rwmindy

Man, I just realized the pictures never showed the OTHER side of the trailer... probably why b61fred (I mean the ATHS guy) never knew about the 8 ft. TROJAN thing... opps... :-)

The pink is offset by the fact it was owned by a school with the name of TROJANS... which appears in 8 ft. letters on the side of the trailer. Heck, the trailer letters are so big, you hardly notice the pink truck. My wife was quick to point out that when the connection to the school is lost, that sign really changes the meaning of that trailer. However, I reminded her that the trailer now belongs to some other poor ATHS guy, so they will get to enjoy explaining exactly what they are hauling in the trailer...

Thanks Mark. I am part of the South Central Indiana chapter. I do like the idea of the ATHS finding an ultimate home for this truck. It is a solid truck and a good starting point for someone eventually. I am not a career trucker, so "apples and oranges" is ok because right now I just need to learn more about fruit. If I cannot properly back a trailer, at this point, the badge on the front, the type of motor, and tranny is not my personal biggest issue! This is a good yard / practice truck IMO. As you mentioned, with some minor attention points, I think it holds a lot more for someone eventually that loved these trucks.

Well, I decided to pick-up a trainer truck while my Mack H-67 is being restored. I realize it is not a Mack, but I would rather tear up this 1978 International Transtar II with 1980 Great Dane Trailer while learning so when the Mack arrives it can be properly cared for! After the Mack arrives, it can find a new home. Also, thanks to members on this board who helped locate this truck, I feel it was a good deal. It was maintained by a school for the last 13+ years of its' life as it carried the band equipment. The school traded it in on a new bus order and, given it was a very large school district, the bus company took it even though they had no idea what to do with a semi and trailer. They just wanted it off the lot. So, total together (truck and trailer) was $2,500. It was also 10 minutes from my house. Hard to pass up when it comes together like that. The truck is in very good running shape and actually pretty good exterior shape (not much rust). The trailer is pretty solid as well w/ full air, etc. So, seemed like a reasonable investment for a year while getting ready. Apparently the school rebuilt the engine after taking it and the rebuild has low miles. The only thing on it that I could find that did not work was the air conditioner. They even added heated mirrors. It has a Detroit and a Fuller 9 speed. Pretty new air seat to help break in those training hours as well. I am sure the gears on this truck will pay the ultimate price. Trailer is going to a new home in our local ATHS club. Same member was a great help in getting this pulled together but shall remain nameless (unless he wants to talk about it!). Here are some pics:

Cool. Paul is going to do the restoration on my H model & my trailer for a promo truck... so, by comparison, the H suddenly looks in good shape! p.s. Paul has been great to work with... (sorry Paul, had to leave at least a little plug for you...)

The fuel tax system is fairly straight forward. It really only requires quarterly reporting and the need to track all your miles in the various states and your fuel receipts. The state by state interpretation of the "limited plate" clause within the exemptions causes some real diversity in expectations for antique trucks going through several states. Many will consider an antique plated truck to clearly fall within the limited or recreational exemption clauses. However, several reference states not accepting antique plates as an exemption. Overall, compliance to the IFTA rules is completely disconnected from the "commerce" requirements within US DOT and can apply to any truck over 26,000 GVW / GVWR / or GCWR regardless of a commerce connection if a state refuses to accept antique plates as a limited / recreation plated vehicle. So, getting a IFTA account within your state if you plan to cross states often can save you headaches and it is not too difficult or complex. Once again, people will argue every step you take to look commercial sucks you further into being commercial. However, IFTA never mentions a commercial requirement, it only qualifies vehicles by GVW, etc., and then exempts certain types of vehicles by type. Therefore, IFTA and "commerce" are not really connected in the guidelines like US DOT. They are just connected by "intent" (i.e. I believe the IFTA rules were created thinking it would only really affect commercial trucking - however, they never mention commerce as a requirement).

I think it looks great. It really captures the time.

I will be there on Saturday with the family.

Love the H! Thanks for posting!

Thanks Morgan (also for all the help!).