As you chase the continuous white line along the dull, grey highway, you come to the realisation that driving can be a bit boring when there’s not much to look at.
- 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
Cue Ross Transport’s fleet of happy-looking trucks, rigs with the world’s most renowned animations and characters jumping out to grasp the attention of all road users and passengers.
Ross Transport are not just known for delivering cargo and freight; they’re famous for their outstanding-looking rigs, and rightfully so.
Their trucks are splashed with vibrant colours and cartoons -— including the beloved Bluey, Looney Tunes, Disney, The Jetsons, The Flintstones and superheroes like Thor, Iron Man, Marvel and The Avengers.
Owner of her own transport company, and manager for Ross Transport, True Ross-Sawrey says these designs are what sets the company apart from others.
“People see a truck on the road and think, ‘It’s just a truck,’ but when they see our trucks go past, they think, ‘Oh my God, look at that truck!” she says.
“That’s why my dad started these different designs here at Ross Transport -— to be different, to be unique, to capture interest.”
Ross Transport want the public to perceive truckies in a positive way.
“I think it’s really important that people don’t think of truckies as big and scary, because most drivers, and the ones that we have, are really kind people that will stop for a chat and blow the horn to say hi.
“It creates a relationship between the public, our drivers and our industry, which is essential.
“Australia would quite literally stop without trucks and the industry gets a terrible name when it shouldn’t, so simple things like having cool trucks does help.”
True recalls how the lively fleet evolved from a few simple designs into an exciting spectacle.
“Dad originally started the designs, he’s very eccentric,” she says.
First, they did three dark blue trucks to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Next up was a bright pink rig named ‘Truely Frantastic’ after True and her grandma Frances, in honour of women in transport and the contribution they have made to the industry.
“From there, we started all the cartoon and superhero trucks, and now myself and other drivers have come up with the Autism Awareness Truck and Bluey, which I really pushed for.
“I have three-year-old twins that love Bluey, and I have a massive love for Disney, so the ideas come from us, but our signwriter is the one that puts it all together.”
Western Stars are mainly used for the graphics at Ross Transport, with True’s father Alan Ross into the older style cartoons like The Jetsons and The Flintstones.
Nowadays, True and the company want to focus on newer animations like Moana, Frozen and Encanto for any upcoming vehicles.
“We’ve been thinking our next truck should have The Powerpuff Girls, but we just throw ideas out there, see who likes them, what gets the most interest and we go from there.”
True reflects on the positive feedback the graphics have received from passersby on the street.
“Multiple times a week, we get messages on our Facebook page, to our website and even phone calls from people who have seen one of our trucks.
“They say how much they love them and how it made their kids’ day.”
Out of Ross’ lively fleet of 80 trucks, one is decorated for a great cause, autism awareness.
“Often people will say ‘My child’s autistic and has just seen your truck pass, and it made them feel special and welcome.’
“Our drivers also get recognition, so they’ll beep the horn back, or stop and speak to people to get a photo.
“That creates a great reputation for our business, but also the industry, and that’s probably the best thing about my job.”
With family at the heart of the business, twin Kenworth Legend trucks were ordered and are set to arrive at the same time — one white and blue, the other white and pink.
The trucks will be named ‘Kaos Chris’ and ‘Chatty Charlie’ after True’s twins.
“We have the painted graphic at the back of the truck with Charlie as a fairy, which mimics a painting she has in her room that she adores.
“We’ve named the truck ‘Chatty Charlie’ because she just doesn’t stop talking,” she chuckles.
“Chris is on a balance bike because he’s absolutely chaotic, hence the name Kaos.”
“The trucks that have been the most meaningful to design would be the trucks more personalised to our family.
“We are a family business, and we all work together.”
From the moment True was born in 1996, she was steeped in the world of transport, the legacy of her father’s business, established in 1975, serving as her backdrop.
“I’ve grown up around trucks. I used to come into work with dad on a weekend, on school holidays, and then when I finished school, I started working here part-time while I went to uni.
“I developed a love for it more and more, so I stayed working for dad. Then a few years later, I bought my own truck and started my own business as well.”
True and her father share a very close bond, being family and colleagues at the same time.
“I’ve learnt everything from him, he’s taught me all I know,” she says.
“He’s got a very chill attitude to life.
“I like that, because I’m very highly strung, but I’ve even learnt the manager and business side of things, how he runs the business and how he gives people chances.”
Adding to their already full workload, Ross Transport is having their first ever Open Day in October at the Port Kembla yard, giving adults and kids the chance to go for a drive around the block in one of their famous trucks.
Ross Transport are in-bound for the i98FM Illawarra Convoy, with a gracious sponsorship provided by many local companies, not only allowing their first open day to become a reality, but also helping them raise funds for the lead truck bid.
“We get a lot of people asking to go for truck rides on the weekend, and some of my drivers are lovely enough that they do come in and take people for a drive,” she says.
“But I thought ‘Huh, I wonder if I could turn this into a way that we could raise money.’
“So, I put the idea out to Facebook and asked if anyone would attend an open day if we had one to raise funds, and it got shared around.”
The post did very well, racking up 15,000 views and receiving a lot of positive feedback.
A classic Aussie barbeque and a stationary truck that people can climb in and out of will be provided at the event.
“We’re going to have a blind spot awareness truck, so people can realise how big these trucks are and what limited vision we have when we drive them.
“Hopefully people will learn to drive safer around us, because there’s definitely not enough training for light vehicles around heavy vehicles.”
There is set to be 15-20 trucks on display or performing truck rides, with all funds raised on the day going towards their lead truck bid for the Illawarra Convoy, which the business has been involved with for 20 years now.
“We have about 35 to 40 trucks that go to the convoy each year.
“We’re very excited, and the number of drivers and staff that have volunteered and come on board has been awesome.”
Ross’ happy fleet does more than transport goods. It’s a symbol of joy, connection and a change of perception, inviting communities to see beyond the chrome and steel, into the heart of a family legacy that’s as colourful as the designs they drive.
Read more:
- Restored Kenworths praise 90s rap legends and fight for change
- Truck lovers swarmed the Rusty Iron Rally to get a taste of some vintage rigs
- Kiwik Cartage’s Mack Trident makes its striking debut at the Young Truck Show
- Tiny Silverton museum boasts Mad Max trucks and more
- World’s first Automated Cone Truck will save Aussie lives
Check out the Deals on Wheels Facebook here.