10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

VIVA LAS VEGAS!
THE TRUCK SHOW LAS VEGAS 2005
Click here to see the pictures!

They say, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” but not if we’re there. That’s right, we’re here to let the cat out of the bag and tell you everything that happened in Las Vegas last June - well, okay, maybe not everything. How about just what happened at The Truck Show Las Vegas, held June 16-18, 2005 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Although there are still some hurdles to overcome, this second annual event seemed like a good time for all in attendance.

After an ugly divorce two years ago from the California Trucking Association (CTA), the show’s longtime producers (Independent Trade Show Management) ventured out on their own to make a name for themselves in Vegas. And, for the most part, they have done a great job - but there was one problem this year. For reasons unknown, with the exception of Ford Commercial Trucks and a few prominent trailer manufacturers, virtually no OEM’s were on display. This glitch might have been caused by some remaining fallout from the breakup of the two organizations, but who knows. Although it was disappointing to some attendees, you wouldn’t have known it by walking the floor.

Most of the exhibitors we talked to were very pleased with the activity in their booths and the attendees seemed just as happy. Over at the 10-4 booth, we couldn’t complain. This year, on the show circuit, we began selling some 10-4 merchandise and it has been very popular. In addition to colorful T-shirts, we are also selling laminated centerfolds (placemats) and laminated full-size posters. Of course, we are still offering our usual fare of free centerfolds, posters, magazines, and, from time-to-time, stimulating conversation, so everyone is happy. Stop by and see us at an upcoming show (Reno, Dallas, Pomona, Famoso, etc).

This year, like last year, we were happy to have the crew from 4-State Trucks in Joplin, MO and their cool “Mob Sled” show truck right next door. That white and lime green bad boy attracts lots of attention! And what Las Vegas show would be complete without the talents of Greg Dohlen drawing those caricatures? Greg has been doing the show with us for years, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Many people come to our booth every year just so they can get drawn by Greg again. Needless to say, we were pleased with the show and hope the heavy-hitters get back on board next year.

On day two (Friday) of the show, we had some interesting visitors come to our booth. What is it about truckers wanting to get married at truck shows? Especially in Vegas! Well, it happened again. Richard & Maria Baulos of Flint, Michigan tied the knot in ICT’s booth on Friday afternoon and then spent the rest of the day walking around the show posing for pictures. Yes, even we got into it (photo 1). With Richard in his black tux and Maria in her white gown with a long train, the couple wandered around the show while their photographer (and many others) snapped picture after picture. Our congratulations go out to the happy couple - we can guess where you’ll be spending your anniversaries.

Along the edges of the show sat about 40 of the nicest rigs, all vying for trophies and bragging rights at the third stop on this year’s Stars & Stripes truck show tour. For the second year in a row, both Mike Maggini and Ron & Jan Huey took home the top honors for Best of Show Combo and Best of Show Bobtail respectively. If Mike keeps winning like he has over the past two years, they might have to start calling it The Maggini Truck Show Las Vegas. In addition to their Best of Show awards, Mike took home three 1st Place trophies and Ron & Jan nabbed two. Jan was really excited about winning the Interior (OEM Sleeper) class. She has been working hard to get the inside of their truck looking great, and she was proud to have that fact recognized. Other notable winners included Mont Boardman, who took home the “Most Head-Turning Use of Chrome” award and 1st Place in his class, as well as Gailand Johnston and Richard & Sara Sweider, who tied in the Best of Show Limited Mileage class.

Next year’s show is slated for June 15-17, 2006. We hope that this convention can climb back to the level it once was and regain the support it needs from the major players in the industry. We have always enjoyed this show and the people who produce it, so we will be there for sure. We hope you are too. Here are all the winners from The Truck Show Las Vegas 2005:

BOBTAIL (1986-1997): 1st Trees Forever/Tony King – 1986 Mocha & Radiant Fire Pete 359; 2nd Ed Davis/Jeremy Smith – 1994 Green Pete 379; 3rd William Currie – 1995 Burgundy KW T600.

BOBTAIL (1998-1999): 1st George Hurst – 1999 Berry Red Metallic Frtlnr. Classic; 2nd Hector Santos – 1999 Baby Blue & White Pete 379; 3rd Landstar/Clifton Jennings – 1999 White & Blue Int’l 9300.

BOBTAIL (2000): 1st Ron & Jan Huey – 2000 Silver Metallic Int’l 9400; 2nd TDT/Clint Dicks – 2000 White & Orange Pete 379; 3rd Tom & Mary Ann Quick – 2000 Red, White & Blue KW W900L.

BOBTAIL (2001-2005): 1st LeRoy McRoberts – 2005 Black Sapphire Pete 379; 2nd Steve Sanchez – 2003 Sable Black Pete 379; 3rd Justin Reed – 2005 White Volvo VN660.

BOBTAIL (SPECIALIZED): 1st Donald & Yvonne Gibson – 2005 White Frtlnr. Expedite; 2nd R&C Trkg/Michael Sladek – 2001 Black KW Crane.

COMBO (FIRST SHOW): 1st Ron Henrie – 1998 Blue Pete 379 & 2005 Reitnour Flatbed; 2nd WTI Trkg/Kathy DeLucry – 2005 Purple Pete 379 & 2005 Utility Reefer; 3rd Western Distributing/Dan Guthrie – 2005 Teal Blue KW W900L & 2005 Great Dane Reefer.

COMBO (SPECIALIZED): 1st Spider Transport/Mont Boardman – 2004 Silver & Red Pete 379 & 2004 Cottrell Auto Transporter; 2nd Rockin A&J Trkg/Chris Pike – 2005 White KW W900L & 2005 Weil Transfer Dump; 3rd Dan Haffner – 1985 Black Pete 359 & 2002 Excel Double Drop.

COMBO (1985-1999): 1st Maggini & Son Trkg/Mike Maggini – 1988 Yellow Pete 379 & 2002 Utility Flatbed; 2nd Southern Pride/Tommy & Kim Turner – 1995 Teakwood & Beige Pete 379 & 2003 Transcraft Stepdeck; 3rd Image Logistics/Bill Betts – 1998 Mocha & Burgundy Pete 379 & 1997 Great Dane Reefer.

COMBO (2000-2005): 1st Graham Transportation/Alan Tuttle – 2003 Tan & Blue Pete 379 & 2005 Western Dropdeck; 2nd Rockin’ H Express/Billy Hopkins – 2000 Flame Red Pete 379 & 2000 Dorsey Flatbed; 3rd Prizm Express/Mike & Michelle Miller – 2004 Pearl Blue Pete 379 & 2005 Western Elite Flatbed.

INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Maggini & Son Trkg/Mike Maggini – 1988 Yellow Pete 379 & 2002 Utility Flatbed; 2nd Trees Forever/Tony King – 1986 Mocha & Radiant Fire Pete 359; 3rd Rockin’ H Express/Billy Hopkins – 2000 Flame Red Pete 379 & 2000 Dorsey Flatbed.

INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER): 1st Ron & Jan Huey – 2000 Silver Metallic Int’l 9400; 2nd (tie) Tom & Mary Ann Quick – 2000 Red, White & Blue KW W900L; 2nd (tie) TDT/Clint Dicks – 2000 White & Orange Pete 379.

INTERIOR (CUSTOM SLEEPER): 1st Donald & Yvonne Gibson – 2005 White Frtlnr. Expedite; 2nd Southern Pride/Tommy & Kim Turner – 1995 Teakwood & Beige Pete 379 & 2003 Transcraft Stepdeck.

PAINT (BOBTAIL): 1st TDT/Clint Dicks – 2000 White & Orange Pete 379; 2nd Tom & Mary Ann Quick – 2000 Red, White & Blue KW W900L; 3rd Trees Forever/Tony King – 1986 Mocha & Radiant Fire Pete 359.

PAINT (COMBO): 1st Maggini & Son Trkg/Mike Maggini – 1988 Yellow Pete 379 & 2002 Utility Flatbed; 2nd Rockin’ H Express/Billy Hopkins – 2000 Flame Red Pete 379 & 2000 Dorsey Flatbed; 3rd (tie) Southern Pride/Tommy & Kim Turner – 1995 Teakwood & Beige Pete 379 & 2003 Transcraft Stepdeck; 3rd (tie) MCK Express/Cary Bess – 2005 White KW W900L & 2005 Utility Reefer.

ENGINE: 1st Tom & Mary Ann Quick – 2000 Red, White & Blue KW W900L; 2nd Trees Forever/Tony King – 1986 Mocha & Radiant Fire Pete 359; 3rd Ron & Jan Huey – 2000 Silver Metallic Int’l 9400.

BEST THEME: Prizm Express/Mike & Michelle Miller – 2004 Pearl Blue Pete 379 & 2005 Western Elite Flatbed.

BEST USE OF CHROME: Spider Transport/Mont Boardman – 2004 Silver & Red Pete 379 & 2004 Cottrell Auto Transporter (photo 2).

BEST OF SHOW (LIMITED MILES): (tie) Gailand Johnston of Lamar, MO (photo 4) – 2003 Copper & Silver KW W900L AND Pacific Truck & Trailer/Richard & Sara Sweider of Grants Pass, OR – 1981 Red Pete 359.

BEST OF SHOW (BOBTAIL): Ron & Jan Huey (photo 3) of Greensburg, IN – 2000 Silver Metallic Int’l 9400.

BEST OF SHOW (COMBO): Maggini & Son Trucking/Mike Maggini of Riverdale, CA – 1988 Yellow Pete 379 & 2002 Utility Flatbed (photo 5).