Let the beauty pageant begin! It's time for the 7th annual Classy Truck of the Year competition. Over the past year, we've showcased some of the best new and refurbished septic service trucks across North American, from Eastern Ontario to western Washington state, in view of the Pacific Ocean.

If the economy remained in a slump over the past year, all the new trucks entered in the monthly Classy Truck contest seem to indicate a resiliency in the liquid waste industry. The 12 contractors selected for the regular feature in Pumper were either replacing an older rig or adding a new service vehicle to their fleets. And a look around this virtual garage of top trucks shows they weren't "plain Jane'' vehicles. They offered a lot of pumping pizzazz.

Which is the best of the 2012 crop of Classy Trucks? You'll help make that determination. Your choice, along with the votes of a panel of judges at COLE Publishing, will choose the Classy Truck of the Year, and land that rig and its owner on the cover of the February 2013 issue of Pumper, the issue distributed at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International.

Take a good look at the entries, then head over to www.pumper.com/classy to vote for your favorite. You have until Dec. 21.

Goulet Septic Pumping & Design

Green Valley, Ontario, Canada

Rene Goulet added this all-metallic green 2012 International WorkStar with 4,000-gallon steel tank and Wallenstein1054 dual-cooled pump from Vacutrux Ltd. The truck features a 30-ton four-stage hydraulic dump system, a Giant 2,500-psi pressure washer and 100-gallon stainless steel freshwater tank. Driver Abram Penner uses the truck to pump holding and septic tanks, as well as grease traps.

Duncan & Daughters Septic Service

Bardstown, Ky.

Danny Duncan runs this red and white 2004 Ford F-650 with 2,000-gallon steel tank, 240 hp diesel engine and Allison auto transmission and a PN84 Jurop pump. The truck has diamond-plate accents, Alcoa aluminum wheels and matching chrome taillight covers. Duncan, with help from daughter Taylor Duncan, runs a part-time pumping operation.

H & R Complete Inc.

Newman Lake, Wash.

Herb and Rob Dollar purchased a 2002 International tractor with a Caterpillar C-12 engine and 18-speed transmission and took it to T2 Services Inc. for a build out. The truck, used for septic and grease trap pumping, has a drop axle, 3,300-gallon steel tank, Masport HXL 400 pump, and mountain and woodland graphics.

Buddy's Henrico Septic Tank Service

Mechanicsville, Va.

Buddy Pope bought a white Peterbilt 335 and had it built out by Amthor International with a 2,800-gallon aluminum tank. The rig is powered by a Paccar 300 hp engine married to a 6-speed Eaton Fuller transmission. Vacuum is provided by an NVE 367 Challenger pump. Pope runs the truck himself and pumps septic tanks and grease traps.

Soucy's Septic Service Inc.

Salem, N.H.

John Soucy purchased this red 2005 Sterling LT9500 quad-axle and had it outfitted by Vacutrux Ltd. with a dump body, 3,000-gallon steel tank and Wallenstein 40HVOA air-cooled pump. The truck is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 450 hp 6-cylinder diesel wed to an Allison 500 automatic transmission. The dump body is handy for hauling car wash waste sediment.

EZ Waste Systems Inc.

Westerly, R.I.

Rob Beck's blue and chrome 2006 Peterbilt 379 EXHD with flamed hood was built out by Amthor International. It has a 4,000-gallon aluminum tank and NVE 367 Challenger vacuum pump. The truck is powered by a Caterpillar C-15 powerplant and 18-speed Eaton Fuller transmission. Tricked out with many chrome accents, the rig is used mainly for residential septic work.

Austin's Pumping Service

Strafford, Mo.

Douglas Hurrelbrink's 2011 International 4300 was built out by KeeVac Industries, with the 2,000-gallon Progress aluminum tank getting vacuum from a Jurop RV360 liquid-cooled pump. The truck has a MaxxForce 7 powerplant tied to an Allison 2500 RDS 5-speed transmission. Hurrelbrink is the primary driver and most often cleans grease traps with the rig.

Funchion Septic Cleaning LLC

Olympia, Wash.

Michael and Debra Funchion's all-white, old-school, long-hood 1989 Peterbilt 337 was outfitted by Erickson Tank & Pump. It has a new 3,500-gallon steel tank, Masport 15 WV pump and drop axle. The truck is powered by a Cummins NTC 444 hp engine and 18-speed Eaton Fuller transmission. The truck is used mostly for residential septic service.

Mountain Top Portable Toilets

Averill Park, N.Y.

Mark Cioffi built out and painted this all-red 2005 Kenworth T300 himself. The 2,500-gallon steel tank was delivered by Wee Engineer Inc. The rig is powered by a Caterpillar C7 engine tied to a 6-speed Eaton Fuller transmission. Vacuum is provided by a Fruitland RCF500 pump with the Eliminator package. Cioffi is the primary driver, providing septic and grease trap service.

P.D. Quik Inc.

Mount Airy, N.C.

Donald Goins Jr. bought this yellow 1992 Peterbilt 11 years ago and had it converted into a heavy-duty septic hauler. D.A. Strictland strengthened the frame, then added a 4,000-gallon Keith Huber steel tank. The truck with 1.3 million miles and counting is powered by an N14 Red Top Cummins engine. Vacuum is provided by a 30-year-old Ochsner pump. The truck is used for septic tanks and car wash pits.

On-Site Sanitation LLC

Mount Vernon, Ohio

Chad Sims bought this Viper Red 2012 Peterbilt 337 rig with 2,400-gallon aluminum tank and Fruitland RCF500 pump as an exact match to a 2003 truck in the company's garage. Purchased from Columbus Peterbilt and built out by Amthor International, the rig is powered by a Paccar PX-8 300 hp engine and Fuller 8LL transmission. Sims drives this truck daily for residential septic service.

Casa Grande Pumping Service

Casa Grande, Ariz.

Rick Hall has had this 1973 Kenworth with extended hood for 30 years and recently completed a full restoration, adding a matching pup trailer. Hall added a 1987 Kenworth frame and a new LMT Inc. 4,000-gallon steel vacuum tank, daylight doors from a 1996 Kenworth, an N14 Cummins 550 hp engine and 13-speed Eaton Fuller transmission from two Peterbilts. He rebuilt a 1980 Thompson 454 piston pump to provide vacuum.