March/April 2009 Editorial Road Tests: 2009 GMC Yukon 4WD Hybrid & 2009 Chevrolet Traverse AWD 2LT Association News: 46th Annual MTA Truck Show and Convention Association News: ITA Annual Golden Gloves Boxing Night Associaion News: ITA Holds Day-long Intermodal Seminar Association News: ITA Discusses Accident Investigations Association News: ITA Discusses EOBRs and Hours of Service Curmudgeon’s Comments: Avoid Paralysis by Analysis Association News: Illinois Legislative News from the MTA Industry News: ATA Unveils New Image Trailer Industry News: Goodyear Names Finalists for Highway Hero Award AFMBG Editorial Material Home AFMBG Web Site Home

Association Breaks Records Again With Sold Out Show In Peoria From left, Suzanne McKinney from Donaldson stands with John Lambrecht, Joe Phillips, Bob Giguere and Tim Gaumer, all from Inland Power Group. Above: John McNally (left) and Steve LaRue of General Truck Parts. Inset: LaRue brought along his bagpipes to provide attendees some entertainment. Bigger than ever, the Mid-West Truckers Association (MTA) held its 46th annual Convention and Truck Show Feb. 5--7, 2009 in Peoria, Ill. The truck show, which was held on Feb. 6 and 7, featured exhibits from 150 vendors. “We’ve really maxed out the space in Peoria,” said Matt Hart, MTA representative. “The Mid-West Truck show has a good reputation; it’s a very serious show.” The 2009 show was 25 percent bigger than 2008’s - which was twice as big as the 2007 show, he added. Despite the rough economy, both vendors and customers took the time to attend the show. The exhibition space actually sold out. “What more can you ask for in these times?” said Don Schaefer, MTA Executive Vice President. “Vendors realize that in the good times they can take orders,” he elaborated. “In the bad times, they have to go out and sell.” One special guest that surely elaborated on the economic state of the country was new U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Schaefer said LaHood spoke to convention attendees about what they can expect in the trucking industry under the new Obama administration. “He spoke at the show seven years ago,” Schaefer said. “It was nice to have him back.” LaHood also took some time to check out some of the trucks and exhibitions on display, Schaefer added. Besides lectures and break out sessions during the convention, the truck show included the second annual Trucker’Äôs Pride Truck Beauty Contest. This contest featured 22 beautiful trucks from several different makes and models, maintained by owners who truly take pride in their trucks. Naresh Jain (left) and Sandeep Chaudhuri of JSC Global Solutions, Inc. A 2007 Freightliner owned by Bob Stock of Lebanon, Ill., which was featured in the Trucker’s Pride Truck Beauty Contest. From left, Tessa McCain, Tim Davies and Amy Jones of Central Sleep Diagnostics. Bob Kirkpatrick of Alumitank, which manufactures specialized aluminum tanks. Additionally, 4 State Trucks, home of the Chrome Shop Mafia, displayed two trucks at the show. The Inferno, owned by Gailand Johnston, is a 300” Kenworth W900. The truck, painted by Ryno, was the pilot truck on the CMT series “Trick My Truck.” The exterior features a pearl background with deep orange flames, while the interior has hard wood floors and an array of gadgets on the dashboard. Center: From left, Cy King, Buzz Sweeden, Carol Sweeden and Gailand Johnston, all of 4 State Trucks, stand in front of Inferno, a W900 Kenworth. Johnston owns the truck. Left inset: The back of the Inferno’s tractor. Right inset: The custom dashboard inside the Inferno truck. Furthermore, the Chrome Shop Mafia works with Central Illinois Trucks, who also had one of the CSM’s trucks on display. That truck, a 2009 Kenworth W900L with a 525 HP Cummins ISX engine and an 18-speed transmission, is called the “Pit Boss.” It features black, grey and maroon detailing, and retails for $150,000. Most everyone would expect to see gorgeous trucks, as well as parts and accessories at the truck show. However, Central Sleep Diagnostics was on hand to get the word out about sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Central Sleep Diagnostics, based in Northbrook, Ill., takes sleep disorder testing out of the lab and into the home - or the truck in the case of truck drivers. Taking the study to a driver’s truck gives the driver an opportunity to get tested without losing precious time or money. From left, Mike Grillo, Kris Harris and Shane Chapwesk of RoadRage Designs, which creates and installs graphics for cars and fleets. From left, a 1998 Peterbilt owned by Adam Russell of Fieldon, Ill. and a 1998 Mack owned by Scott Lynch of Witt, Ill., both were part of the Truck Beauty Contest. “Because we recreate the natural sleep environment there is no anxiety,” said Tim Davies, Regional Manager of Business Development. His company is the only one to take the sleep study to the patient, he added. The company uses compact and wireless equipment, so those being tested can move about during the night if necessary. After setting up the patient in their truck or home, a sleep tech monitors the study from the company’Äôs diagnostic facility, away from the patient’s home. “Ultimately we hope to become exclusive contractors with the trucking industry,” Davies said. “We want to let companies know we’re out here.” For more information about the MTA or what’s coming up for the 2010 show, visit www.mid-westtruckers.com, or call 217-525-0310. Dwayne English (left) and Matt Johnson were on hand to promote the World’s Largest Truck Convoy. Tim Summers from Caterpillar enjoyed the show. A 1984 Mack owned by Sharon Davison of New Holland, Ill. was featured in the Truck Beauty Contest. Laura Nussbaum (left) and Janet Faulk of Central Illinois Trucks stand next to a 2009 Volvo. Paul Weiss was at the show representing Sloan Air Brake, and showing off a 7-way trailer cable. From left, Russ Siegel, Ken Nolte and Brian Snyder of Caterpillar. Kent Dunkelbarger of Modal Marketing stands with an Infared Heater that can run on diesel or propane. Bill Sarsfield from Bendix was hard at work at the show.