As we look back on 2023, pumpers have faced many challenges, and their trusty vacuum service trucks have helped them meet every one of them. Many pumping companies have been busier than ever, and they’ve been asking their trucks to work just as hard as they do. The daily and weekly service schedule grows, more tanks get pumped, more contractors are stretching the pumping season to accommodate customer demands.

And what goes along with increased workload? The need for new, bigger and more powerful vacuum trucks. And they must be reliable, efficient, well-designed and thoughtfully produced to keep you on the road and earning a living. The industry’s truck-builders have responded to this growing demand and continue to work through supply chain issues to produce high-quality rigs pumpers are proud to own and happy to be driving when they pull up to customers’ homes and businesses.

Need evidence of the quality truck products manufactured for pumpers in the U.S. and Canada? Look no further than the trucks you see displayed here — our dozen Classy Trucks of the Month for 2023. What you see here are some great examples of the best commercial truck chassis, carrying quality-built tank and pump or blower combinations. There are loads of shiny bits, the latest driver convenience features, and trucks wrapped in paint and graphics that rival the best any service industry can produce.

This is some really good stuff, and we thank the pumpers who have submitted their favorite trucks for the Classy Truck feature. We know that hours upon hours of work went into designing the specs for their trucks and detailing the rigs for proper presentation in the magazine. We congratulate all the monthly winners and encourage all Pumper readers to submit their own favorite trucks for future issues.

Now comes the fun part. And we need your help. With your input, we’ll pick the Classy Truck of the Year for 2023 and feature the service vehicle and its owner in our February 2024 issue.

Here’s another look at the rigs featured in the past 12 issues of the magazine. Follow the instructions to cast a vote for your favorite at www.pumper.com/classy.

January

John Kline Septic Services, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Kyle Kline added a Grey 2021 Kenworth T880 with a 5,500-gallon aluminum tank and National Vacuum Equipment 4310 blower from Pik Rite. The truck is powered by a 510 hp PACCAR MX-13 engine tied to a 12-speed automatic transmission. Features include a Garnet Seelevel gauge, dual aluminum toolboxes, 4-inch fill and dump valves, aluminum hose trays with liner, Alcoa Dura-Black aluminum wheels and a coated front bumper. The interior features heated memory sense driver seat and Bluetooth radio. The driver is David Muma.

February

Abel Sanitary Services, Berlin Heights, Ohio

David Pinkerton added a yellow and white 2012 Freightliner M2 with a steel 4,000-gallon tank and 407-cfm Masport Hydra pump built out by 27th Trucks. The truck is powered by a 350 hp Cummins engine tied to an Allison automatic transmission. Features include aluminum hose trays, diamond plate hose guards and toolbox, aluminum wheels, 24-inch rear and 20-inch top manways, LED lighting and safety beacons, rear step bumper, air-ride seats and heated mirrors.

March

Duncan & Daughters Septic Service, Bardstown, Kentucky

Danny Duncan added a metallic red and white 2020 Kenworth T370 with a 2,500-gallon steel tank and National Vacuum Equipment 866 pump built out by Stephenson Specialty Trucks. The truck is powered by a 325 hp PACCAR engine tied to an Allison 3000 automatic transmission. Features include powder-coated hose trays with stainless steel bolts, LED marker lights and a heavy-duty red LED under-glow lighting kit, steel water tank, dual-side toolboxes and backup camera.

April

Martin’s Sanitation Service, Paris, Kentucky

Mike Thornton added an Axalta metallic pearl black 2021 sleeper cab Peterbilt 389 built out by Pik Rite with a 5,000-gallon waste/200-gallon freshwater steel tank and National Vacuum Equipment 4310 blower. The truck is powered by a 565 hp Cummins engine tied to an Allison automatic transmission. Chassis upgrades installed by Martin’s Peterbilt include a drop bumper, extra cab and bunk lights. Features include a custom Crust Buster locker behind the sleeper. Leon Florence and Jordan Honeycutt are the drivers.

