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Iowa on fire: 2022 Walcott Truckers Jamboree

Fireworks, big sleeper cabs and pork chops – just a few of the talking points of the 2022 Walcott Truckers Jamboree held at the world’s largest truck stop – Iowa 80. OwnerDriver investigate the gleaming working trucks in the US Midwest while pondering why the North Americans are allowed large, luxurious cabs compared to Australia’s restrictive dog boxes.

If you are anything like me, you have most likely eyeballed the ensuing pages before reading my carefully composed waffle. That’s understandable, the trucks on the following pages are outstanding! I’m continually distracted just trying to write this piece. You have most likely also deduced that this story is not a locally-sourced exposé. Once again, kudos to you.

None of the trucks you’ve been perving at can be found on this great continent of ours. Even this story was written abroad.

I, in fact, started writing this while crammed into a seat built for a much smaller individual, dining on meals served at an eighth of the standard size while cruising along several thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean with my knees in my ears.

Here’s the kicker, though. If you think this story is about a truck show you would be completely wrong. It’s not. It is my attempt to impersonate an investigative journalist. Stop laughing, it’s true. I ‘Cirque du Soleil-ed’ myself into a cattle class seat and travelled for 20 hours to investigate the living conditions of the average North American trucker (that’s American for truckie). I put myself through all of that for you guys, so you are welcome. 

I understand there will be a few cynics out there calling “BS”, claiming: “If that’s the case how come all the photos are from the Iowa 80 Truckers Jamboree?” To which I say, just because the 43rd annual Walcott Truck Show was on the same weekend I was over there investigating how length regulations play a part in driver fatigue. It doesn’t mean I did all that travelling just to go to a truck show and take thousands of photos of extremely cool trucks. It very easily could have been a happy and lucky coincidence.

Okay, cards on the table. It wasn’t a coincidence. The cynics were kind of right. I had saved all my coins to experience the 43rd annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree. That’s a fancy name for a big ass truck show by the way.

This W900L was one of the coolest trucks passing through

Just like the amazing feed that was available courtesy of the Iowa 80 Pork Chop Cookout, it did not disappoint. It doesn’t mean I lied about the investigative stuff. I really was motivated to see how the length laws effected the lives of everyday truckers. I really wanted to investigate how the Americans can get away with not just decent sized sleepers, but in some cases extraordinary sleeper setups. I wanted to find out why.

It’s not like US drivers spend any longer on the road than the average Southern Hemisphere driver, but I was pretty sure they were not venturing into as many remote locations as an Australian outback trucker would. So, as I said at the start, there was more to my trip than just the amazing shine applied at Iowa 80.

If I’m honest then, I would say this story is 90 per cent investigative journalism and 10 per cent truck show, although I will also be delving into all the activities that went on during the three-day Jamboree event. Let’s say its 25 per cent truck show and 75 per cent learning about the US length laws.

However, I can’t write this without telling you about the massive Truckers Museum that’s on site at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. Let’s call it 35 per cent an expose on what decent bunks look like and 65 per cent about the show. But looking at all the images I took, there is only a few actual ‘sleeper’ photos compared to the dozens of truck show photos. I guess 10 per cent investigative journalism and 90 per cent truck show is probably more on the spot. Let’s go with that, OK? In that case I shall start with a bit of a roundup of the show.

It wasn’t all about the trucks in the show, the carpark, and in this case the motorhome park, was worth visiting. I caught up with Carol Smith, Doug Fetterly and Wolfie, along with their 1987 R-model Mack that they use to tow their motorhome around

Flagship workhorses

This was the 43rd annual running of the Truckers Jamboree at the ‘World’s Largest Truckstop’ and my second field trip to this Mecca of all truck stops. I know my memory is fading a little but my take was that the numbers were down a bit on the previous trip I did.

When I broached the subject with a couple of locals they agreed and pointed out a lot of shows were down on numbers as the fuel prices were putting the trailer brakes on a lot of people’s travels. It is worth noting that US fuel prices were hovering around the $5 per gallon. For those not up on the exchange rate, that works out to be about $1.85 per litre over here. Pretty much on par with us.

Regardless of the quantity, the quality of the trucks on show was still second to none. I spent a few days before the official showing watching drivers, their families and some regretful mates in, under and all over these flagship trucks, polishing the bejesus out of them.

One of the main things that distinguishes the Iowa 80 show from the likes of the Mid-America Trucking Show is that it’s predominantly packed with working trucks. Show quality working trucks, but still working trucks. This year’s line-up was no exception.

You can spend most of the day just wandering around the stunning line up of rigs in the competition area. If you happen to be a fast walker you will have plenty of time to wander among the regular truck parking area as well. When the Iowa 80 Truckstop isn’t cordoning off an area for the Jamboree, the place has parking for 900 trucks! Before you ask, yes, even with that many parks finding one at the end of the day is just as difficult as it is at Eastern Creek. Though not as many local blokes tend to drop their trailers and head home for the night.

