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Members of our groups occasionally send us in photos and write-ups of their custom rigs, eye-catching RVs and motorhomes, and outlandish and weird vehicles, and we get a chance to share them with the other members. You can click the photos to make them bigger.
This one is by Dayle Greening. “This beauty was a few years in the making for my Dad who just turned 78 years old.
“It’s started with the chassis, which is from a one ton Ford Econoline Van. The body itself is two different trucks. It’s a mix of a 1953 Ford COE and a 1954 Ford Pickup. It has a 100 gallon gas tank placed between the can and the box. My Dad is a body man and fabricated, painted and customized this truck to his liking all on his own.”
Rivian Electric Truck
The Rivian Electric Truck seems like it would be something of a conundrum for the regular truck buyer. Most trucks these days are large, loud, and powerful, capable of hauling thousands of pounds of materials whether for work or pleasure. An electric truck conjures up the image, at least at first, of a quiet, smaller vehicle. Rivian, however, has decided to change the game when it comes to capable work trucks and recreational trucks with the induction of its newest vehicle, the R1T.
The Rivian name may be new to most of us, but the startup is already making waves in the automobile industry, most recently at the 2018 LA Auto Show where it not only introduced the R1T, but their electric version of an SUV, the R1S. Another way Rivian has made a name for itself is in its decision to retain the rights to sales and services instead of extending that possibility to car dealerships. The reasoning behind this is the knowledge that the world of sales has been changing and that buyers are now more savvy when it comes to vehicles and their pricing.
The electric truck is scheduled to be rolled out and ready to drive off the lot in 2020, while the SUV will arrive one year later. While dealerships won’t have the traditional relationship with the company that others have come to expect, there will still be ways in which dealerships will be involved, though these details have yet to emerge.
With a 55-inch bed and a choice of three different battery packs, the vehicle may just change people’s minds about the likelihood of an electric future. Its power derives from four different electric motors, which, when combined, will create about 820 pound-feet of torque as well as 750hp. The truck will also, depending on the battery, be able to travel 300 to 400 miles (with two of the three options) before needing another charge.
At this critical moment in time, it is a good point in which to stop and reconsider our usage of fossil fuels and look into other ways we can still live our lives relatively easily without having to waste precious resources. It might take some time to adjust to the idea of quieter, less powerful vehicles that need to be recharged instead of refilled, but it is an idea worth promoting, especially with the continued trend toward a complete drain of our resources.
Whether you support alternative means of energy or you think what we have is good enough already, I urge you to explore options like the Rivien vehicles when purchasing a new model. In order to enjoy our world and to make it enjoyable for the next generation, we will need to make some changes (and perhaps sacrifices) so that the world is around for quite a bit longer. One of these changes doesn’t have to be horrible, however. The Rivien R1T looks like it packs quite a punch, with modern, clean lines, bright lights, and the ability to drive us toward the future.
Rotating Dump Truck Beds
While most of us have seen dump trucks used to haul gravel and other construction materials, what you may not be aware of is that dump trucks are used in many other capacities, and sometimes, those capacities warrant a rotator on the truck bed.
Some companies sell rotating truck beds specifically for special jobs. Hulcher Professional Services, Inc., for example, sells dump trucks with rotating beds to railroads because it is easier to turn the truck bed and dump materials than turn the truck this way and that for just the perfect angle. The rotator can turn 180 degrees, which provides the driver with many options for dumping.
Some rotating dump trucks are even capable of going off-road, if equipped with hi-rail gear. They can travel to remote locations and dump sites, whether they’re hauling things for lumber companies, mining groups, or construction projects. Tartaglia Railroad Services offers custom built rotating dump trucks for their clients, as well as maintenance, such as alignment, inspections, and oil changes.
It’s worth getting to know the big names in the business if you’re looking to join the market, especially if you’re in an area where railroads are the main business. Names like Tartaglia, Hulcher, Danella, V&H, Deere, and ACW Railway Company are all worth checking out at least to get an idea of what you’re looking for, what it needs to do, and which place is the closest or offers the best package deal.
Of course, you may not be a working professional who needs to upgrade to a rotary dump truck, you may just happen to be a hobbyist or enthusiast, or someone looking to purchase a dump truck and refinish it to your own specifications without the need to haul railroad materials. You can find vehicles and information on the rotating dump truck types online at places like Ebay, Amazon, and manufacturers’ websites. If you want to try one out before purchasing, there are companies such as the above mentioned Danella that provide rentals.
Rotary dump trucks usually come with a diesel engine, engine brake as well as air brakes, a tandem axle, and manual transmission. The GVWR varies, but the type sold and/or rented by Danella typically falls between 56,000 and 66,000. The fuel tank typically holds around 100 gallons.
When looking at the various types of rotary dump trucks, you will want to pay attention to the specialties and equipment that comes with each model, whether you’re wanting something that can haul long-distance or short, through mountains or around cities, or just to show off at the local truck show.
