American Trucker

2011 · Reality · Documentary

American Trucker is a television show on the Speed cable channel. Hosted by Robb Mariani, the pilot episode featured Robb helping another mechanic restore one of the classic 1980 Kenworth K-100 Aerodyne trucks used in the TV show B. J. and the Bear, along with a short piece about the world's largest truck stop, the Iowa 80. Running a total of 13 episodes for Season 1, American Trucker is currently filming a new 13 episode Season 2 content to run late summer thru fall of 2011. The show is produced by Bud Brutsman and Steve Beebe of Overhaulin' fame. Show content is derived from Robb's knowledge and experience with trucks and trucking history. Robb is a past cast member of HGTV's Design Star series. Dan Bruno, the owner of such famous trucks as the Rubber Duck's Mack truck from Convoy and past owner of the Peterbilt tanker from Duel is credited on the show as a technical consultant.

Episodes

▶1. Robb And The Bear22m · Paul Sagehorn is an American Trucker. Paul grew up watching BJ & The Bear on 1970's television. Like many, he dreamt about one day driving that same movie big rig. Decades passed - Paul tracked down the truck he idolized from his childhood and bought them. Soon he will be driving his BJ & The Bear big rig to the very factory that custom built the truck for the NBC TV Series some 32 years ago.▶2. Robb's Got The Fever30m · Robb is building a replica WT9000 Ford "Blue Mule" in homage to the 1975 film "White Line Fever" with the help of his friends at Bill's Truck Service in Orlando, FL. To get there, Robb hops a ride with the support semis trekking over land to bring cars, trucks and supplies to the famous Baja 1000 off-road race.▶3. Bandit And The Snowman30m · Holding off Star Wars for 3 months at the box office in 1977 speaks volumes about a film's potential. It was Smokey and The Bandit that kept Lucas's breakthrough on the shelf. Burt Reynolds was the iconic Bandit driving the Trans Am. Jerry Reed was the Snowman who drove that forever famous big rig.▶4. Special OperationRobb's off to South Carolina to meet up with Kelvin Locklear, owner of K&L Chrome Shop and Outcast Kustoms. Kelvin has been customizing a 1983 Peterbilt 362 cabover rig for Niven Williams, an active Special Forces soldier stationed at Fort Bragg. Niven's father bought the truck back in the 1980's and after driving it for decades, gave it to his son. Robb learns more about the truck's family history and what Niven has gone through in order to get the truck to the shop.▶5. Hauling In Style30m · Robb combs the nation for the coolest custom truck in America. Just like the world of Hot Rods, in the world of trucking, customization is a big deal. He visits three of the best custom big rig shops around, not only to check out their decked-out rides, but to put the rides to the test.▶6. Big LoadThis episode of American Trucker brings us to Shandon, Ohio, where we'll catch up with the kings of the load, Diamond Heavy Haul. For over 30 years, these guys have been hauling the biggest and heaviest loads on the road. When it comes to delivering the superload, nobody does it like Diamond.▶7. Robb Becomes A TruckerRobb's fascination with big rigs doesn't end with admiration. He wants to fulfill his childhood dream of being behind the wheel of a big rig. So it's off to the Dootson School of Trucking in Southern California. Very quickly, Robb realizes that getting his commercial driver's license will prove to be a lot harder than he thinks.▶8. Rockin' Down the Highway30m · Robb tours with one of the biggest country acts in America.▶9. Midway30m · Host Robb Mariani relives a childhood dream, driving a truck with a traveling carnival.▶10. In Search of Big Dog30m · Robb meets an American trucking legend, UPS driver Ron “Big Dog” Sowder. Big Dog then leads Robb on a tour of the gigantic UPS facility in Louisville.▶11. Cup To GoRobb rides shotgun with a NASCAR Sprint Cup transport team from Phoenix to Las Vegas.▶12. Whiteout30m · Robb rides with the "push rigs," heavy trucks that help rigs stranded by snow and ice.▶13. NASARobb tours NASA's special custom fleet of big rigs and semis used in almost every element of every Space Shuttle mission.▶14. Relief30m · Robb rides along with truckers delivering supplies to victims of the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.▶15. Freightliner30m · Robb visits a vintage truck show before touring the assembly line of the largest manufacturer of big rigs in North America.