In the fascinating world of trucking lies a treasure trove of extraordinary feats and records that push the boundaries of what we think trucks and their drivers can achieve.
From awe-inspiring demonstrations of physical strength and precision, such as the longest distance reversed in an articulated truck or the most whistle blows at a truck in 10 seconds, to feats highlighting technological advancements like the first shipment by a self-driving truck, these records illuminate the extraordinary capabilities within trucking. I want to shine a light on these achievements, exploring the stories behind these records and the people who made them possible.
Join me on a journey that explores the limits of endurance, skill, and innovation in the trucking world, where every record tells a story of determination, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Fastest jet-powered fire truck
Shannen Seydel’s Hawaiian Eagle, a jet-powered 1940 Ford fire truck, set a world record speed of 655 km/h (407 mph) in Canada on July 11, 1998, powered by two Rolls Royce engines.
Largest Parade of Trucks
This record was achieved by the Tahya Misr Fund in Cairo, Egypt, on November 20, 2020. An impressive convoy of 480 trucks stretched over 2 miles.
World’s Largest Semi-Truck
The Tractomas TR 10×10 D100, weighing over 71 tons, was produced by Nicolas Industrie SAS in France and holds the record for the world’s largest semi-truck since 2005.
Oldest Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) License Holder
Jack Fisher from the UK, born on January 23, 1933, was recognized as the oldest HGV license holder at 88 years and 4 days old as of January 27, 2021. He ran a haulage business with his brother for nearly 50 years.
Maximum Safe Mileage Achieved by a Commercial Truck Driver
William Coe, Jr., from Tallahassee, Florida, was honored in 2009 for safely driving 3,001,276 miles in a commercial truck since February 1986 without a single preventable accident.
Longest Ramp Jump by a Truck Cab
The longest ramp jump by a truck cab measured 50.60M (166Ft) and was completed by Gregg Godfrey at Evel Knievel days event in Butte, Montana on 24 July 2015.
Fastest Truck Wheelie
Achieved by Patrick Bourny of France in October 2000, this record involves reaching a speed of 55 miles per hour while performing a wheelie in a modified truck cab.
Top Speed Achieved by a Blindfolded Truck Driver
Mike Newman, a blind driver, set this record on October 26, 2015, by driving a 5-ton MAN truck at just over 119 mph while blindfolded.
Heaviest Vehicle Pulled Over 100m by a Wheelchair Team
On July 10, 2013, a team of 25 friends in Germany pulled three wrecking trucks with a combined weight of 50,080 kg (110,407.5 lb) over 100 meters.
Fastest Jet-Powered Truck in the World
Known as “Shockwave,” this truck holds the record for the fastest jet-powered semi, reaching a top speed of 376 MPH (605 km/h) in 1997. It utilizes three J34-48 Pratt & Whitney jet engines, originally used in the US Navy’s T-2 Buckeye aircraft.
Longest Distance Reverse Driving an Articulated Truck
On September 30, 2020, stunt driver Brett Solomano reversed a truck and semi-trailer for 55.34 miles (89.06 kms), the longest distance ever without stopping.
Heaviest Truck Pulled by Hair
On December 2, 2017, Mahmood Shamshun Al Arab from the UAE set the record for pulling the heaviest vehicle by hair. He pulled a truck weighing 10,380 kilograms (22,883.98 lb).
First Shipment by Self-Driving Truck
Otto’s Beer Delivery was hailed as the first shipment by a self-driving truck. This historic event took place in the week of October 17, 2016, when Otto’s heavy-duty, self-driving truck completed a 120-mile delivery for Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Most Fuel-Efficient Truck
The Mercedes-Benz Actros set a Guinness World Record as the most fuel-efficient 40-tonne truck, achieving a consumption of 19.44 liters per 100 km during a 12,728 km test drive.
Highest Altitude Truck Pass
The record for the highest altitude truck pass is held by the Khardung La pass in India, situated at 18,379 feet (5,602 meters) above sea level.
First Female Truck Driver
Luella Bates, recognized as the first licensed female truck driver, worked for Four Wheel Drive Auto Co. as a test and demonstration driver from 1918 to 1922.
Largest Truck Stop
The world’s largest truck stop is the Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa, USA. It boasts 94 fuel pumps, 6 restaurants, and over 300 parking spaces for trucks.
Longest Ramp Jump by a Truck and Trailer
The longest ramp jump by a truck and trailer is 25.48m (83 ft 7 in) and was achieved by Mike Ryan on behalf of EMC Corporation and the Lotus F1 Team at BentwatersPark, Suffolk, UK on 6 November 2014
Longest Road Train
John Atkinson set a world record in Australia by driving a Mack Titan prime mover, towing 113 trailers for 150 meters, creating a 1,474.3 m long road train, equivalent to 156 London buses, sponsored by Hogs Breath Café in 2006.
Farthest Distance Achieved by an Electric Truck on a Single Charge
The DPD Futuricum electric truck, fitted with Continental tires, set a record by covering 682.88 miles in 23 hours without recharging, having already been operational for DPD Switzerland in regional traffic for six months.
Wrapping-up
As we conclude our journey through the most fascinating trucking records, we’re reminded of the sheer power and resilience embedded in the trucking industry.
These records aren’t just numbers; they represent the culmination of human ingenuity, technological advancements, and the unyielding spirit of truckers worldwide.
These achievements are not just milestones for the trucking industry; they are beacons of inspiration, showcasing what can be accomplished with dedication and innovation. As we keep an eye on the road ahead, it’s exciting to imagine what new records will be set in the future, pushing the boundaries of what we currently believe to be possible.
The world of trucking continues to evolve, promising more extraordinary feats and records yet to come.
