Midnight Marauder
Trucker Vince Jenkins Lets It all Hang Out "After Midnight"

Growing up on the mean streets of South Central Los Angeles, it's easy for many youths to fall into a life of crime, drugs and poverty - but not so in the case of Vince Jenkins. Under the watchful eye of his parents and other mentors, Vince involved himself in sports and trucks and ended up on the quiet streets of Ontario, California, living a busy life of being a firefighter, father, husband, carpenter and trucker. With so much on his plate it's a wonder he finds any time to get into trouble, but mischievous Vince can always find - or start - some kind of commotion.

Vince grew up in a house near 110th Street and Main in the Watts section of South Central Los Angeles. Attending public schools near his home, Vince saw many of his friends and family (seven brothers and four sisters) get involved with gangs and other illegal activities. He also saw firsthand where that lifestyle leads. He made a decision early in life not to fall into that trap. Always tinkering in the garage with his father (who was a mechanical engineer), Vince was rebuilding engines and transmissions when he was eleven years old. He enjoyed working on trucks, so after high school he went to the Harbor Occupational Center in San Pedro to learn about diesel mechanics. From there he went to Trade Tech to study more about diesel engines. But his goal was never to be a mechanic - ever since he was a little kid he wanted to be a trucker.

Going on runs with his brother-in-law Albert Abell Jr. (AKA Pumpkin), Vince learned the ropes and really fell in love with trucking. Albert was an owner operator driving a 1969 Peterbilt cabover for Global Van Lines. After Global, "Pumpkin" began working for Larry Weiland Trucking (Larry was the father of Ken Weiland who was featured on our cover back in April 1999). From there, Albert went to work for Randy Thomas Trucking. Randy was instrumental in getting many of today's truckers started in the business. Randy gave Vince his first "official" driving job in 1984.

Having bought a new truck, "Pumpkin" gave his old and tired cabover Pete to Vince. He told him, "If you can get it out of my yard, you can have it!" Vince hobbled it home and completely rebuilt it. He ran that truck for the first four years of his trucking career. After that, he built his next three trucks from new glider kits. Since then, his last three trucks have been new and complete turnkey tractors, including the beauty featured on this month's cover.

Vince's Plum Blue Metallic truck is a 1999 Pete 379 Long Hood with black fenders. The rig is equipped with a strong Cummins Signature 600 motor with a six-position engine brake, an 18-speed double overdrive transmission and 3:21 rears. The exterior features dual air cleaners, Hogebuilt fenders, Pete tool boxes, custom lighting and lots of chrome. Nothing too fancy, just very clean. The interior has power windows and door locks, a 63" high-roof sleeper, and all the goodies that come with the American Classic interior package. In addition to that, he has a security system and an on-board scale. He typically pulls a lowered 2000 Reinke drop-deck trailer but for this picture he hooked up his old standby - a 1985 spread-axle Utility dry van complete with loading ramps.

Hauling lumber, aluminum and equipment on the drop-deck and furniture, show exhibits, motorcycles and autos in the van, Vince tries to stay west of the Mississippi, but occasionally finds himself in Georgia or Florida. The name of his company (After Midnight Trucking) came from Vince's early days with Randy Thomas. Vince was hauling containers and pipes out of the Harbor between midnight and 7:00AM. To many of the local truckers in that area, Vince became a common sight on the Long Beach Freeway. They would say, "There goes that Jenkins kid again - it must be after midnight." And the phrase stuck.

On top of building trucks and trucking, for the last 17 years Vince has also been a fireman for the City of Los Angeles. Working ten 24-hour shifts a month leaves Vince with twenty days to fill. This is when he goes trucking. On his six-day off breaks he can go on a coast-to-coast run and on a typical four-day break he can squeeze in a run to Texas. Working for Station #61 in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, Vince drives the hook-and-ladder truck and performs ventilation and extraction procedures. Basically, Vince cuts holes in the roofs of burning buildings and rescues injured victims from wrecked vehicles. This job gives him stability and good pay, but comes with politics and plenty of downtime. He considers himself a trucker first, fireman second. "If you cut me, I bleed Diesel #2," says Vince.

Vince likes spending time with Quen, his wife of eight years, and their two small children, Vince Jr. (4) and Kyla (3). Other time-fillers include restoring a 1946 Harley Knucklehead and riding their ATC's in Azusa Canyon and local desert areas. Amazingly, Vince also finds time to work on the new 3100 square-foot house he's building on their property in Ontario. Doing all the work himself with no professional help, Vince hopes to finish soon and get out of the little house they are living in now.

At only 37 years old, Vince has a lot of living (and driving) left in him. By keeping his truck clean and well-maintained and being an all-around good guy, Vince sets a great example for the people just getting involved in trucking. We've known Vince for many years and always enjoy seeing him at the local shows. He's been a good friend of 10-4 Magazine and has waited a long time to see his truck on the cover. So here it is Vince. Enjoy your moment (month) in the spotlight - you deserve it buddy!