Robb Mariani - Host of American Trucker TV Series on SPEED and Big Rig Truck Enthusiast.
Robb's Adventures

2011
Adventure 1: Robb's Got the Fever
I was inspired by the Blue Mule to find a W Series truck. Then I decided that I would do an OEM style restoration with some twists with the help of my friends at Bill’s Truck Service in Orlando, FL. Since I live where humidity, sand and salt air eat metal for breakfast, I am surrounded by trucks with missing vintage parts. So, I take off on another road trip- this time to the much drier Baja Peninsula of Mexico. There, old rigs reign supreme and scrap yards are chock full of treasures for vintage big rig lovers.
To get there, I hitched a ride with support semis trekking cars, trucks and supplies to the famous Baja 1000 off- road race. Not only did I get to ride shotgun, I actually got be part of a Baja 1000 professional chase team. During the race I squeezed in time for some big rig salvage expeditions and I even used one of the race- support big rigs to transport my treasures.
2011
Adventure 2: Robb & The Bear
After years of restoring the former highway star to its glory, Sagehorn’s quest is nearly complete. Excitedly, Sagehorn got to drive his BJ & the Bear big rig to the very factory that custom built the truck for the NBC series some 32 years ago. The factory is celebrating an anniversary, and by their request, gets reunited with their famous product that has become known throughout the world. I also pitched in to help finish up work on the truck and trailer. Along the way, I take you inside the world’s largest truck stop, Iowa 80. Then I join Paul on a road trip to the origin of his famous TV rig. Our last stop is at the home plant where it was built over 30 years ago.
2011
Adventure 3: Bandit and the Snowman
Holding off Star Wars for 3 months at the box office in 1977 speaks volumes about a film’s potential. It was Smokey and The Bandit that kept Lucas’s breakthrough on the shelf. Burt Reynolds was the iconic Bandit driving the TransAm and Jerry Reed was the Snowman who drove that forever famous big rig.
In this adventure, I met Tyler Hambrick in Georgia. He has built a STUNNING tribute truck of the Snowman’s big rig. Tyler is a man who lives and breathes everything Smokey and The Bandit. He’s a general historian of the production, and he showed me the famous filming locations in and around Atlanta. And Keith from YearOne brought down the company’s badass Bandit.
And if that wasn’t exciting enough, Wayne Anderson and I climbed into the rig to “do what they said can’t be done.” We traced the famous 1330 mile bootleg run from Atlanta to Texarkana and back…all in 28 hours…with YearOne’s Bandit running blocker. What a trip.
2011
Adventure 4: Special Operation
I took off to South Carolina to meet up with Kelvin Locklear, owner of K&L Chrome Shop and Outcast Kustoms. Kelvin has been customizing a 1983 Peterbilt 362 cabover rig for Niven Williams, an active Special Forces soldier stationed at Fort Bragg. Niven's father bought the truck back in 1980 and after driving it for decades, gave it to his son. You wouldn’t believe what Niven has gone through just to get the truck to the shop!
I get thrown into the mix of multiple projects going on at the shop and lend my design eye to the team for Leann Rimes’ old Peterbilt motor home.
While working on the rebuild for Niven, I tried my hand at some custom chrome work, placing my masterpiece on one of Kelvin’s rigs. Then Kelvin takes me out in his custom Kenworth and puts my new CDL to the test. Let’s just say there’s a little more grindin’ than findin’!
When the rig was finished, it was drived to Fayetteville, NC to an anxiously awaiting Niven at Fort Bragg. Even better is when I showed up to find that Niven had his whole family in tow…including his Dad. Let’s just say Dad’s got a little bit blown away!
2011
Adventure 5: Haulin' in Style
I comb the nation for the coolest custom truck in America. Just like the world of Hot Rods - in the trucking world customizing is BIG and seriously expensive! On this adventure I visited three of the best custom big rig shops around, not only to check out their decked-out rigs, but to figure out how and why they do what they do.
I met up with Steve and Anthony of Elizabeth Truck Center in New Jersey. Elizabeth Truck Center claimed their first major custom big rig “The Beast” revolutionized the way the industry looks at custom trucks. And I got to check out if it really was as bad-ass as the owners claimed...
Then I went to the biggest and baddest shop in Texas, Triple R Custom Diesels. I got to see the incredible process of customizing big rigs, and eventually got to check out the renowned “Project One.” Then the Mendez brothers saddled up five of their coolest rigs and headed for the Alamo.
