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This lime green custom semi petroleum hauler is part of a fleet owned by the Rethwisch family of Tomah, Wisconsin that was built from the ground up.
The fleet now includes seven Peterbilt 389s, and part of the reason the family has made every one of their fleet custom and impressive is to show the good of the petroleum industry and the trucking industry. The Semi’s within their fleet are all fitted with various ELD’s (Electronic Logging Device) such as this VDO Roadlog rated by ELDreviewer, for example.
Ten Four magazine interviewed and quoted Bill Rethwisch, Jr., about this:
“We’ve always tried to promote a positive image in all parts of trucking,” said Rethwisch. “So many gas and chemical haulers you see out there don’t seem to have any pride, so we try to use these trucks as promotional tools. It gives the drivers we have a sense of pride and a feeling of being part of something bigger.”
Several of the Rethwisch’s custom semi trucks have won awards, including Pride & Polish and Shell Best of Show awards.
This particular semi though:
“Bill acquired a 2013 Peterbilt 389 with a 12.7 liter Detroit and an 18-speed Eaton-Fuller transmission from Fitzgerald Glider Kits in Crossville, TN for his driver Jeff Schultz.”
The father and son began with their crew an extensive rebuilt in Feb of 2014. The tore the truck apart, pulled out the complete drivetrain and interior. They sand-blasted the frame, then they could apply the pain and install the custom deck plate. They also put in a stationary fifth wheel to give it a “clean look.” They also did:
- 4 straps on the fuel tanks (to make things look smoother)
- New Dynaflex exhaust system
- Hooked the exhaust to the Detroit engine
- Customized the Detroit engine (500 horsepower) with matching paint and chrome
- Put “Rethwisch” logo on side of valve cover.
They built this lime green project between Bill Rethwisch, his dad, the driver Jeff Shultz and his dad Chuck Shultz.
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