Equipment

Moving Shaba, A Decommissioned F-117 Nighthawk

Landstar Agent Mike Thompson and Business Capacity Owners Brian and Lisa Clevenger made headlines when a certain F-117 Nighthawk was photographed during transport for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® in 2019.
The Nighthawk’s move to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was even featured as a cover story in The Road to Success® magazine.

So, when the opportunity came to plan the logistics for another Lockheed fighter jet, Thompson, the agency owner of D&M Transportation Inc., felt like he shouldn’t brag about the move. However, his customer Air Zoo thought the arrival of its new F-117 nicknamed Shaba really was something to boast about.

The first operational Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk released for public display east of the RockiesAffectionately called the Kalamazoo Air Zoo by air enthusiasts, the Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum in Michigan had been waiting more than a year to announce the transport of the aircraft.

“I really can’t believe the time has finally come, to sign for and start this exciting journey back to Southwest Michigan with the first operational Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk released for public display east of the Rockies,” Air Zoo President and CEO Troy Thrash announced via press release November 30, 2020. Additionally, Thrash explained he would join the three Landstar BCOs Brian and Lisa Clevenger, and Zach Lindler to document the plane’s transport from Tonopah, Nevada.

By Dec. 2, Air Zoo’s social media channels were buzzing with excitement as Shaba began its 2,000 mile-long haul. The museum shared daily social media updates about the BCO trucks hauling the F-117 fuselage and wings through photos, videos, and live commentary.

With the plane’s wings secured to his trailer, Landstar BCO Zach Lindler was the first truck to arrive at Air Zoo. “We are so excited to welcome the first truck carrying the wings of the F-117 Nighthawk Shaba to Kalamazoo!”

Air Zoo continued to document the project’s progress via social media from the unloading of the wings to the arrival of the 100-foot long, 20-foot wide fuselage.

Flatbed Haul - Wings of Shaba Decommissioned Nighthawk F-117Nine days after leaving Nevada, the Clevengers made the final turn toward the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. In parade-like fashion, the truck was greeted by eager onlookers, waiting to catch a glimpse of the well-traveled stealth fighter jet.

“Because of the professionalism and experience of Landstar BCOs, customers like Air Zoo have enough confidence in our services that they invited the community to watch as the Nighthawk arrived,” said Landstar Agent Mike Thompson. “I know I said that I didn’t want to brag too much, but yes, transporting Shaba was something to brag about.”

The restoration of Shaba, the decommissioned Nighthawk F-117 (tail No. 817), is expected to take a year. The public is invited to view is the restoration while at the Air Zoo Discovery Center. To learn more about Shaba’s journey and watch the video footage of the Landstar BCOs’ trek to Michigan visit www.AirZoo.org.

Watch Shaba’s journey to the Air Zoo, and the ongoing restoration of the F-117 Nighthawk:

Inspection Connection

Follow the signs to get your Landstar trailer inspected and get hooked up with prizes during the first-ever Landstar Inspection Connection! The month-long trailer inspection event kicks off on Safety Thursday Sept. 19, and continues through Safety Thursday on Oct. 17.

For a chance t o win more prizes from vendors including Great Dane, Hyundai, Fontaine, TA/Petro and Vanguard, make plans to have your inspection during Safety Thursday on September 19. That day approved third-party inspectors will conduct on-site trailer inspections at the following Landstar locations:

  • Fort Worth, Texas
  • Jefferson, Georgia
  • St. Augustine, Florida
  • Laredo, Texas

If you can’t make it on Safety Thursday Sept. 19, make plans to have your trailer inspected anytime during the month-long Inspection Connection event! During Inspection Connection, independent Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) will automatically be entered to win weekly prizes by having 120-day trailer inspections completed on their Landstar-owned or -rented trailers at any Landstar approved inspection site.

Every eligible BCO who has an inspection complete at an approved Landstar inspection site, by Oct. 17, also will be entered for a chance to win one of two grand prizes – a ride aboard the Goodyear Blimp or a two night stay at a condo in Orlando, Florida!

And there’s more! Every BCO who gets their Landstar trailer inspected between Inspection Connection kick-off and the end of this year, will also earn an additional truck entry in the 2020 Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway! www.DeliverToWin.com.

*Inspection Connection weekly prize drawings will take place after each 7-day period during the month-long event, starting Sept. 19, 2019. The Inspection Connection random grand-prize drawings will take place the day after the month-long inspection event on Friday, October 18. After each winner is notified, Landstar will announce prize winners on the Landstar Owner-Operator BCO Facebook page.