My last stop was in the usually sunny state of California where I visited a custom truck shop owned by the Botelho brothers. These brothers are known for having the coolest, tricked-out trucks in all of the west. I checked out Los Banos (the garlic capital of the world) in a 2000 horsepower Peterbilt limo!
2011
Adventure 6: Big Load
This adventure brought me to Shandon, Ohio, where I got to see the operations of one of America’s premier super haulers, Diamond Heavy Haul. For over 30 years, these guys have been hauling some of the biggest and heaviest cargo on the road. When it comes to delivering the super load, Diamond is at the top of the list!
I got to tour their massive facility where they custom manufacture every component of their incredible fleet – from the 45 ton Perimeter 6-axle to their latest edition – 20-axle dual land transporter that can handle loads of up to 740,000 lbs! I even got a shot at the tiller-man controls of one of these enormous rigs – talk about nerve racking!
I got a first-hand look at how Diamond’s crew secured a load weighing over 300,000lbs onto one of their trailers. Did I mention their trailer was almost the size of a football field? WOW! Then we hit the road in what seemed like an orchestra performing a symphony – cautiously navigating through small town streets and highways. We had a parade of more than 8 escorts, including state troopers, Ohio D.O.T., Diamond supports vehicles and even a spare Peterbilt for additional horsepower!
The closer we got to the delivery site – the more difficult it became! They had to back up the rig – the wrong way – down an off-ramp, then continue backwards for nearly a mile in order to reach the river bank for the offloading! Once we got there the real fun began! Considering that there was no guardrail or containment wall at the riverside, and about a foot of slick mud – things really got tense! I don’t want to spoil it for you – tune in and see the outcome!
2011
Adventure 7: Trucking School
My fascination with big rigs doesn’t end with admiration. I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream of owning and driving my own big rig(s).
I realized when I worked on a loading dock that getting my cdl was paramount. So I found myself at the Dootson School of Trucking to fulfill my quest. I went through the grueling hours of classroom studies where I learned the rules of the road for long haulers. I then got to take what I learned from the classroom and put it to the test on the open road…or parking lot anyway for skills training. I learned how to drive and hook up trailers from an old boss, Tony Barnes when I was in my younger days. This time it was the proper way with several instructors. My first time driving a big rig was behind the wheel of a '75 Mack Cruiseliner- now I was in less than cool rigs, but it didn't matter- screw up here and you don't pass go! Parallel parking would be a challenge - I never had to do that at the loading dock! There was a lot to learn- but I was up for the challenge! With just a few miles under my belt, I had to endure the hardest part of all – passing my commercial driver’s license test at the DMV.
2011
Adventure 8: Rockin' Down the Highway
When I was about 14 I bought a ticket to my first big concert - The Cars, on their '81 "Shake It Up" tour! I have attended lots of concerts since - music has been my fuel! At most every concert that I have attended - I always sought out the trucks that brought the show! No matter what music you like, or live show for that matter, you better believe it involved a big rig! In this episode, I got to go on tour with a rock legend. But I wasn’t there for the backstage party - I was bangin' gear with the crew for none other than Robert Plant and his Band of Joy.
I hook-up with Tim and Big Mike - veterans in the tour hauling business - and learn what it takes to keep the show on the road. I caught up with the crew in South Carolina, when the encore ended, my job got started. I worked alongside the ultra-efficient crew of Robert's roadies and two very dedicated truckers - with just one mission . . . the show must go on! We broke down the stage and meticulously packed up the gear into a couple of 53'ers. We then headed west to Atlanta, GA for the Fox Theater. Considering that the crew was on a tight schedule, we had to drive all night in a driving rain in order to get to the Fox by 8am! Life on the road with a rock-n-roll group! Talk about an incredible experience ... this was the ultimate back stage pass!
2011
Adventure 9: Midway
During the late 19th century, America was entertained by carnivals. These acts would travel to select towns across America by trains or horses or wagons…By the turn of the century, America replaced the horse for horse-power with the advent of the internal combustion engine. When the trucks and interstates came on the scene – carnivals became available to any-town USA, thanks to American trucks and truckers! The amusement would never be the same! Modern companies now have massive rides and are in demand all across America. With tight schedules, these operations must run like clockwork in order to make it from one town to the next! In the name of fun – priority one is transporting the equipment safely and quickly to the next event.
