Asphalt haulers measure success by size of payload and ease of delivery. The more they can load, and the faster they can deliver, the more money they can make.

Mundall Trucking Inc. delivers the biggest net payload in the Phoenix area, according to John Mundall, vice president of Mundall Trucking. But that’s only half the story.

“When a contractor sees a Mundall driver pull up in a Kenworth T800 with a full load of asphalt, back up and deliver the payload to that machine on the first try, he’s impressed. Whereas a driver in a different truck might take two or three tries to cut and back up,” said Mundall. “The contractor may think the Mundall driver is a better driver when, in reality, he might not be a better driver, but he’s driving a better piece of equipment that turns sharper and better. Time is money and contractors appreciate it. The Kenworth T800s just add to our reputation.”

To increase payload, the company’s 22 Kenworth T800s are spec’d lightweight with Cummins ISM 350-hp (261 kW) engines, Watson & Chalin 8,000-lb. (3,629 kg) superlight pusher axle, aluminum hubs and lightweight drums.

“We put the best bed on the best possible power unit,” said Mundall. “Kenworth really hit a home run with the setback front axle, which pushed the axles close together and provided a better turning radius.

“Kenworth changed everything for our industry. Everybody said they couldn’t fit three axles in there, but Kenworth engineers did it. And before you knew it, Kenworth was making T800s with three axles, and our payload went to 25.8 tons, two tons better than before, thanks in part to the Strong Industries’ bed and trailing axle. To be honest with you, we couldn’t have achieved our level of productivity and efficiency with another truck.”

While drivers love the Kenworth T800 for its turning radius, Mundall said the best part about owning Kenworths is “they hold up great and the resale value is unbelievable. I have a waiting list a mile long of people who want my Kenworth trucks.”

Mundall Trucking recently observed its 40th anniversary. The fourth-generation family-owned business celebrated by receiving eight new Kenworth T800s.

“I had some special graphics put on one of the trucks as a tribute to my grandpa and my dad,” said Mundall. “From day one, my dad has been a proponent of having the best equipment. When people around town see a Mundall truck, they think quality.”

This kind of customer satisfaction, combined with Kenworth’s vocational products and engineering expertise, contributed to Kenworth’s reception of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Vocational Segment Class 8 Trucks.”

For more information, visit www.kenworth.com.

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