Riding shotgun in OOIDA's new Western Star

When it comes to trucks, the way it drives, the way it works, the way it holds up to the task at hand is all critical. How it looks is also high on the list. That’s why Western Star Truck Sales came up with a Design Our Star project, handing the power to Western Star fans to vote on what went into Western Star’s 2014 show truck.

Come on, Jon, let's roll.

The truck was unveiled at the 2014 Mid-America Trucking Show last week – a red, white and blue Western Star 4900EX, ultra-high sleeper with a maple red premium interior, Detroit DD16 engine, 18-speed manual transmission, ’70s paint job with plenty of chrome and lots of accessories.

Then the big moment: Western Star’s Guy Lemieux explained that the company was giving the truck to OOIDA for 24 months. Our own truck pilot Jon Osburn and OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer accepted the keys.

On Saturday night, the truck rolled out of the glitzy Western Star booth where it was sitting beside Optimus Prime (yes, the Transformer truck). With Jon behind the wheel, it cruised over to Papa John’s parking lot.

I like the way “Land Line Now” Host Mark Reddig described its arrival.

Jon "I am the captain" O.

“Tony Justice had just finished a rockin’ good song and here comes Jon in the new Western Star, lights blazing, right up beside the stage. Jon gave two blasts of the air horn and the crowd went wild. That entry couldn’t have been more exciting had it been totally planned, which it wasn’t.”

Sunday morning Jon headed back to OOIDA headquarters with me riding shotgun.

When we rolled north out of Louisville, the truck had 1,020 miles on it. It’s a joy to ride in. I really liked the seats and all the adjustments. I am only 5 feet tall, and with Sassi Dogg on my lap just some fine-tuning and we were totally comfy. Note: The seat belts were awesome and did not choke me.

The dash is a veritable cockpit. The door lock buttons sit on top of a well-upholstered door, and when we stopped for fuel Sassi locked Jon out. Fortunately for him, she locked me in.

The truck was so quiet, we could hear the bugs hit the windshield. Well, the big bugs at least.

It was so quiet, I could hear Jon gnashing his teeth and muttering as we endured some St. Louis four-wheelers demonstrating their worst driving habits right in front of us.

Incredibly cool truck.

Electronic logs and driver harassment: Where do the vendors stand?

We’ve heard a lot about electronic logging in recent years. It’s not because truckers and others are debating the pros and cons. It’s because Congress and the administration have proposed to make them mandatory.

As reported in Land Line, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published its supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking for electronic logs in the Federal Register on Friday during MATS week.

One of the manufacturers of such devices, a company called VDO, part of Continental Corp., was at MATS to discuss their RoadLog products with the press and the public.

When asked how their devices would meet the technical specs that accompany the proposed rule, company officials said they were still reviewing the materials and were not prepared to comment. But they did share some information that truckers may find valuable as the discussion moves along.

OOIDA and truckers are concerned that an ELD mandate would not address the issue of technology being used by carriers, dispatchers and others to harass drivers. This concern extends to being bothered or "pinged" to report or answer questions during on-duty, not-driving hours.

The basic VDO RoadLog device

The people at VDO say the basic device they offer is not equipped for direct communication.

“One of the key elements of the driver harassment issue is having the fleets do something they don’t feel like doing, for whatever reason,” Jeff Waterstreet, sales manager for VDO RoadLog, told Land Line.

“The existing Roadlog product that we sell today has no over-the-air communication, so there’s not a way for a fleet to harass a driver.”

In addition to the harassment issue, truckers may also be concerned about the cost of doing business under an ELD mandate.

VDO says an owner-operator could expect to pay about $600 for a basic VDO Roadlog. The fleet-specific packages would run about $700.

Waterstreet says the RoadLog does not come with additional costs, subscriptions or monthly fees.

Testing, testing ...

It's Friday morning, and the show is in full swing. Attendees are strolling along, filling their tote bags with MATS goodies. In a South Wing conference room just off the main corridor, a few truckers have stopped to sign up on clipboards - not for a chance to win a fancy prize, but for the opportunity to speak directly with the people who develop the rules they must live by on the highways.

FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro with
OOIDA Life Member Michael Potwin
and Rachel Martin
Photo by David Tanner, Land Line Magazine

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has hosted a public listening session at MATS each of the past few years. And although this year's session was about "New Entrant Knowledge Testing" - not the most exciting subject - the panelists, including FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, heard a wide variety of topics on truckers' minds.

A few truckers used their time at the mic to speak about driver training and the role of technology -- for better or for worse -- in vehicle safety and industry compliance.

Truckers like Michael Potwin of Ridgewater, Mass., used his podium time to talk about big-picture issues such as the shortage of safe truck parking; the effects of CSA and enforcement on the small-business operator; and how technology such as electronic logs, adaptive cruise control and speed limiters are no substitute for a trained and experienced driver behind the wheel.

"Safety is a wonderful thing but (technology) is something that a lot of people hide behind," Potwin said.

During a midday break between morning and afternoon sessions, Potwin and companion Rachel Martin said they were glad for a chance to interact directly with Anne Ferro, the top federal regulator for their industry. Ferro in turn said she was glad to meet with truckers and hear directly about issues that affect them.

"I wish there were more truckers here for this opportunity," Potwin said.

Meet the new ride ...

There was only one thing to do with the new, one-of-a-kind Western Star designed by fans of the iconic truck maker, and that was to present it to OOIDA to use as the Association's new tour truck.

Western Star's Guy Lemieux presents the ceremonial key
to OOIDA Executive VicePresident Todd Spencer, and
OOIDA tour truck driver Jon Osburn.
Photo by David Tanner, Land Line Magazine

Decked out in a retro red-white-and-blue paint scheme, OOIDA's new tour truck will be hard to miss when it makes the rounds at truck stops and events around the country.

Western Star Marketing Segment Manager Guy Lemieux handed off the keys to OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer and Spirit of the American Trucker driver Jon Osburn on Friday morning at the Western Star exhibit at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Western Star's "Design Our Star Project" was a unique interactive concept because the fans called the shots on social media for what the truck would look like. Hint: It's got the biggest of everything available from the engine to the sleeper.

Jon will certainly be riding in style for the next two years. Keep an eye on the tour schedule in Land Line Magazine and on the Web and make sure you stop and see this truck in all its glory. Click here to watch a video of the presentation.