Sysco Turnpike Doubles By Jeff Silver

As fuel prices continue to climb, trucking and distribution companies are scrambling to increase efficiency of their fleets and reduce the cost of delivering goods. Aside from governing speeds and utilizing the most efficient engines available, many truck operators in states that permit longer combination vehicles (LCVs) continue to benefit from the operation of various trailer/truck combinations that fall into this specific category.

LCVs originally appeared on America’s roads in the early 1950s with the development of highway turnpikes, especially in the Northeast part of the country. Since then, three distinct types of LCVs have evolved and can be spotted on 23 different states’ highways: The turnpike double (two 45’ or 48’ trailers), the Rocky Mountain or western double (a 45’ or 48’ trailer with a 26’ or 28’ trailer), and the triple trailer (three 26’ or 28’ trailers). Currently turnpike doubles, at 110 feet including the tractor, remain the longest configuration on American roads. These beasts measure almost the length of a Boeing 737 jetliner and in many cases top out at a whopping 140,000 pounds GVW - or about the weight of 40 Chevrolet Impala sedans.

In the Western part of the country, the use of combination units was motivated more by the great distances between two points and the need to move cargo as efficiently as possible. In an effort to minimize the cost of driving great distances - in regard to labor and case cost per mile - the Rocky Mountain double was developed to maximize the productivity of each truckload. The term “Rocky Mountain” stuck as the setup is primarily seen in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

Three different LCV models are currently being produced by Tonkin Replicas for Awesome Diecast in the livery of SYSCO Corporation, a $40 billion foodservice distributor operating throughout the United States and Canada.

The first, a 1:64 scale PEM turnpike double features twin 48’ reefer trailers being pulled by a Mack CH. The actual truck being replicated can currently be seen operating on the New York State Thruway for the company’s Albany division. Only 300 units of this replica are being produced.

The second - an even more unique and seldom-produced replica - is a 1:53 scale Precision Series Rocky Mountain double. This is being produced for both the Salt Lake City division and SYSCO Corporate. Only 144 replicas of each are being produced. The four trailers each have a large rear door decal featuring a different SYSCO product line. Look for the colorful graphics of Block & Barrel Deli Meats, House Recipe Steak Sauce, 1756 Mayonnaise and Citavo Coffee. The 48’ and 28’ reefer trailers are pulled by a highly detailed tandem axle International 9400i daycab featuring an aerodynamic fairing.

Finally, although not a true LCV, a set of pup reefer doubles is being produced in 1:53 scale for the Central Florida division and SYSCO Corporate. Also with the above mentioned decals, only 144 of each design will be put on a single axle International 9400i daycab with fairing for this extremely limited, first ever production run.

About the Author:
Jeff Silver has been an avid collector of die-cast trucks since childhood with a personal collection approaching 1000 pieces from manufacturers around the world. His marketing firm produced their first promotional replica for a client in 2004, and since then that aspect of his business has resulted in a wide variety of replica trucks and even planes being produced for several corporations. Jeff continues to work closely with Tonkin in sourcing replica options for the varied fleets his clients operate.