A "Gimmy" & A "White"

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

Hi Erik,

Yes, I think Volvo still markets some forward control-type trucks and the like under the White badge. I believe that Marmon bit the dust a few years ago -- I'm not sure exactly when, but it's been within the last 5 years, I think.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Jason, you got that right.... Anytime the bus was anywhere near El Paso, Juarez was a designated "pit stop".

(To maintain the integrity of the thread, I think our bus was a "Jimmy") www.genejones.com

Dave Van Allen · From: Souderton, PA , US , Earth

and I thought "West Coast Turnaround" referred to a Brumley or Mooney instrumental passage...

Chris Schlotzhauer · From: Colleyville, Tx. USA

Here's a modern trucker's glossary of terms http://members.tripod.com/crocodile42/truckertalk.htm

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

If I'm not mistaken, the Freightliner came into existence through the freight company, Consolidated Freightways. They wanted a light truck built so they could carry more freight. They went to White and they came out with the Freightliner. For those who are interested, not only is a trucker limited to the amount of hours he can drive, he is also regulated as to his total gross weight. The lighter his truck, the more freight he can haul. The total gross weight used to be 73,000 lbs. but I think it's been bumped up to 80,000 lbs. Is that right? If you are overweight, you need to "dodge the scales alright" or pay an overweight fine. I think the scale at Eagleville, MO takes in enough revenue to keep the State of Missouri going! I know I paid my "fair" share one time!
Uff-Da!

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

Erv,

You are right -- Freightliner was started by the Consolidated Freightways company back in the 30's. They needed a truck which would maximize the amount of payload that could be carried in accordance with the laws of the western states (which were different than the laws of the eastern states at that time).

So, Consolidated Freightways started their own truck-building company "Freightliner" which initially only built trucks for use by CF. I'm pretty sure they had nothing to do with White until later.

Then, due to demand from other truckers, Freightliner decided to offer trucks for sale outside of CF. They did so for a number of years, and then decided that the marketing and sales aspect was more than they really wanted to get into, so they made an agreement with White to do the sales, marketing and distribution so they (Freightliner) could consentrate on building trucks. Freightliner was then sold off from CF to private investors.

Regarding gross weight, before standardization of gross vehicle weight laws, each state set their own maximum gross weights. The maximum was around 73,000 or so, but most states were different from each other -- some higher, some lower. Each state also reguired a carrier to register and obtain authority from it's respective Public Utilities Commission (or equivalent) as well as purchase a fuel permit sticker for fuel tax reporting purposes. Additionally, not all states honored other states vehicle registrations. Some states honored certain other states vehicle registrations while other didn't. There were various "compacts" between certain states for vehicle registration reciprocity. That's why, back in the old days, over-the-road trucks had several different license plates. In short, it was a real complicated mess.

Nowadays, trucks only need one license plate from their home state, as the result of Federal legislation, and they need only one fuel tax registration.

Federal law also mandates a at least an 80,000lb gross weight for specified vehicle combinations on what is referred to as the "Federal Highway System" which includes some interstates and US highways along with others.

Some states -- particularly out west (except for California), and Michigan, allow significantly higher gross weights. For example, Washington and Oregon allow single trailers and combinations up to 105,500lb GVW as long as the Federal Bridge Formula is met with regard to axle loading. Montana allows a gross weight of 134,000 (or something close to that), and Michigan allows a gross weight even higher than that (around 150,000 I believe).

Carter York · From: Austin, TX [Windsor Park]

I've moved this topic to "Truck Drivin"...

No, just kidding, but who'd a thought that a misspelled word (Gimmy) and some naiveness (a White?) would lead to this much info. Thanks to all of y'all, *SO* many songs make so much more sense now, this is great!

Carter

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Tom:
Yes another kicker was the length restrictions. It seemed that in the states that had a strong railroad lobby, there was a very restrictive length requirement. I remember we were doing a const. project in Sikeston, MO one Summer and we couldn't get there from here because I think their length restriction was around 50 ft. and our empty lowboy exceeded that. What a deal!
Uff-Da!

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

Erv -- you're right -- what a mess it used to be.

BTW -- I used to know an old trucker who, when asked how he was doing, often replied, "I've been poppin' pills, toppin' hills, and payin' bills!" Sounds like it could be the line from a song.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Tom:
You better send that to Dave Dudley. It sounds like another truck driving song to me!
Uff-Da!

Kenny Davis · From: Great State of Oklahoma

"...it seems like a month since I kissed my baby's be-hind..." (my version)

Joe Miraglia · From: Jamestown N.Y.

OK Guys--you had to bring up the subject about trucks. After working at Cummins Engine for 22 years, I finally have retired as of last September. I have loved every minute of retirement and have tried to forget about my former employment SO lets get back to talking about music. Since retirement I have joined a pretty good six piece country band and am really enjoy it. No more trucking songs--"I Wanna Talk About Me"--HA! HA! Joe

Tim Rowley · From: Pinconning, MI, USA

I used to work with a bass player who sang "Could 'a had a lotta women but I'm not like thum other guyth" complete with a gesture and a change of voice tone.

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

I think Commander Cody had a song called "Six Months on the Road" -- I never heard it so I don't know if it was a take off of "Six Days on the Road" or not. Anyone ever hear it?

Bill C. Buntin · From: Cleburne TX

Oh how I love the girl wearing nothing but a smile and a towel in her picture on the billboard in the field near the big ol Highway! I'm still looking for that billboard.

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