The Chrome Shop Mafia

By the looks of some of those trucks before they started maybe they expect that, and figure thats how to best help the "poor ole trucker" out. Lets face it if a guy lets his truck get as ratty as some of those trucks on the show chances are slim they would want to put the time and effort it takes to keep one of those trucks up, cause it goes way beyond hitting the streaking beacon once a week. I'd like to see some of those trucks a year or so after they've been done.

 

Some of the guys actually try to sell the newly "pimped trucks" Trick My Truck renovated soon after the truck is finished. Because the trucks were in such rough shape to begin with you have to ask yourself what these fellas priorities were to begin with. I bet many of them do not keep up with them either after they realize just how much effort it takes to keep them looking good.

Some that have serious issues at home with medical bills, sick family members etc do deserve a hand up. Should this elevate these individuals above the men and women that have spent several thousand dollars and untold hours of work buffing and polishing their own rigs and entering truck beauty contests for years (prior to cmt's Trick My Truck was ever even thought of) all the while trying to make a living?
I say no.
I view the recipients of Trick My truck renovations as charity plain and simple. Funny thing is I have spoken with other drivers that actually criticize the show for several reasons such as putting impractical "junk" on a work truck, and ripping out all the drivers storage area.

You got Deputy881 that owns Lockdown that even admitted he took down the flat screen tv and took out other supposed upgrades due to limited storage space.

 

Guy's it is what it is, a TV show, nothin more, it highlites some serious talent some of these people have, and seems to help a few out on the way, as for being realistic, well like most tele on the waves today, it isn't, most of thoes trucks are useless in the real world. I Would love to have one for a few months out here in new england during the winter, I drive flats and am always in mud and snow, sometimes more than on black top, I do alot of lumber from maine and these palces are deep in the woods, I would ruin one of thoes beautys in a day, But I like the show and as long as the helping out people thing is true, than let em have at it, if it is helping some poor family out.

 

could you tell us which owners have sold their trucks and which ones have decided to keep them. I do like the TC Express, Bonnie and Clyde and American Classic. The Lockdown was awesome. I wish these people would come to Florida as I would like to see one up close.

Hunter

 

I'm not very sure who sold their trucks or not to be honest. I know Icebreaker has been sold and so has category 5. Some people think what they see on T.V is real , such as jlkklj777.... I've had discussions with him in the past and not very impressed.

Most of the guys who have been selected to be on the show such as myself DO NOT have any sob stories. The trucks are , well lets say they are slightly doctored up a bit to make them look cheesey. My truck was jet black and not a scratch on it. On the show it had decals put on it along with a dented air cleaner. I tried explaining this too jlkklj777 , but he just can not understand that it is t.v. and not everything you read and see on t.v is real. The CSM are a bunch of great guys doing something nice for drivers and making themselves into rock stars.

As far as other drivers who put hard work and money into their own trucks ,well I was one of them for many years. At the Dallas truck show last Aug. I talked with lots of fellow drivers while their trucks were in the show with mine,not one of them were upset over the show. They actually thought it was really cool. jlkklj777 has no idea about the show or actual drivers at the truck shows.

Kinghunter, Thanks for the compliments on my truck. I do appreciate it. To answer jlkklj777 question, yes my truck looks as good as it did on the show. I take pride in my ride before the show and after the show. I was very honored to have won 2nd place at the Dallas truck show. I didnt think I would win anything with so many trucks there.

jlkklj777, not all those trucks in the shows are paid for by a solo owner. there's lots with corp. sponsors and financial help,or companies who put in their own trucks......

As for lockdown I will be putting it up for sale next week. I have a job with full time law enforcement and I'm getting out of trucking all together. I will miss my truck but it will pay off my bills so I can be home everynight and doing a job I love to do ( law enforcement )

Thanks again for the compliments on my truck,and sorry for so long of a delay in gettin back to you

 

Good luck with the law enforcement gig deputy. At the very least you should have an understanding of truckers and trucking that many of your counterparts do not.

I am not sure if the recession got you as it has many others but at least you have a famous rig that you can sell to take care of your finances for a while and that is more than alot of the lease ops, o/o's, and true independants that have folded up recently have. Most of these folks will be lucky to keep their homes and that is dependant upon them getting another job right away. At least you had a fall back position which means your ahead of the game.

There are many others failing each day and are giving up trucking so you are not alone. Wether you failed as they have or are changing careers because you enjoy law enforcement more doesn't matter so long as you are taking care of your family first and foremost. We can disagree on everything else except for this; "family is the most important thing to consider regardless of any job." Now you can say; "been there done that got the t-shirt."

 

Hey jlkklj777, Thanks for the note. Yes we have had some disagreements but hey not every one can agree right ?? lol

I didnt fail as an o/o , I'm just tired of all this silly stuff related to trucking. Sitting at docks for a unreasonable amount of time. Waiting in line to get fuel for a long time while the driver is getting food or messing around in the truck stop and doesnt care about the fellow drivers who are waiting to get fuel or waiting to leave the fuel island. The roads in Pa and Nj and many other states that have pot holes , sink holes and speed bumps on them tearing up the equipment not too mention spilling your coffee cup. Trucks and four wheelers who are going slower then you are untill you try too pass them. Getting paid by house hold good movers guide or even pc miler ( being short on the actual miles driven ). By the way I agree with you on the posting you did on that subject.With modern technology there is no reason to loose 7 to 10 % . WSE is now letting us give up too 19 % on loads !!!

I'm burned out and do not enjoy it anymore. Have allways enjoyed Law Enforcement much better so I'm going to go full time. Yes you are right about my truck,being what it is I'm in a much better position to get a good price for it. If I wasnt getting out of trucking all together I would never sell it though. Yes it is very sad of the ones who are failing out here. Only good business minded o/o's will survive out here these days. I have done pretty well no complaints financially.

YES you are very correct on the part about family!! Amen to that..
Well thanks again for the good luck wish ! Take care and be safe ! watch for the popo !! ( police ) lol seeya

 

I'm not liking the new season as well as the earlier ones. I think there was a rift between the cast and the show's producers and most of the originals left.

I agree a lot of the stuff they do to the trucks is impractical in the real world but it is a TV show and they are trying to get people to watch it besides truck drivers.

 

I don't have the slightest idea of what actually happens to the trucks on Trick My Truck, but I went t o the Mid-America Truck Show this past weekend and saw several of the Trick My Trucks there. Kind of makes me wonder what they supplied the driver with if they have that particular rig there. They do awesome work when you see the trucks up close. I was very impressed with the paint job on the trucks and I have worked in a body shop before. I could not believe the amount of detail in the paint jobs. It is all for show but it is nice to see a guy down on his luck get some help every once in a while.