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| Pay 'n Pak's Kenworth K100 Aerodyne hauler. |
Trucks come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They can carry almost anything. It is simply a matter of matching a truck to a particular load.
Needless to say, truck transportation is not as uncomplicated as it sounds. Problems do arise.
As a case in point, what type of truck would you use to shuttle a renowned hydroplane racer? The answer, according to Pay 'n Pak, a Pacific Northwest consumer goods chain, is to take a top of the line truck and refashion it especially for the function.
Pay 'n Pak owns a turbine-powered hydroplane which competes on the unlimited hydroplane racing circuit. The "thunderboat," another name for hydroplane, recently won three straight national championships.
Pay 'n Pak chose a K100 Aerodyne VIT to haul its hydroplane. The truck, a custom rig, is color coordinated to match the dramatic appearance of the company's racer.
The Kenworth sports a 197-inch wheelbase with modifications in the rear of the chassis to accommodate an 18-foot dromedary box. The box, a complete on-the-road workshop has been designed to carry extra engines, tools, compressor, generator and assorted electrical equipment needed to keep the hydroplane performing.
There are other special features that make the truck a true standout. For example, the Kenworth has two extra fuel tanks, with a combined 300-gallon capacity, used to carry fuel for the racer. The air cleaner, a 65-tube stack panel, is mounted out of sight behind the cab, along with the horizontal exhaust stack, thus enhancing the truck's aerodynamic appearance.
Pay 'n Pak's truck, which has a combined gross vehicle weight of 83,000 pounds, is powered by a Detroit Diesel Allison 6V92TA that delivers 335 horsepower at 2100 rpm. It is coupled with a Fuller RTO-9509A transmission and single Ross power steering.
The front axle is a Rockwell with a 10,000-pound capacity. The rear axle, also a Rockwell, is rated at 23,000 pounds. The truck has a Kenworth Airglide 100 suspension.
The interior of the Kenworth is just outstanding, with such appointments as upholstered walls and headliner, Air Rider seats, AM/FM stereo, 40-channel CB, climate control and refrigerator