Many truckers may think no one really appreciates the challenges they face picking up and delivering products that drive the American economy. Do shippers and receivers really understand the sacrifices each trucker makes?
Many truck shows feature customized rigs — those muraled and chromed beauties that compete for trophies and bragging rights. Some are derisively known as “trailer queens,” a term applied to trucks brought to beauty shows inside trailers. These pampered specimens are limited mileage, nonworking trucks with nary a speck of road grime on them.
Listen to Chuck Seekamp talk about the Civil War and you might think he’d been a Southern soldier in a past life. In fact, he’s a Confederate in his present life. The retired trucker “went Confederate” some 15 years ago, after experiencing his first Civil War Re-enactment.
I always wanted to drive. When I turned 18, my parents were pretty chagrined when I went to truck driving school. They wanted me to go to college. It was tough at first, but I loved it. I drove for almost 30 years and retired in 2002. I was ready to try other things.
Drivers who stay in a regional operation where the climate is fairly consistent — like in San Diego, for example —don’t have to think much about how the changing seasons impact their trucks. But the majority of truckers do need to prepare their rigs to operate in colder weather.