I joined the circus! Actually, more like the carnival, when I hooked-up with the family-owned-and-operated Butler Amusements as they ran to set up for the Riverside, California Date festival! They granted me access to their operations, and was immediately placed with a veteran trucker of their fleet to help transport and assemble some massive rides. I get to see what it takes from truck-to-Tilt-a-Whirl, and just how the Giant Wheel transforms from three trailers into one of the most popular carnival rides. I even took a detour and checked out Owen Trailer Company and see how their transformer trailers are constructed – talk about a wild ride!
2011
Adventure 10: Searching for Big Dog
This week I go on a little journey – to a huge place – UPS! I heard that there is a driver there by the name of Ron “Big Dog” Sowder, and he is a legend in brown. As a driver for UPS, Big Dog has logged in an excess of 8 million big rig miles across the U.S. over an astonishing 49-year career. Big Dog has been driving UPS trucks since before I was even born - and get this - he has NEVER been in an accident! He is a truck-driving hero, and I aim to meet him! My first stop in the search for Big Dog is Chicago and the massive 1.5 million square foot colossus known as C.A.C.H. – or the Chicago Area Consolidation Hub. This UPS city-within-a-city sees over 1,900 tractors pulling an astounding 3,500 trailer loads in and out EVERY DAY. As I explored the enormous hi-tech facility, I interviewed various UPS drivers trying to find out the whereabouts of the Big Dog. It turns out Ron is running the Cincinnati to Louisville, Kentucky route (the UPS headquarters). So I hit the road again…and the search continued. I rolled into Cincinnati –early! In my search for the Big Dog, I discovered that some UPS mechanics had a very special project! Eventually, I met up with the legendary UPS driver- Ron Sowder! With no time to spare we hit the highway and headed to Worldport. Worldport is the granddaddy of all trucking facilities and the heartbeat of UPS. At over 4 million square feet, it makes C.A.C.H. look like a backyard playground. 122 miles of conveyors shuffle thousands of packages a day through the most sophisticated and technologically advanced freight system on earth. It was my honor to log a few hundred more “safe” miles with the Big Dog at UPS. I got an insider’s view of the ultimate trucking facility – they really love logistics!
2011
Adventure 11: Cup to Go
NASCAR racing was born in the late 1940's. By the 1950s, race teams were traveling from race to race with about anything that could pull a trailer! As the sport grew, so did the haulers. In the mid-60's big rigs took over as transport vehicle of choice.
Today, NASCAR teams are rolling billboards and are some of the most recognizable rigs on the road. Sporting multi-color paint schemes with giant graphic wraps that depict sponsor logos, drivers faces, slogans, social media spots - you name it, they have it! Beyond the flashy graphics these rigs are some of the best maintained on the road and they have to be, they are the main reason that this gigantic spectator sport happens! Without these trucks and truckers - fans would stare at an empty track . . .
I ride shotgun with one of the most successful NASCAR teams on the planet! We go from the flat-track of Phoenix, to the super speeds of Las Vegas with only one week between races. It’s hundreds of miles and 100 tons of equipment – race drivers race on Sunday, but not unless the race haulers get to the track first!
2011
Adventure 12: White Out
No words strike more fear or danger into the psyche of a trucker than ‘White Out’ and ‘Donner Pass!’ In this episode, I get more than I bargained for when I get caught in a severe winter storm, crossing this pass between California and Nevada. I ride with a Cal Trans division known as the "pusher trucks." What are the pusher trucks? Born from the former Consolidated Freightways company drivers - these brave truckers operate specially equipped rigs that venture out onto the Donnor Pass to rescue rigs that get stuck when the snow piles up!
I spend my first day getting some background on the special equipment the snow fighters use on the pass. I get a first- hand look at the infamous history of the Donner Pass and what makes this I-80 stretch of road one of the most feared by all truckers who had to endure it's wrath - winter, spring, summer and fall!
Once on Donnor Pass, I learned firsthand of the many real-time dangers, such as hammer lane snowdrifts and what can happen if a driver ignores the tire chain regulations! Tragedy can strike in the blink of an eye - and it did!
2011
Adventure 13: NASA
1962, John Glenn first orbited the Earth. Space travel has captivated the world ever since! The NASA space program has been permanently tied to the work of trucks, including some very rare and special big rigs. Flash forward almost 50 years to 2011 – as NASA prepares for the last ever Space Shuttle Discovery mission to space. Sadly, another era in the history of manned space flight is coming to an end. American Trucker will be there with the NASA support vehicle team to find out just how big rigs help contribute to the very crucial steps of every space mission from the Apollo Program - to every Space Shuttle mission that has ever flown in space!
I will try to uncover the mystery of the NASA Peterbilt's – and find out how these one-of-a-kind big rigs may still be contributing to the Space Shuttle Discovery - as it prepares to make its final voyage!
