Truck Porn

[difrangia]

Early prototype for a Fridolin (Type 147) van.

 

The German postal service commissioned VW to come up with a vehicle suitable to their needs in 1962.

 

Production started in 1964 and by July 1974 6,139 had been produced with 200 in preservation.

 

 

 

 

The production Fridolin.  Contract production for Postal Service

 

Front styling = Type III;   Rear styling = Type II;   Engine = Type I

 

I WANT !!!

 

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Seen 1 hour ago @ my local shops where my PO Box is at - 

 

 

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Interesting the differences and similarities from one country to to another. OD loads must be marked, as well as flags delineating the widest portions of the load. In the states the oversize load banners are required to be larger.

 

Don't cover up the license plate though. Big ticket.

 

Thrust Reversers Lookout Pass by Racer, on Flickr

 

Wide Load Wide Angle by Racer, on Flickr

 

The sun, flags and the blind spot mirror made for a great photo opportunity. My truck number was chrome vinyl lettering. Youcan see it reflecting on the OD flag while rolling down the road.

 

331 by Racer, on Flickr

 

The larger OD banners make great bird catchers.

 

Birdman From Arlington by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

Up in Canuckistan they require something a bit different. They call them "D Panels", for "DIMENSIONAL". Guess they figured if it was spelled out the banner would wrap around the whole truck. I think they look like the circus is coming to town.

 

On my way up to Saskatoon, SK I stopped for lunch out on the Alberta prairie, about 200 miles (320km) out of Medicine Hat on a lonely stretch of 2 lane.

 

Runnin Up To Saskatoon by Racer, on Flickr

 

Runnin Up To Saskatoon by Racer, on Flickr

[angliagt]

                    Where was the first picture taken of your truck? Nice scenery in the background.

 I drove across Saskatchewan,at night.Best time to do so,as there's nothing to see in the daytime.

[VFR800]

Interesting the differences and similarities from one country to to another. OD loads must be marked, as well as flags delineating the widest portions of the load. In the states the oversize load banners are required to be larger.

 

Don't cover up the license plate though. Big ticket.

 

 

Yah,the legal aspects of things like chemicals and wide/heavy loads need to be all license/permit covered with notifications.

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                    Where was the first picture taken of your truck? Nice scenery in the background.

The red Freightliner with the thrust reversers is on Lookout Pass, I-90. Just past the summit on the Idaho side there are a couple places to pull off. If it was lunchtime I would stop, fix a sammich, and enjoy the view.

 

This one was in my first truck. I was up on the McKenzie Highway East of Eugene, Oregon, and the black lava beds looked like a great place to fix a sammich and some soup.

 

Lunch On The McKenzie Highway by Racer, on Flickr

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 I drove across Saskatchewan,at night.Best time to do so,as there's nothing to see in the daytime.

 

You missed out then.

 

 

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Lunchtime just outside of St Maries. Idaho. That is Chatcolet Lake in the background.

 

Boiler Drop Saint Maries Idaho by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

I had just delivered a boiler to the new hospital in town.

 

Boiler Drop Saint Maries Idaho by Racer, on Flickr

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[Cosmonaut]

^^Simply awesome

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Beachmobile!

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[mrbigtanker]

Lunchtime just outside of St Maries. Idaho. That is Chatcolet Lake in the background.

 

Boiler Drop Saint Maries Idaho by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

I had just delivered a boiler to the new hospital in town.

 

Boiler Drop Saint Maries Idaho by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

Umm can you get some peterbilt pics. Volvo and freightshakers are you know.

[VFR800]

[VFR800]

[125 CSL]

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Umm can you get some peterbilt pics. Volvo and freightshakers are you know.

 

I understand on the Shaker. Although it was a good truck and always got the loads moved (heaviest I pulled was 110,000 gross and it wasn't a heavy haul tractor), the comfort side of the equation was lacking. Without a proper table it was difficult to prepare meals. Basically everything is done while sitting on the bed.

 

That sucks.

 

You wouldn't cook breakfast on your bed would you?

 

I did have a 24" flatscreen TV in it though. Gotta get the daily weather from Al while munching breakfast in bed.

 

24 Inch Flatscreen by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

I know the Petercar looks cooler. Nothing cooler than looking out over a hood.

 

Again, the sleeper is for sleeping, and no consideration is given to much else.

 

 

 

The Volvo has the best creature comforts. Large stand up sleeper with upper and lower bunks, the lower bunk makes into a table and bench seats like in an RV. It has a refrigerator/freezer, room for a microwave and a toaster oven, and of course a TV.

 

When you spend more time in the truck than you do at home it has to meet certain needs. Of all the truck makes that the carrier I drove for offered, the Volvo was the best in that regard.

 

The inside of the first Volvo I drove, the blue one, number 18.

 

Blue 18 by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

But hey, I won't keep it from you. Here is a Peterwagon I drove when my last Volvo was at the dealer getting a software update. One of the pool trucks, almost but not quite ready to go to the auction. Had an old Acert Cat with a Super 10 gearbox, and real Jacobs Engine Brakes. Made nice noise running up and down through the gears.

 

Waiting for the Longshoremen to load that big wooden crate on my wagon at the Port of Tacoma.

 

Port Of Tacoma by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

Then the next morning sitting outside Portland International Raceway with a dead air compressor.

 

Truck 65 by Racer, on Flickr

 

Another driver passing by with an empty wagon stopped by and took my load. After the compressor was fixed I deadheaded back home.

 

Truck 65 by Racer, on Flickr

 

Truck 65 by Racer, on Flickr

 

 

 

Spent an entire day waiting on road service and then the guy getting the compressor changed out.

 

So much for a Petercar.

 

But hey, I was running local at the time, and getting paid hourly.

 

All.

 

Day.

 

Long.

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Stopped for lunch on a lonely stretch of I-90 in South Dakota. This guy was also stopped for lunch.

 

M And W Transport by Racer, on Flickr

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M And W Transport by Racer, on Flickr