HAY BRO

Steve Williams is living proof that dreams do come true. Two years ago he sat down at the family’s kitchen table and mapped out a plan to start a trucking company and build a show-quality rig. With the help and support of family and friends, Steve was able to realize that dream a few short months ago. Now owning and operating Williams Hay Service out of Orangevale, California, and driving the truck he envisioned in his mind’s eye at that kitchen table a couple years prior, Steve (A.K.A. “Hay Bro”) is looking forward to expanding his company and entering truck shows in his new Pete cab-over truck and trailer.

We met Steve through a mutual friend - Bob Hitchcock, owner of Cherokee Truck Parts in Stockton, California. Bob called us one day last year to tell about a guy (one of his customers) who was building a cool cab-over working/show truck. Always on the lookout for clean and unique cab-overs, we immediately told Bob we were interested. After a few phone calls and e-mails, a date and time was set to meet with Steve and take the pictures.

It was a chilly 41 degrees the morning of the photo shoot. After meeting everyone at Bob’s shop in Stockton, we headed east into the hills toward a piece of property owned by Bob’s old friend Mark Lewallen. Mark, owner of Lewallen Land & Cattle, led us to an old hay barn on his “South Lake Ranch” in Copperopolis, California - a perfect setting for a hay hauling truck. Along the way, of course, we stopped at every bend in the road to snap a few photos and enjoy the scenery. Throughout the day we learned about Steve, his truck and his company, and realized just how excited he was to be getting on the cover of 10-4. For us, that just makes the cover feature that much more special.

Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley (the central portion and farming belt of California) Steve was raised around trucks and agriculture. His father was a hay hauler and, when they weren’t in school, Steve and his older brother Al would go along with him in the truck. When Al turned 18, he got his license and began trucking. Steve could now tag along with his dad or his brother. But when his eighteenth birthday rolled around, the tagging along ended - he went and got his own license. For the next eight years he was a driver for several different companies. Then came that vision - the one he shared with his family at the kitchen table two years ago - to start his own company and build his own truck.

Today, Steve is enjoying the fruits of his labor over the past two years. His business is doing well and his truck is complete (for the most part). Hauling hay from Nevada to California and Oregon, Steve works the truck six days a week. His 2002 Pete 362 cab-over with a 236” wheelbase and 30’ pull trailer weigh in (loaded with fuel) at a mere 26,400 lbs. That allows Steve to haul 53,600 lbs. of hay, or about 510 standard size bales.

Equipped with Cat’s most recent C-15 motor (the successor to the 3406-E model) with 575 horsepower, the truck has plenty of get-up-and-go. The engine’s power is transferred to the Michelin XD2 22.5 x 70 rubber via a heavy-duty, 18-speed, double overdrive transmission and 3:08 rears. The truck’s suspension is a low-leaf, air-ride Pete system. The tractor’s recessed exhaust, built by Dynaflex, features 8” mufflers with 6” chino-style tips. The clean cab-over also has a 72” daycab (which provides just enough room for Steve to lay down if he gets really tired), a 5-bugle Leslie train horn (the real deal), Lifetime lug nut covers and custom grille bars.

The 27’-6” deck on Steve’s truck and his 30’ pull trailer were built by Steve Montalvo of Precision Trailer in Stockton. The decks on the truck and trailer are only 42” from the ground. The trailer is equipped with a 3’ air-to-air sliding tongue that Steve can control from the cab. When he is on the highway, he can push a button and suck the trailer three feet closer to the back of his truck. When a sharp turn is approaching or he needs to exit the highway, Steve can release the tongue and slide it back out again for more maneuverability. The pintle hook on the back of the truck is also inset three feet to give Steve better control when backing. Both the truck and trailer are equipped with anti-lock brakes. The paint, applied by Bill Rocha out of Oakdale, California, is Metal Flake Silver and Teal Green Metallic, with Aqua Green outlines.

Of course, the truck and trailer are both covered with shining accessories such as stainless Hogebuilt quarter fenders (3 sets), several light bars, a boltless front bumper, polished Merritt tool boxes (one on each side) and headboard, stainless headlight visors and a cab visor, Alcoa aluminum wheels, stainless flap weights and hangers, and about 160 LED lights (from Grote and Maxima). The rig’s interior, still a work in progress, has Bostrom 910 low-rider seats, a chrome CB, Rockwood toggles and switches and a rosewood steering wheel. Steve’s stereo system is currently being upgraded by Arc Audio to be the ultimate in state-of-the-art sound.

Steve wanted to thank Bob Hitchcock, Mark Kilgore, Shawn Hood, Shawn McDonald, his brother Al and his sister Debbie for all their help and support. He wanted to especially thank his mom (for being his motivator and believing in him) and his dad (for making it all happen). Steve looks forward to adding another truck to his operation and the opportunity to work with his brother.

Steve loves the “adventure” of trucking. One day he might be in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (covered with snow) and the next in Imperial Valley (where its 90 degrees). His rig is not only his pride-and-joy, but also his bread-and-butter. This reminds us to never stop dreaming around the kitchen table with loved ones, for here is where the future is conceived. Steve Williams is living proof that if you set a goal and stick to it, anything is possible.