.

Click here to see more Reader Rig uploads and to submit a photo of your truck.

Just how high has owner-ops' truck-trailer maintenance cost moved?

According to ATBS, in 2025 owner-operators spent upward of $14,000 on average. That's 15 cents of maintenance for every single mile run. What's your set-aside for truck and trailer upkeep? If you haven’t boosted the number in a while, there's no time like the present.

The 2007 379 is powered by a Caterpillar C15 Acert, with a 13-speed automated manual transmission and 3.08 rears.

Meeting a namesake: Dills Transportation's hand-throttle '07 Pete cleaned up in first show

'We have just bought a truck and are trying to get insurance to get it home and the company we were going to use will not accept a Canadian CDL for insurance purposes although FMCSA says Canadian and Mexican licenses are reciprocal,' the Bakers said.

Chaotic DMV ICE raid, 'BS' Canadian CDLs: FMCSA's non-domiciled ban, one month later

Like-original '76 Peterbilt COE stands proud, bingo plate and all

DataQs reform: FMCSA bans issuing-officer decisions on challenges, puts rules on states

Just how high has owner-ops' truck-trailer maintenance cost moved?

More episodes »

The Business Manual for Owner-Operators

Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the Partners in Business playbook.

Access the Playbook