Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

I wanted to share this link with you so you can check out some pretty cool stuff about the LoneStar Harley Edition.

This page has everything from pictures of the truck, to specs on the truck, even a code to get the background on your cell phone. There is also a screen saver and wallpapers available for you computer; as well as, videos, and a brochure on the truck.

An example of the specs:

Wheelbase: 6 x 4 = 234″ to 270″ Fuel Tank:Dual under cab 150 gal tanks, 26″ – polished* & non-polished aluminum 2009

Dual BOX 150 gal tanks – 26″ – polished and non-polished

Though I have searched on the internet to see who this year’s winners were, I am sad to report, I could not find it anywhere. So I thought I would throw up a few of the pictures of some the trucks that took part in the Paul K. Young truck beauty championship (aka Pride and Polish).

First we have the Bat-Mobile-Truck. What else CAN you call it? And this one is not as bad the innovative *new* truck being designed by Freightliner (that really did look like something that had escaped from Gotham City!).

Next, we have a Dodge. Being raised a Mopar girl (my first car was a 1974 Plymouth Scamp with a 318 – I was the only girl that had chrome under her hood in school ha!) I just had to get a picture of this.

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Drive and Deliver – have you seen it yet? If not I highly recommend it. I remember seeing some items on it last year on the blog. Read a little bit of it and watched for the DVD in the truck stops but was never lucky enough to find one.

I can proudly say I now own a copy and it was even autographed by Steven Donaldson and Chris LeCount. I had the honor and privilege of meeting these two men after a viewing of the documentary: Drive and Deliver. The documentary really hit home. Anyone that has not seen this documentary yet, I highly recommend finding it and watching it or even buying it for someone who does not quite understand what it is like to lead a truck driver’s life or be in a truck driver’s life for that matter.

We started our day at 6:00 am and headed to the fairgrounds. It was sprinkling rain and old man winter decided he wanted to return. By the time we arrived at the fairgrounds though the rain had ceased. We decided to go and look at the trucks that were parked in various places snapping pictures here and there of ones that we liked. We perused the truck show and were shocked to find that Kenworth and Peterbilt were nowhere to be found at the show as in years past. I even ran into my favorite diesel mechanic, Virgil, who I had not seen in five years. It was a pretty good day but we were ready getting tired!

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I just arrived home from the trip to MATS. For us, it is over with for the year. We were able to get out this morning and check out the Pride and Shine rigs because the rain finally stopped, but with it came some chilly weather! Needless to say, there was a lot of polishing going on!

The Lonestar, Harley edition, was open to the public today and the line (more like mob crowd) was huge. I thought you might like to see the inside of it:

The steering wheel of course!! Read the rest of this entry »

I am so honored to have been at the Navistar event last night where the Special Edition Lonestar was unveiled. The roar of the motorcycles, the smoke, the flashing lights, the music, all well worth the wait of listening to the improvements on the new engine (more on that later!).

So, sit back and relax because here it comes!

This special edition LoneStar is a collaboration between Harley Davidson and International. Some of the features include an office suite bunk that is 42″, a numbered shifter with the option of having your name on it, Harley Davidson Insignia on the truck, and Harley Davidson headlights. The truck is pure chrome. Oh yes, I drooled, thank goodness I had a napkin!

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I have arrived in Louisville, Kentucky. Ok, technically, I am in Brooks, Kentucky about seven miles south of Louisville. I’m a cheapskate, what can I say? I arrived well ahead of time too. That’s always a good thing! Follow the big trucks and you’ll get where you need to go safely!

When I went into the hotel it took over fifteen minutes for the guy to the come the desk. Even after I nicely yelled down the hall “HELLO??” No complaints about the room other than the one pillow with drool on it – yuck! Which by the way, all of this was taken care of, so I’m not complaining anymore since they took care of me!

Enough about that, it’s late and guess what? The *business* center computer here at the hotel (stupid inverter in the truck burnt up my laptop) does not have a USB slot on it. I am so very disappointed so pictures will have to wait until tomorrow morning (hopefully) when I get back to the truck show!

Upon arriving at the Fairgrounds tonight, what did I see sitting out in front of Freedom Hall? THREE International trucks !

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The excitement of what is to come at the truck show is keeping me up tonight. I get the privilege of reporting the big news starting tomorrow night. I cannot begin to express how I feel about everything!

I have my bags packed and camera ready. After clearing a ton of school related activity pictures I was happy to see I can take 1000 pictures over the next day and a half. But don’t worry , I will not bombard you with quite that many!

I am looking forward to see what will be displayed at the Navistar/International booth this year. After the announcement of the Maxx Power components today I cannot help but wonder if they will have one of these units on display. Of course I do not need to tell you if they do you can count on pictures!

I’m looking forward to what the color schemes will be this year for the competitors as well. I have seen blue, red, and of course green for the environmentally friendly trucks.

I am also anxious to see how many drivers will be there as well. Usually the place is packed but with the way the economy is I cannot help but wonder if many drivers will be able to afford to take the time to go to the show. I’m hoping that they do!

But for now I am going to try and get some sleep since I leave in about 11 hours to go to the show and the big event. Be sure to check back for a report from the big event. If you are a night owl like I am, check back late Wednesday night. If not, check back Thursday morning.

Remember to visit the Navistar/International Booth and tell them Donna sent you! Also, be on the lookout for me at the show!! I’ll have my camera with me so maybe I can get some pictures of some of the faces that read the blog!

Be safe!

You just HAVE to love a truck that has THAT much shine!!

With the official opening of MATS (Mid America Truck Show) in just two days, Navistar announced today that they will be offiering a new line of proprietary components called MAXX POWER.

MAXX Power will include factory installed components. Meaning that you now can get a Navistar brand truck with a factory installed APU. How nice would that be?

The press release stated: “MaxxPower products will include drive train and suspension components and options like auxiliary no-idle solutions. The first of an extensive line of MaxxPower offerings will be introduced to the public at the Mid-America Trucking Show this week. These offerings include the MaxxPower Front Air Suspension and MaxxPower Battery Powered HVAC No-Idle Solution, both available on the International ProStar® and LoneStar® tractors.  Visit: http://www.internationaltrucks.com.”

It will be interesting to see if they have any of these trucks (units) at the truck show!! Of course you know since I will be there, YOU will be the first to know since you read this blog!!

Remember the truck show starts on Thursday,March 19th and runs through Saturday, March 21st. Be sure to stop by the Navistar/International booth and tell them that I sent you! Also, look for me at the show!

I will be in the crowd on Thursday walking along looking at things just like anyone else but will be handing cards out on the blog.

I Can Hardly Contain Myself!! I am still counting down the days, the hours, the minutes, (you get the picture) to the truck show!

I am so ready to go this year. I have a notebook full of questions I want to ask people, trucks I want to see, and chrome to drool on!

As with anything that a person is excited about, I know Tuesday will bring little sleep for my trip on Wednesday. (Be sure to keep your eyes on here for special reports from me while I’m at the truck show!!) I’ll be tossing and turning all night in anticipation of what Wednesday and Thursday will bring for me.

I am anxious to see what colors the major truck companies will have this year. I want to try and actually get close to a Lonestar so I can do more than take pictures of the truck (only to be blinded by the BEAUTIFUL chrome it exhibits proudly!), I want to be able to get into the truck!

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