2011
Adventure 14: Relief
On May 22nd, one of the worst tornadoes in our nation’s history hit the historic town of Joplin, MO leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. More than 100 people lost their lives and an area of over 8 miles long and ¾ mile wide was left in ruins. When the storm is over, the work of the American Trucker begins. Moving in supplies of every kind and clearing the rubble, big rigs come to the rescue no matter where or when disaster strikes.
On this very special episode of American Trucker, I will ride along with some of the unsung heroes of this tragic story. I began in Van Buren, Arkansas at USA-Truck, a company dedicated to donating as many resources as it can to disaster relief all over the country. I rode along with driver, Ken Smith, on a mission to deliver a truckload of donated supplies to the Joplin area. Once I arrived in Joplin, I was stunned at what I saw.
I got the privilege of meeting some of the truckers helping to reconstruct this community in need.
I left Joplin with a sense of hope that with the strong determination of the American people and the help of American Truckers, this community will soon resemble the vibrant city it once was.
2011
Adventure 15: Freightliner
In 1939, Leland James was head of Consolidated Freightways. Seeking light-weight trucks for his hauling needs, James struck out with the manufacturers of the day. A true pioneer, James hand selected some mechanics to get to work and create a truck to suit his needs. Freightliner was Born! In fact, Freightliner Trucks were so advanced, that other trucking companies wanted to buy the new "Freightliners" for their own fleets! Every Freightliner built has been custom from day one!
Freightliner stands alone as the largest manufacturer of big rigs in North America. First, Robb travels to one of the largest assemblies of vintage trucks in the nation – the American Truck Historical Society’s annual national convention and truck show. Here, Robb will get up close and personal with Freightliners from years past and explore the history of this groundbreaking company. Robb won’t only get to see these vintage beauties, but he’ll even head down the road in a convoy of vintage rigs and head to the Shroyer Truck Museum in Ohio!
We’ll hit the road again and travel to Freightliner’s state of the art factory in Cleveland, NC, where Robb will get a behind-the-scenes look at just what it takes to build one of today’s state-of-the-art Freightliner rigs. Robb will get a hands-on look at every aspect of the assembly line for Freightliner’s Cascadia truck. In the process, Robb will break down the anatomy of this amazing truck and show us how Freightliner has continued to push the edge of the technology envelope on big-rigs through the years.
2011
Adventure 16: Independent
American truck manufacturers were born out of an independent spirit and a need for a product.... those products were soon tested by true independent spirits- American truckers! From the earliest of trucking days, independent drivers strived to make a living with their rigs while being their own boss. In modern trucking, true independents are still around, but are a dying breed. Today’s crippling regulations have all but killed the American independent trucker, but not all of them! I paid a visit to my friend Brad Wike who still operates his small fleet in today’s difficult trucking landscape. I found out just what needs to be done to remain profitable and stay afloat in modern trucking – starting by hauling "pool noodles"! I even helped re-live the past history of one of America’s great independent trucking companies- Carolina Freight! Somehow, ended up in a duel with an independent spirit that even I couldn’t see coming!!
2011
Adventure 17: Undercover Truck Stop
In this episode, I take an exit to a modern truck stop that started with one man and is still in business four generations later! A trucker’s office is his or her truck, packed with as many amenities from home as possible – trucker’s live in their rigs. When the tanks get empty – they hit the truck stops for fuel – and anything else they need to live life on the road! Today’s stops are a far cry from the truck stops of yesteryear. Back then, a hot meal, a cup of Joe and some diesel was all truckers had . . . Not today! I got to go inside a large truck stop and get an idea of just what it takes to make a trucker’s life easy on the road! I worked the restaurant, the fuel island and the repair shop for starters. I even found a job at a graphic design shop and striped a rig, then tried my hand at working in the chrome shop! Pull over for your long break- I got your back!
2011
Adventure 18: Catch of the Day
Like fresh seafood? You are not alone! In this episode of American Trucker - we have "gone fishin'" in a big rig way!
