A few years ago, our annual Classy Truck roundup featured some out-of-this-world rigs … What comes to mind were extreme use of chrome accents, way-out retro interiors and one service truck with a wild purple and yellow paint job and custom vertical-hinged cab doors. Some pumpers were tricking out their work trucks to the same detail that they restored that 1968 Pontiac GTO muscle car they prized for Sunday joyrides.
Did the hot economy of the times play a role in how pumpers were speccing out their new trucks? Maybe. Riding the housing boom in the mid-2000s probably made the cool factor of those vertical doors a little harder to pass up.
For whatever reason, the theme for the 2011 crop of Classy Trucks could be called Bold and Basic. What these rigs may give up in bling they make up for in handsome detailing and pure functionality on a work site. They utilize the best in paint and graphics, as well as superior vacuum tank and pump technology to get the job done efficiently.
CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE
Inside this issue, we’ve prepared the 6th annual Classy Truck of the Year competition, and we invite you to take part in the fun. Simply review all the photos and information about the 12 trucks, choose your favorite, and then go online at www.pumper.com and vote. Reader votes, along with judging from members of the COLE Publishing staff, will be used to pick the winner.
Just as in past years, the winning truck will be featured on the cover of the February 2012 issue of Pumper, which will be distributed at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International in Indianapolis. It’s fitting to showcase the industry’s top truck at the Expo, where the concepts behind some of the best rigs are born.
What is interesting is that even during what some still consider a lagging economy, we’re receiving more Classy Truck submissions than ever. I’m hopeful this is a sign that an economic recovery is indeed under way. I also think it’s a sign that, even in tough economic times, the work pumpers do is important and essential to a clean environment.
Pumpers are seeing heightened demand for their services to justify replacing or refurbishing service trucks. They know rotating newer trucks into the fleet and rebuilding their rides regularly improves efficiency. They also know that good-looking service trucks are a sign of a successful and well-run company.
KEEP ’EM COMING
Congratulations to all the pumpers who sent photos of their trucks over the past year. Your willingness to share the photos and details about what went into building the trucks serves to help raise the quality of septic service trucks nationwide. And thanks go out for all of the Pumper readers over the years who’ve taken the time to view the contest and vote for their favorite trucks.
And for all of you who are planning on adding or rebuilding a truck in 2012, please consider sending photos of your new rig to be considered for the next Classy Truck of the Year contest. It’s as easy as snapping some photos and sending them, along with details of your latest truck, to me at editor@pumper.com.