Landstar Truck

Under Pressure: The Benefits of TPMS

The FMCSA cites poorly maintained tire pressure as one of the top 10 potentially fatal risks involved with operating a commercial motor vehicle. To increase safety and security on the road, Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) are turning to technology to monitor their truck and trailer tire pressure while on the go. Continue reading

Kevin Rutherford’s Business Advice for Owner-Operators

Kevin Rutherford, radio host of Trucking Business & Beyond on SiriusXM / Road Dog Trucking, explains to independent owner-operators the importance of investing in new equipment.

Your truck is a tool.  A tool that is instrumental for you to run your business and you can’t run a successful business with an inefficient tool. As an owner-operator, investing in a new truck is something that you may have to do a few times in your career in order to stay competitive with large fleets. Large fleets tend to get rid of trucks once they reach 400,000-600,000 miles. Although you may be able to stretch the life span of your truck longer than that if it’s well manufactured and well maintained, you’ll eventually get to a point where you start pouring more money into your truck than what it’s worth.

Costs of an Older Truck vs. Costs of a Newer Truck

There are four major costs that you need to keep in mind as you’re looking at newer trucks – truck payment, truck insurance, fuel and maintenance costs. It’s simple to compare the new payment and insurance costs to what you’re currently paying but fuel and maintenance costs can be a little difficult to calculate. Look for the most reliable sources, do your research and make your best guess. Understand that this isn’t always going to be an absolute numbers game.

Now, think about these costs on a per-mile basis, then compare it to the costs for your current truck. For example, what is your truck payment per mile with your current truck? What would your truck payment per mile be on a newer truck? If you discover that the new costs are similar to the current costs, it doesn’t make sense not to buy a newer truck.

In fact, you may find that purchasing a new truck would be cheaper than maintaining your current truck especially when it comes to fuel costs. Let’s say you have an older truck getting six or seven miles per gallon and see that a newer truck would get you eight or nine miles per gallon. On average, that one or two mile difference could save you $15,000 per year.

Throughout your research, maybe you’ll discover that a new truck is going to financially cost you more but will save you time. Service intervals are longer on new trucks therefore you would spend less time in the shop. Less time in the shop means more time on the road and more money in your pocket.

Purchasing a newer truck is a long-term investment so you need to look long-term before you make a decision. Maybe your purchase won’t save cash today but it could two years from now. The costs of maintaining an older truck will eventually get more expensive and ultimately, you’ll need to invest in a newer truck.

Trucks Made In 2012 and After

It’s hard to forget the years 2004-2011, otherwise known as “the decade of don’t own those engines.” Trucks that were manufactured during this time period were expensive to maintain, had a lot of emission related problems and constantly had to be serviced. Luckily truck manufacturers learned from the mistakes of previous years and implemented newer emission standards in trucks made in 2012 and after. Owning a truck that has these newer emission standards will even get you into California, which could open up a brand new market for you.

The dreaded decade may make you hesitant to purchase a newer truck but trucks have improved a lot since then and continue to do so each year. Pay attention, look around, talk to other owner-operators and you’ll see that purchasing a truck manufactured in 2012 and after is a good investment.

Upgraded Comfort and Safety Features

Thanks to better manufacturing processes and advancements in technology, newer trucks have safety and comfort features that your older truck probably doesn’t have. Some of the safety features common in newer trucks are lane departure warnings, front looking radars, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. Having a truck with these features will help you remain competitive with other fleets.

Newer trucks are known for being better designed to support the modern truck driver’s lifestyle. The cab and sleepers are comfier and there’s better electrical outputs to sustain your kitchen appliances, laptops and cell phone chargers. While you’re driving, you can expect better aerodynamics, a smoother ride and a reduction in noise.

Investing In Your Business

We are in the autonomous trucking revolution therefore staying up to speed with other carriers and fleets will be crucial to the future of your business. Old trucks will be phased out before you know it and you’ll eventually have to spend the money on a newer truck. Outdated equipment isn’t going to cut it. If you think it’s time to start shopping around for a new truck, remember to look for one that has overall good value, will help you minimize future costs, is equipped with up-to-date safety features, and will be a smart investment for your business.

Kevin Rutherford is a business trainer, author of national articles on trucking and finance, small fleet owner, tax preparer, and radio host of Trucking Business & Beyond on SiriusXM / Road Dog Trucking. He started his career as an owner-operator 30 years ago, running a one-truck operation. He has authored several books on how to be successful as an owner-operator and has given seminars to thousands of owner-operators, drivers, and fleet executives in the U.S. and Canada. He also has prepared thousands of federal and state tax returns for owner-operators and company drivers. Visit www.letstruck.com for more information on Rutherford’s business and tune into his show, Trucking Business & Beyond, on SiriusXM Channel 146 every weekday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET.