TRI-STATE TRIO
BY ROVING CORRESPONDENT TROY MILLER
Some of us get into trucking out of interest, others out of necessity, and still others through a string of jobs that somehow lead to a truck. But some, like Gregg Shupe, are simply born into trucking. Gregg Shupe is the man behind one of the most recognized and admired fleets in the west, Tri-State Commodities of Greeley, Colorado. Known for their chromed-out orange and white trucks with a definitive striping scheme, Tri-State’s rigs, which are almost all Kenworth W900s, are among the sharpest on the road today.
Gregg Shupe was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado. Gregg learned many of his driving skills when moving his father’s trucks around the yard and into the wash bay at age 12. Back then, he also went on many runs with his father’s drivers, watching how they drove. At age 18, Gregg started going over-the-road after he bought a 1971 Kenworth, a former Monfort Trucking unit. The truck was completely rebuilt in 1977, receiving the typical Tri-State Commodities (TSC) orange paint job. Powered by a 350 Cummins routed through a 4x4 transmission, the truck started making three runs a week to Salt Lake City hauling fertilizer, salt, and grain. Gregg ran this truck until 1979.
In 1978, Gregg spotted a W900A Kenworth sitting at an elevator in Kaysville, Utah and decided he just had to have it. He immediately called the owner, inquiring as to whether it was for sale, and two months later finally received a call back saying he could buy it. Gregg ran this truck from 1979 to 1987. In 1986, Gregg cut back his days out on the road after getting married to his wife Cindi. After that, he focused on spending more time in the shop. By the time he had his first son in 1990, Gregg was down to only driving when they needed extra drivers and working in the shop part time.
The W900A Kenworth that Gregg saw at that grain elevator in Utah is one of the trucks pictured here. Gregg parked it in 1987 and then spent almost a year rebuilding the KW. The project started with Gregg tearing the truck down to the bare frame rails, and then the work really began. Originally a short hood W900A Kenworth, Gregg opted for an extended A-model hood instead when rebuilding the truck. His truck also got a Kenworth Aerodyne standup sleeper, as well as a complete air-ride system underneath both the cab and the sleeper.
Gregg’s truck (named “Class of ‘78”) is one of only a couple trucks in the TSC fleet that are not painted in the company’s traditional orange, white and gold color scheme. Painted a striking maroon color with two-tone silver stripes, this truck may be out of the norm for Tri-State, but it certainly isn’t a compromise in terms of beauty. The old Kenworth also features a chrome visor, Texas-style bumper, miter-cut stacks and polished diamond-plate deck plates. The truck, which has a 265-inch wheelbase, is powered by a 425 Cat hooked to a 15-speed transmission and 3.70 rears. The truck no longer works, but it certainly worked hard when Gregg was running it up and down the road back in the early 1980s.
One of this truck’s sister rigs is Todd “Toad” Stockman’s 1982 W900A Kenworth, nicknamed “Toad’s Pad” (for obvious reasons). Done up in a similar fashion to Gregg’s A-model, the truck has an extended hood and Aerodyne sleeper, a big bumper and polished step boxes. “Toad’s Pad” also has a polished rear bumper, turn-out stacks, a smooth deck plate and painted rear half-fenders. Powered by an N14 Cummins rated at 525 horsepower and backed by a Fuller 18-speed with 3.36 rears, the truck, which still works hard every day, has a conservative wheelbase of 260 inches. Painted in the famous Tri-State colors with a matching grain trailer, this truck turns heads everywhere it goes.
In Tri-State’s fleet of 50 trucks, 48 of which are Kenworths, you’ll also find Clint Floy’s 2004 Peterbilt 379 named “Black Sheep of the Family” (for even more obvious reasons). Clint’s 379 is one of only two Peterbilts in the entire fleet, but it is built like most of their other trucks – it features the signature orange and white paint scheme, plenty of chrome throughout, and a 265-inch wheelbase. “Black Sheep” also features thirteen lights atop the cab, as well as a drop visor, turn-out stacks, a polished deck plate, rear half-fenders and rear bumper. The truck’s motivation comes from a 600 horsepower ISX Cummins, routed through a Fuller 18-speed and 3.36 rears. Tri-State will actually deny that it’s a Peterbilt, calling it instead a “Peterworth” (just look at the custom emblem on the side of the hood). This Peterbilt may stand out in a fleet of Kenworths, but, truth is, it still stands out everywhere else, too.
Over the past 20 years, Gregg has rebuilt four other A-model Kenworths, showing his loyalty to the brand. First was a 1980 W900A with a 425 hp Cat and a 5x4 transmission. Then, he built a 1982 W900A with an N14 Cummins with 525 hp and a 15-speed, followed by another 1982 A-model, this time with a 425 hp Cat. Most recently, he rebuilt a 1984 W900A with a 525 hp N14 Cummins and a 15-speed. Gregg knows when he comes upon something really good, and he never passes up a great opportunity – and his loyalty to old Kenworths really shows!
Tri-State Commodities started in 1970 when Jack Shupe split from Shupe Brother’s Trucking, a trucking outfit Jack had operated with his brother John from 1952 to 1969. In 1970, Jack Shupe bought his first truck directly from the Kenworth factory in Seattle. Gregg fondly remembers going with his father to pick up the truck, and then riding back home in it. From there, the company slowly grew to its current fleet of 50 trucks, which operate in the states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, California, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Tri-State’s trucks, which specialize in hauling grain, salt and similar cargoes, certainly get around. Their fleet also includes several dry-bulk tankers.
Gregg is a family man who knows where his values are, running much of the company with help from family members. With brother Grant and his wife Wendy, as well as her sister Jill Myles and cousin Dale Jenkins, they all keep the company running smoothly. Gregg’s cousin Harvey is the broker for Tri-State, and Gregg’s two sons also drive for the company – one locally, and the other, at 13 years old, around the yard and into the wash bay, much like Gregg did when he was younger. Gregg’s daughters also come around the shop to clean the trucks when they need a little extra cash in their pockets. At 84 years old, Jack Shupe, the man who started it all, still comes into the office every day to keep everyone in line.
Gregg would like to thank his wife, Cindi, of 25 years for all of her listening, advice and encouragement, as well as the long nights he spent working on “the other woman” (the “Class of ’78” Kenworth). Gregg also wants to thank his many drivers for their hard work, day and night, which keep Tri-State Commodities going. He would also like to thank Clyde Green for his many years of help and encouragement, Bill Fisher for his 25 years of unending service, and Keith Bothwell for doing all of the lettering and striping on all of the Tri-State trucks. Finally, he would like to thank his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the protection and blessings He has given Gregg, his drivers, his family and the company itself over the many years Gregg has been in charge.
I would personally like to thank Tri-State Commodities, Gregg Shupe and his driver’s, Todd Stockman and Clint Floy, for taking time out of their chaotic schedules to meet with me to take the pictures and do the interview. And although this trio of Tri-State trucks is incredible, these three men are even more impressive in my book. I can now understand why this trucking company has seen so much success!