Starting on a fishing boat in San Pedro, CA, we catch some white Sea Bass and begin the journey of bringing it to a plate at the famed N9ne Steakhouse in the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. Get this; we will have to get the fresh catch-of-the-day delivered in under 20 hours! It is not as simple as unloading the boat, packing the fish on a big rig and hitting the road. Oh no, there are three rigs involved and multiple stops before you can order it off of a menu. Transporting fresh seafood into the middle of the desert is not exactly scientific - well, part of it is - you need a big rig, and in our case, a Thermo King refer unit! You also need truckers to get the job done safely, efficiently and timely, or things can get "fishy!" And, that’s not all - after the seafood makes it all the way from the boat to Las Vegas - one guy can say "NO" to the whole load if it is not certified "fresh!” If we can deliver it fresh, celebrity Executive Chef, Barry Dakake will have it on his menu in less than 24 hours. Bet you never thought that Diesel Power could taste so good!
2011
Adventure 19: Fireworks Hauler
Celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks is an American tradition. Each year all across the country friends and family gather to view the night sky light up in honor of our nation’s independence. This year, I get an inside look at how the BIG shows go off with a bang!
When dealing with explosives, it’s always best to consult the experts. In this case, that means PyroSpectaculars in Rialto, CA. These guys have been in the business of prepping, hauling, and detonating fireworks for over 90 years. They haul more than 150 trailers full of pyrotechnics each 4th of July alone and with my help they executed one of their biggest fireworks extravaganzas this year - the Rose Bowl’s Americafest. More than 20,000 attendees are expected at this year’s event and the pressure was on to make the show go off without a hitch. I get to work alongside veteran trucker and fireworks technician, Peter Ponce.
In addition to prepping for the big event, Peter had to haul a 53’ trailer full of basketball-sized shells and 4’ tall mortars on the crowded Los Angeles highways from Rialto to Pasadena. Transporting combustible cargo (Hazmat hauling) is a nerve-racking task, but if John and I can make it the Rose Bowl without any mishaps, the pay-off will be truly spectacular.
It's the celebration of American Independence brought to you by none other than the American Trucker.
2011
Adventure 20: Harvest
For more than 50 years, California has been the number one agricultural producer in the US. A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and dairy products are produced in the third largest state in America. The need to get all those fruits and vegetables to the consumer makes the agricultural sector the largest user of freight transportation in our economy. While it may sound like one of the simpler types of trucking, harvesting and transporting "soft Commodities" is time sensitive from the farm to the grocery store and requires several unique types of trucks and trailers. Drivers with technical knowledge specific to "Ag" hauling is a must! I’m about to find out just what it takes to get a single, fresh tomato to a store or market near you - bet you didn't think of the harvest, processing, packing and delivering that a tomato goes through!
28% of Americans consume at least one tomato-containing meal per day. Whether they’re one third of a Caprese salad or the ketchup we put on our french fries. Ramirez and Sons Trucking have been delivering California produce for more than 6 decades! Their fleet of trucks ranges from a 1949 classic Peterbilt to a fleet of cab-over Freightliners pulling specialized trailers to transport the soft commodities to a store near you!
I start off with a low bed trailer to deliver farm equipment to the field for the harvest - then I will put my skills to the test hooking up gondola trailers before I can leave the farm for the packing plant. Washed, inspected and boxed for transport - these tomatoes are loaded onto a reefer truck destined for your local market courtesy of an American Trucker. Three different trucks, two days and the freshest produce that northern California has to offer on this episode of American Trucker.
2011
Adventure 21: Finding Evel
The original daredevil, Evel Knievel, launched himself into American Pop Culture in the late 1960's when he jumped the fountains at Cesar’s Palace in Las Vegas Nevada on a motorcycle and nearly killed himself in the process! The footage of the stunt was heralded as "the most compelling TV ever" Not only did he survive, but Knievel captivated millions of fans from around the world and went on to entertain the world with televised stunts, including a jump of Snake River Cannon in his "Sky-Cycle"!
All of Evel's stunts were made possible because of American truck manufacturers, Kenworth, and Mack Trucks. In 1974, Evel commissioned a specially designed class 8 truck to travel abroad with his spectacular stunt show. The truck was state-of-the-art, Evel's Mack truck went on a world tour, including his jump in Wembley Stadium in the UK and even for a jump in Australia!
Without the big rigs, Evel might never have become the American legend he still is today. Evel's stunt career ended in 1981 - the last time the free world got a look at his Mack hauler. After decades of rumor, I have been on a mission to find the classic Mack and see if it might have ended up in a junk yard, or had been preserved for future generations to behold! In this episode of American Trucker, I launched a high-flying stunt of my own to find Evel Knievel's long-lost Mack hauler and show it off to the world!
