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Desert Runner

Owner-operator Steve Cudeck prefers Peterbilt style, comfort and reliability in the desert

Steve Cudeck has had a love affair with Peterbilt trucks dating back to the mid-1960s. An unusual owner-operator—he owns six late model Peterbilt trucks — Cudeck operates from a remote location in southern Nevada delivering bulk plastic to manufacturers in Nevada, California, Arizona and Utah.

For 16 years prior to moving to Nevada, Cudeck drove Peterbilt trucks out of his hometown of Yorba Linda, California. In 1992, the company he works for — Plastic Express — expanded into southern Nevada. Asked if he would consider relocating, Cudeck accepted the challenge, purchased a new Peterbilt Model 379 and became an owner-operator leased to Plastic Express. “I could never imagine owning any other truck,” says Cudeck. “I have always appreciated the classic styling of Peterbilt.”

While Cudeck established an office in Mesquite, Nevada and began hauling plastic to Primex Plastics and other customers in the region, wife Melanie helped set up two rail terminals for Plastic Express — one in Nevada, the other in northern Arizona — where bulk plastic is shipped by rail and stored for just-in-time deliveries to customers. As demand for plastic grew in the region, Cudeck expanded his hauling capacity, purchasing more Peterbilt trucks and hiring additional drivers. “I’m just an owner-operator who ended up with six truck payments,” jokes Cudeck. “My drivers make me look good, and I certainly couldn’t have made the move or grown the business without Melanie” who handles the books, as well as customer and supplier relations.

Classic styling and dependability

While his appreciation for classic Peterbilt styling has never faded, these days Cudeck purchases new Peterbilts primarily for their dependability. “Out here, breakdowns are not an option,” he says. “If we miss a single delivery to one of those plants, 130 people get sent home. That would make me very unpopular. “After being in the trucking business all these years, I have really come to value Peterbilt quality. Dependability is our No. 1 concern.”

Cudeck and his drivers haul plastic in self-loading pneumatic trailers that literally suck the material out of train cars and blow it into customer silos. Deliveries are made to manufacturing plants where all sorts of plastic products are made, everything from vacuum-formed refrigerator interiors to hot tubs. Average round-trip haul is about 450 miles, so drivers get home nightly.

“Because our location is so remote, we have to carry 270 gallons of fuel,” says Cudeck, who specs his trucks with dual135-gallon fuel tanks. To counter the extra weight, he specs many lightweight components such as day cabs, supersingle tires, aluminum wheels, hubs, air tanks and bell housings. But when it comes to the engine and transmission, weight is secondary to power. “Seems like everywhere we go is up hill,” saysCudeck. “There are some very long grades — up to 14 miles long at six percent grade.” His newest purchase—a 2009 Peterbilt Model 388—is spec’d much like the others with a 530 hp Cummins engine, 13-speed Eaton Fuller transmission and 3.55 rear axle ratio. Cudeck feels his trucks are powered and geared just right for those long hills. “We can go 55 mph downhill without ever touching the brakes,” he says. “Peterbilt of Las Vegas sales rep T.J.Walton helps me with the specs and just does an excellent job. My dealer is part of the reason it’s somuch fun being in trucking. They understand the needs of my business and treat me like I own 100 trucks.” Along with spec’ing assistance, Cudeck relies on Peterbilt of Las Vegas for all his maintenance needs. “They have an excellent shop and great people who get us in and out in a hurry,” he says.

Driver preference, superior trade-in value

Even in this remote corner of the country, Cudeck has no problem finding good drivers. “Drivers love Peterbilt trucks,” he says. They enjoy the great styling, comfort and smooth ride.” Peterbilt’s durable chassis and set-forward front axle help smooth out long hauls over rough roads. Inside the cabs, cushioned seats, contoured door panels, backlit gauges and powerful HVAC systems deliver a high level of comfort during long hours of desert and mountain driving.

At trade in time, Cudeck says, no truck holds its value better than Peterbilt. “People as far away as southern California contact us when they hear I’m getting ready to sell one of our trucks. The day cabs are in even more demand than the over-the-road sleepers, if you can believe that.” Trading trucks with fewer than 500,000 miles assures Cudeck he’s always operating a highly reliable fleet. “Our operation requires that we have dependable equipment,” he says. “And resale value is even greater when we trade the trucks every four or five years.”