May

Van Liew Septic Services, Pennellville, New York

The Kline family added a white 2022 Freightliner M2 with a 4,000-gallon aluminum tank and a 530-cfm National Vacuum Equipment 887 pump built out by Imperial Industries. The truck is powered by a 350 hp Cummins L9 engine linked to an Allison 3000 RDS automatic transmission. The truck is equipped with a Chelsea hot-shift PTO, a Garnet SeeLevel Annihilator gauge, aluminum wheels and toolbox, and dual rear LED work lights. Drivers include the three owner-operators, Jeff, Barry and Kasey Kline.

June

Timothy A. Giard & Son Plumbing & Heating, North Andover, Massachusetts

Timothy Giard added a white and blue 2007 International 4300 with a 2,500-gallon steel tank and Jurop R260 pump. The truck is powered by a DT466 engine tied to a 5-speed Allison automatic transmission. Features include dual aluminum toolboxes, aluminum wheels, chrome bumper, strobe lighting, LED work lights and dual captain’s air-ride seats. Jeremy Giard and Paul Dubois are the drivers and the truck is used for residential septic service.

July

Blue Ridge Sanitary Services, Germansville, Pennsylvania 

Adam Lynn added a Viper red 2012 Peterbilt 388 with a 4,800-gallon steel tank and Fruitland RCF-500 pump built out by J&J Truck Bodies. The truck is powered by a Cummins ISX 15 engine tied to an 18-speed Eaton transmission. Features include heated valves, power mirrors, a rear bumper with dual built-in toolboxes, cloth seats, woodgrain steering wheel and tinted power windows. Adam Lynn is the driver.

August

Dotson’s Septic Tank Service, Ridgeview, West Virginia

Marcus Esch added a white 2023 Western Star 4700SB with a 4,250-gallon aluminum tank and National Vacuum Equipment 4310 blower built out by Imperial Industries. The truck is powered by a 475 hp Detroit DD13 engine tied to an Allison 4500 RDS automatic transmission. Features include a Garnet SeeLevel gauge, chrome visor horns, toolboxes and wheels, premium interior package with leather air-ride seats and air-ride cab.

September

S.O.S. Septic, Englewood, Florida

Owner Terry Jacobson added a silver metallic 2019 Peterbilt 389 with a 5,800-gallon Aluminum tank and Fruitland 500 pump built out by Engine & Accessory. The truck is powered by a 525 hp Cummins X15 Performance Series engine and Allison 6-speed automatic transmission. Features include a Bruder full-opening rear hatch and hoist, custom hose trays and leather upholstery. Jared Wood is the driver.

October

Northern Rock Septic and Property Service, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Robert Kuhn added a green and white 2011 Mack Granite GU 713 with a 4,650-gallon steel tank and National Vacuum Equipment Challenger 607 pump built out by Imperial Industries and repainted by Kuhn. The truck is powered by a 505 hp MP8 engine tied to a 10-speed Eaton transmission. It features a chrome visor, stack and horns, diamond plate hose guards and full air-ride cab and seats.

November

Wally’s Flower Wagon Disposal Ltd., Norwood, Ontario, Canada

Brad and Wally Ramsay added a Coca-Cola Red 2023 Western Star 47X carrying a 3,963-gallon steel tank and National Vacuum Equipment 4310 blower built out by Transway Systems. The truck is powered by a 375 hp Cummins L9 engine mated to a 6-speed Allison Automatic transmission. Features include stainless steel tank racks, a Garnet SeeLevel digital gauge, dual toolboxes, heated and ventilated leather seats and a premium interior package. Peter Mair and Ben Mcilmoyle drive this and a twin rig.

December

Creech’s Plumbing, Wilson, North Carolina 

Stacy Creech added a 2023 Kenworth T880S painted Kenworth Red Effect carrying a 4,500-gallon waste/250-gallon freshwater steel tank and National Vacuum Equipment 4310 blower from Integrity Tank. The truck is powered by a 455 hp PACCAR MX-13 engine tied to an Allison Automatic 4500 RDS transmission. Features include an onboard jetter and washdown system from Pumptec, a remote control system installed by Imperial Industries, dual toolboxes, stainless steel accents and tan two-tone leather upholstery.