2011
Adventure 22: Bull Shipper
Hilker Cattle Transport of Kansas has been hired to haul more than 1,000 head-of-Angus cattle from Winter Livestock Ranch in Hanston to a livestock market 200 miles away. These beefy beasts will be worth up to a thousand dollars a piece at the auction, so getting the stock to their destination quickly and safely is of the utmost importantant. This haul, which consists of more than 16 trailers full of cattle each day, will take every bit of labor they have, so I’ve been offered the opportunity to help out.
The specialized trailers these steel cowboys use to haul more than 45,000 pounds of live cargo are unlike any other… and so are the challenges that come with the transporting.
I get to head ‘em up and move ‘em out so we can get these cattle sold at the historic Dodge City auction.
2011
Adventure 23: Pebble Beach
Welcome to the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA…arguably the home to the most valuable group of cars seen in one place at one time on earth! Every summer, the collector car world converges on Pebble to show off the most expensive cars on the planet – from Duesenbergs to Bugattis, the price tag on these vehicles is in the millions. But how do they all get here? By big rig of course! On this episode of American Trucker I’ll I’ll be on a mission to deliver a load of multi-million dollar collectors cars to Pebble Beach. I’ll follow the journey from pick up to delivery, and cross the country in the cockpit of a specially designed collector car hauler filled with millions of dollars in chrome and steel. The pressure is on, as one scratch can mean tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. I put on my white gloves as we haul automotive treasures on this episode.
2011
Adventure 24: Great American Truck Show
On this episode of American Trucker, I delve into the multi-million dollar world of the National Championship truck competition! The world-class rigs that come to compete have to qualify before they can be considered. These 18-wheel show pieces are some of the most outrageous trucks on the road, and 90% of them work for a living! But there’s only one place to see these trucks under one roof - the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas. But I won’t be just gawking at the trucks – no sirree, on this episode of AT, I will join the esteemed judges for Randall Reilly's Pride and Polish event at G.A.T.S. For big rigs, this is the equivalent of the Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama. My keen eye will be responsible for judging these incredible rigs - ultimately crowning a Nation Champion! I even help hand out the awards from every class entered. The pressure is on as I look over every tiny detail of these chrome and steel monsters. Find out what it takes to award the first ever National Champion on this episode of American Trucker.
2011
Adventure 25: Fantastic Fleet
Ever travel down the interstate and notice a big rig because of its cleanliness? How about its logo and gleaming chrome? There are lots of great fleets out there delivering America - but I'm searching for one FANTASTIC FLEET! I found just such a fleet hiding in the Denver, Colorado area - Western Distributing Transportation! We are talking about a family-owned fleet that has been hauling since the 1930s and kicked things up in the 1970s to a class 8 fleet that hauls dry, refer, stone, sand, oversize, specialty, and even top secret armored! Did I mention that they also have a rescue and recovery division? Well, they do! Buckle up - on this episode we go to great highs and low lows, as in 11,000 feet elevation with potato chips to picking up parts of a wreck from a runaway truck ramp! We head West with Western and find out why they are of America's true "Fantastic" fleets!
2011
Adventure 26: Toyota Hauler
This week we go "four-wheelin' . . . with the folks from Toyota that is! We will see just how American Truckers play vital roles in creating the all-new 2012 Toyota Camry . . . Guess what? There would be no Camry, much less any car or truck in America with big rigs and American Truckers!
The adventure starts at the Toyota plant in Kentucky. They just so happen to build the most domestically produced car in America! Before any of that can begin - the cars could never be assembled without the raw materials needed to build the cars - those parts are shipped in from all over the country and the mailman isn't delivering them! Their delivery service? You guessed it—big rigs. Like the hundreds of thousands of other manufacturing facilities in the United States, Toyota's progress and stability relies on the American Trucker to deliver their materials, move their products, and even help build the plants, themselves. Today, I will see first-hand some of the sophisticated devices involved in delivering the raw supplies, and then I’ll actively observe the spectacle of "a car is born"! Modern technology and modified techniques demonstrate the perfected manufacturing process, and when the cars roll off the assembly line, they go straight onto a truck. But not just any truck—these cars are loaded onto one of the remarkable rigs from Cassens Transport Company. Cassens is no stranger to delivering cars—. They understand the tough job of transporting new vehicles to the consumers - they’ve been hauling them since the 1930s. . . Over the decades, Cassens have been delivering every kind of car imaginable American showrooms, from a Hudson to the Studebaker, only this time it's the 2012 Toyota Camry on the load sheet!
Bet you never thought twice how much goes into that new car you bought, will buy, or are simply dreaming about? This job calls for the American Trucker to deliver the goods, and it has that "new car smell" all over it . . .
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