This month’s creation was built for Ryan Readmond of Ryan Readmond Trucking and Hay Sales LLC, in Meridian, ID – but it almost wasn’t. Married to Abby for four years, she is a full-time mom and part time orthodontist assistant. They have two children – Ryle (10) and Brooks (2). Ryle, who has a different mother from a previous relationship, loves trucks, and is really excited about this article. He has ridden many miles with his dad, and his favorite weekend is when they attend the Southern Idaho Truck Show, which is the only event they participate in each year.
Even though Ryan’s parents divorced at an early age, they worked it out and he was able to spend time with both. His dad Darin trucked and sold hay from the late 80s until around 2012, and his mom Tracey is a respiratory therapist. She later got remarried to Mark Geiger, and they have one daughter that is currently in college. Ryan grew up in Acton, CA until he was 17, then he moved to Idaho in 2007. He went to college for three years, and during this time he met Ryle’s mom. Not long after that, he got his CDL and started driving his dad’s truck. In 2012 he got his own authority and bought a truck.
After splitting up with Ryle’s mom, Ryan continued trucking in Idaho. Connecting with Abby later, the two started dating, and the rest is history. These days, her family is great and very supportive. Ryan even has a small corner of their family property where he parks his truck, his hay squeeze, and some equipment.
While growing up and all through his high school years, Ryan’s uncle Bret took him trucking all the time. He was a huge influence on Ryan and is very important to him. After years of being a company driver, Ryan encouraged him to get his own authority and buy a brand-new California-style hay truck. He now hauls for Ryan and takes care of 90-100% of his California customers. Ryan also said that Mike Lundquist of LT Express was very helpful, as well, as he financed Ryan’s first truck – a 2000 Peterbilt 379 with a 48” sleeper. He ran that truck for three years and then traded it in for a new 389 flattop in 2015. He ran that flattop until he picked up the new one pictured here.
Having a few friends that had bought trucks from me, when it came time to order a new one, he called me, and we hit it right off. This truck was supposed to be built in the fall of 2021, but unfortunately the plant shut down completely. When the factory finally came back on-line, they canceled a certain number of trucks, and made us reorder. They also put us on a limited allocation for builds. During this time, the pricing also changed at the factory level, which was frustrating for all involved. At this time, Ryan could have changed his mind, but he didn’t, deciding instead to go ahead with the build.
The beige truck is a 2023 Peterbilt 389 with a 72” HR sleeper, an X15 Cummins with 565-hp and 2,050 torque, an 18-speed, and all the good stuff. When the truck arrived, Cody was in charge of the build, and he installed a stainless drop visor, along with a stainless 379-style grill crown, and then a nice set of 379 headlights, provided by one of Ryan’s friends. We also hid the DEF tank, painted the front hubs, installed one of my body drop kits and wide cowl panels with small stainless blanks, added a 16” bumper from Valley Chrome, and five glass cab lights. Steer axle dumps with a cool old 359 flip switch were installed, along with dummy straight pipes with guards, a flush Merit deck plate with one of my hidden toolboxes and “V” boxes, four load lights, stainless Hogebuilt rear fenders, and a stainless box for the rear of the frame.
After it was all done, Cody did a complete paint correction and ceramic coat. Ryan wanted to thank his friends Cody Garner and Brad Powell at Outlaw Garage for providing the headlights and custom stainless box at the rear of the frame. These guys are very supportive, and always go the extra mile for Ryan. The truck turned out nice, and it is a blessing that we all have the right to change our minds – but I’m glad Ryan didn’t, for this beautiful ride.
