As we get older, one of the main things we start to prioritise is comfort and reliability.
Switching out the high heels for sandals and the stiff jeans for tracksuit pants, it can take a while to admit when something just isn’t for you anymore.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australia’s transport industry.
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly Deals on Wheels magazine.
- Sell your truck with Australia’s #1 truck classifieds
For Steve Bragg however, his trusty 1990 FLC 122 Freightliner has continuously ticked all of his boxes.
“I’ve got two old Freightliners’, and I can’t seem to want anything else,” Steve told Deals on Wheels.
“This particular model is my old favourite; it’s like a comfortable pair of slippers because it fits just right.
“When you jump in, you know exactly where all the knobs and buttons are, you know exactly what to do if there’s a hiccup.”
Purchasing the rig over a decade ago second hand, Steve says he had to put a bit of work into the old girl before she was perfect.
“When I purchase a truck, I always make sure that I change up some things to make sure it suits me,” he says.
“I’ve had this truck for 11 years and it has been completely trouble-free.”
Over the past decade, the Freightliner has clocked up its fair share of kilometres, doing runs across the country for Aussie Hay Runners.
Travelling around New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and more, the truck has spent a majority of its life aiding farmers and helping out with drought and fire relief.
“She’s done a lot of work. Just about worn me out at 81,” Steve laughs.
Growing up on the land, Steve’s first ever job was carting hay, back when it used to be little squares.
“People often ask me when I started driving trucks, and I just use the expression, ‘I don’t really remember, but whenever my feet could reach the pedals’,” he says.
“Now I have come full circle.”
“I told Aussie Hay Runners I wasn’t going to do any more as I’m getting too old, but they rang me up and I’ve agreed to lend a hand with the shorter trips.”
“When they’re doing work such as they are, how can you not help out.”
Read more:
- The story behind this eye-catching 1979 International
- Truckies scrambled over to Tooradin for the event of the year
- This year’s Geelong Truck Show was a smash hit
- Hundreds of mighty machines rolled into Lardner’s Heritage Display
- Truckie reveals story about his devotion to 39 years of trucking
Check out the Deals on Wheels Facebook here.