One of the nicest young blokes I met over there was young Mike Harbison. Having recently lost his father, Mike still made the journey to display his family’s legendary Mack trucks. They were packed full of character

 

Just to give you an indication of how big this place it, the truck stop sits on a 220 acre block … or 89 hectares. That’s a lot in case you didn’t gather that. It is a massive place. The main building, that’s the one that caters for around 5,000 daily travellers, is over 6,000 square metres and caters for all your needs. Not only that, but it also caters for the needs you didn’t even know you needed.

I was able to get a great feed at the Iowa 80 Kitchen. That’s the truck stop’s dine-in buffet restaurant. I was also able to get an extremely rich and oversized ‘medium’ sundae from the in-house Wendy’s. Then, before I went down to the chrome shop to buy some chrome brake buttons and hood ornaments, I popped in to have a go on the world’s largest Pac Man machine. Turns out I’m as crap at Pac Man now as I was when it first came out.

All of this is under the main building’s roof and on the first floor. When you head upstairs in the main building you will find all the driver amenities. Chiropractor, dentist, gym, hairdresser, movie theatre, minister and a hell of a big laundry. Don’t get me started on the showers – OMG!

Once you leave the confines of the main building you have the huge Truckers Museum to entertain you. There is a plethora of classics under this roof, and I almost feel guilty whinging about us not having big enough sleepers after looking at the gear the Americans used to run across the country. There are some icons of US trucking beautifully restored in this massive museum.

Alongside all the stuff to refresh and revitalise the drivers you will find equal number of facilities to refresh and revitalise your ride. From a 24-hour service centre to a multi-bay wash facility. There is the certified CAT scales and even a multi-bay wash facility for your pet. It really does have it all.

Just showing you this inside of another ‘standard’ sleeper. This time we are inside Eva Knelsen’s W900 Kenworth. Yep, 72-inch here. Imagine if we were allowed that; Once again, this is the standard of the trucks that just call in to visit the Iowa 80 Truckstop.

For the past 43 years around early July the Iowa 80 Truckstop has blocked off many of the 900-odd parking spots and hosted the Walcott Truckers Jamboree. This year it coincided with my investigative trip to the US. Lucky me!

As I mentioned this was my second experience of Iowa hospitality and, even with lower numbers, the three-day event was bustling. It kept me highly entertained with fireworks closing out the Thursday and Friday night activities. It got a little damp on Friday morning for a few hours, but it didn’t put paid to any of the intensely competitive Trucker Olympics, nor did it spoil any of the concerts that were organised throughout the entire event.

Truth be told, you don’t need to hear about it from me. You really should experience it. The local Mid-West warmth is worth the visit alone. Add in some amazing trucks and it is a great week away. Have a look through the photos and get a feel for the fun they put on over there when they host a jamboree.

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Decent sleepers

Before finishing, I did say was doing some investigative work in the US and I was telling the truth. I wanted to know what they class as a decent sleeper setup over there. In Australia in seems any alteration to the length laws is a chance to put bigger and longer trailers on the road. Anyone wanting a decent sleeper needs either a master’s degree in permit interpretation and a bottomless piggy bank, or they can only tow a single and can’t compete in an increasingly aggressive industry.

We can tow 42-pallet super B-doubles, or pocket road trains, that seem to stretch out longer than a politician’s promise. However, we can’t put a bonneted truck, with a bullbar and a 60-inch bunk, in front of a 34-pallet B-double. 

What did I learn over in the land of aircraft carrier wheelbases? I learnt a 60 to 70-inch sleeper is practically a given. What we class as a sleeper is here is basically a day cab over there. The reason being they really have no length limits on their tractor units. Their regulations are measured from the kingpin back. This puts the restrictions on the trailers that are being towed rather than the overall vehicle length, like we have here.

The end result is drivers can have a truck they can live in. 

I know there are much smarter people than me making the decisions around truck lengths. I’ve never worn a suit, discussed dividends with shareholders nor ordered a Venti 7 pump vanilla soy 12 scoop matcha, or no foam green tea latte, while flying business class. I have, however, spent a lot of time on the road. I reckon that does allow me to have some insight into the situation.

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It’s about time the decision makers appreciate how much of an impact confined spaces have on a driver’s mental health and fatigue. The advantages of a decent sleeper extend past the obvious things like more storage space and a larger area for fridges, microwaves and luxury items like that.

Think of the drivers that are regularly spending 10 to 12 days on the road. All that time on the road, away from home, can be very isolating and, under current conditions, it is rather cramped. 

When you pull up following 14 hours of driving and can separate yourself from that work environment, it is like a huge mental relief valve. That’s an indulgence that shouldn’t be restricted solely to trucks running west with road trains or those who can afford the time and money to navigate the complicated permit system.

I’d love to have a massive whinge about those that are tasked with deciding the working conditions of a job they have never experienced but you guys have better things to do.

Let’s just summarise it this way. The Americans have worked it out. If they can do it, surely we can.

Now go and enjoy some quality US iron, take note of the sleeper cab photos I did while impersonating an investigate journalist and let’s hope one day we learn from those bloody yanks. 

For more on extravagent US trucking evemts and more, grab a copy of OwnerDriver magazine’s September edition.

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