Driver Lifestyles
Driven to win: Don and Yvonne Gibson's working show truck
Don and Yvonne Gibson have entered into a new phase of their expediting careers - showing their truck in competition.
The couple recently took part in Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Championship contest at the Mid-America Trucking Show and Yvonne says that this is just the beginning, with more shows to come.
"This was the first event we have entered and we had a great time! We're looking forward to the next competition in Las Vegas."
Don and Yvonne, who hail from Biloxi, MS, have been leased with FedEx Custom Critical's for five years, the last four with the company's White Glove division.
Yvonne says that her grandfather and her father were truck drivers - that's where she learned to drive. She spent 25 years in over-the-road trucking and Don was in general trucking for fifteen years. The two met while driving for a trucking company before moving into expediting 5 years ago.
When they began in expediting, they owned a Volvo tractor, but wanted to downsize so Don ran for a "D" truck owner to see if he enjoyed driving a smaller truck.
Obviously, Don liked driving a truck that doesn't bend in the middle because the couple ordered a 2005 Freightliner M2 112.from Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu. Heath Wood, the dealership's Sales Manager says that it was the first M2 that he knows of that was built on the 112 chassis. "The Gibsons wanted longevity out of their equipment and they wanted the room. They don't go home very often, so the truck is their home. The truck now has
61,000 miles on the clock.
Heath adds that this truck features Class 8 components throughout, including power from a CAT C-11 with 350HP running through an Eaton 10-speed Autoshift. Heath recalls that when the truck was being taken to various vendors during the building process, his driver commented how smooth and powerful the truck was.
The Gibsons' new truck features a Kidron 21' temperature controlled box with a a Carrier 844 belly mount refrigeration unit. Auxiliary power comes from a Proheat generator with separate fuel tank for generator and refrigeration unit. Yvonne says that this enables them to keep closer track of fuel expenses. A 3300 lb. Leyman liftgate completes the truck's freight hauling "package".
The truck has highly-polished twin 80-gallon fuel tanks and wheels. Middle Georgia installed extra LED lighting on the cargo box. Future plans for the truck include a water heater, additional tool boxes and additional lighting.
FedEx Custom Critical classifies the truck as a "C" unit. Yvonne says that they can haul the "C"-sized freight but they still have extra room in the box for their bicycles and golf clubs.
Yvonne says, "I don't need a big sleeper with a shower and everything in it, because when we get fuel, we get a shower. I just wanted a sleeper that's comfy. If I'm cooking, I tell Don that dinners ready and we pull over, set up the table and eat.
Yvonne utilized her decorating experience and creativity in finishing out the
96" AA raised roof condo sleeper. Yvonne says, "I was so tired of gray sleeper interiors and I wanted blue."
This truck was also the first that Heath and Larry Miller from AA Sleepers used a blue interior Now, everyone who sees this color interior likes it, so it has become the standard color for this model.
The total construction time for the truck was 9 months and the Gibsons picked up their new unit at the end of October 2004.
Other sleeper features include:
GE Range burner, An extra-deep sink Extra windows 20" TV with in-motion satellite Oversized refrigerator/freezer. Oak cabinets Double bunks Matching curtains and tablecloth. "The motif is a little Italian cafe," says Yvonne.
So, how'd they do in the Paul K. Young Truck Beauty show?
Well, even though Don and Yvonne faced some stiff opposition, their truck took 3rd place overall and 2nd place interior in expediting division. Not bad for a first time out!
Heath Wood says that Middle Georgia Freightliner-Isuzu will be sponsoring the Gibsons in upcoming major truck competitions. The couple plans to enter their next competition at the Las Vegas truck show.