I use to be amazed at the size of the big trucks that use our interstate highway system. To me, it seemed like they kept getting bigger and bigger each year. One of the leading companies in the manufacturing of big rigs is that of “Peterbilt.”ongkir Surabaya Bandung
Lumber entrepreneur T.A. Peterman was faced with a major problem in the early part of the 20th century. He couldn’t get his freshly cut logs to the mill fast enough. Peterman, who did most of his business in Tacoma, Washington, had floated logs down the river as well as used horses to pull the cut logs. In order to keep up with the demanding need for plywood and lumber, he had to come up with another plan of transportation. He started to rebuild old US Army surplus trucks.
He first bought Fageol Motors in Oakland California. There he started to design a special chassis specifically for logging transportation. Every time he would try to improve on his new truck reproduction. He was always trying to find a more convenient way to help get the logs safely and quickly to the mill. During the “Great Depression” of the 30’s, like many other businesses, his companies assets hit zero. However, he still managed to work to improve his trucks. In 1939 his trucks were put to use hauling logs to the mills. A new company had successfully been born. Peterman died in 1945. His wife took over the business. Under her and seven other individuals of management they developed a line of heavy duty trucks for transporting goods.
In 1958, she sold the company to PACCAR (Pacific Car and Foundry Company). They made railroad cars. They had already bought Kenworth and was on their way to developing and producing Big Trucks for the transportation of goods across America.
In the 1960’s and 70’s, truckers were having major problems with finding places to park their rigs so that they could rest. Most hotels and motels were set up to handle automobiles in their parking lots but, not big trucks. Truckers would pull off the main highways into small parks or rest areas to sleep before continuing on their regular route. The PACCAR company decided to start making small sleeping areas inside the truck cabs for the drivers.
In 1978 the “sleeper was introduced. It was called the “Big Mamoo.” Peterbilt worked with Mercury Sleepers to develop a larger sleeping area located behind the cab of the truck. As time went by, these started to become more elaborate. The “Ultra sleeper” was designed so that a driver could go into the sleep area away from the other driver and sleep quietly. Many manufacturing companies liked this design. Now their drivers wouldn’t have to pay for a room to rest in. Teams of drivers could now move loads quicker across the States and more efficiently.
Husband and wife teams started to become very popular. They could share the driving and still maintain a lifestyle with each other as they traveled across America.
Peterbilt is now located in Denton, Texas. they have manufacturing facilities in Denton, Quebec, Canada, and Madison, Tennessee. Their slogan is “Class Pays.”