the last word

June 1, 2006
Worked-over workhorse Perhaps for the cowboy who already has everything, Monroe Truck Equipment is producing Cinch Jeans super pickup versions of GM's Chevy Kodiak and TopKick trucks. Each Cinch edition boasts Monroe's suspension, which lowers the body by four inches to match up with most fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers. There's also a custom seat package with distressed leather captain chairs and

Worked-over workhorse

Perhaps for the cowboy who already has everything, Monroe Truck Equipment is producing Cinch Jeans “super pickup” versions of GM's Chevy Kodiak and TopKick trucks.

Each Cinch edition boasts Monroe's “So-Low” suspension, which lowers the body by four inches to match up with most fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers. There's also a custom seat package with distressed leather captain chairs and a rear bench seat emblazoned with the Cinch crest logo.

Adding still more luxury to this workhorse, other features include an MTX Thunder Dome axial speaker upgrade, a custom console with a DVD player and 15-in. flip-down TV/entertainment system with headliner-mounted speakers. Rear- and side-view camera systems are optionally available to ease maneuvering in tight areas.

“This truck is ideal for those needing towing capabilities for fifth-wheel campers and horse trailers yet have the desire to ride in style,” says Ross Hendrix, GM's director of marketing — commercial trucks & vans. “Not only does it look stylish, it's a workhorse with medium-duty horsepower and torque, which are the name of the game.”

“All our production slots are sold out [for 2006]. We thought we'd sell out in May or June but it happened in April. Now we wait and see how deep the drop-off is going to be for 2007 and how long it will take sales to come back.”
— Kevin Flaherty, vp — sales and marketing, Mack Trucks

Convoy this!

Stretches of highway throughout North America will be lined with an expected 4,000 trucks in convoy to celebrate support of the athletes of Special Olympics on September 16. Truckers and members of law enforcement agencies from throughout the U.S. and Canada will join forces that day to hold the “World's Largest Truck Convoy 2006” (WLTC).

Trucking companies and truckers wishing to participate may visit www.worldslargesttruckconvoy.com for more information and a registration packet.

Lucky guy

On top of walking away with the largest share of the $2 million race purse, Roy Jackson, owner of Barbaro — the three-year-old thoroughbred who took the 2006 Kentucky Derby — rode off with a specially built International RXT.

The five-ton commerical pickup, built to the specifications of the winning owner, carries a value of approximately $135,000 and was awarded by International in its role as a corporate partner with the Churchill Downs track and the Derby.

“A Kentucky Derby winner knows a thing or two about horsepower, so the 310-horsepower RXT should be an appropriate extra incentive to win the race,” notes David Johanneson, group vp of sales & distribution for International Truck Group. “This truck is ideal for the equestrian market and we're proud to be a part of such a prestigious tradition like the Kentucky Derby.”

Sentimental journey

This summer the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) will retrace the 3,230-mile route taken by the first Transcontinental Motor Train in 1919. That epic jaunt was organized by then Lt. Col. Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower.

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) is helping sponsor the AASHTO road trip in memory of the night Harvey Firestone invited Ike and his troops to enjoy a fried chicken dinner at his farm outside Columbia, OH, during their 55-day journey from sea to shining sea at an average speed of 6 mph.

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