Trick My Truck: Prime Edition

BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK

Jerry Clayton

Truck Theme: Captain America

Inspiration for the Design: Jerry’s grandson, who loves Captain America.

Prime Ways: How long have you been driving with Prime?

Jerry Clayton: I’ve been driving with my CDL for going on six years now.

Prime: How did you become interested in driving?

J.C.: got tired of living day-to-day and not being able to afford a house of my own. was working at a lumber mill, and had a buddy that was into trucking. He had a nice house and a nice truck, and his wife didn’t work. was like, “Hey, do you really make that much money driving a truck?” Well, he showed me how much he was making, and went home and told my wife. said, “Honey, I’m going to truck-driving school.”

Prime: How did you choose your truck’s theme?

J.C.: My main inspiration was my grandson, who loves Captain America. Also, I’m former military—I was in the U.S. Navy—and my dad was in the U.S. Army.

Prime: How does your grandson like it?

J.C.: Oh, he just absolutely loves it. got to surprise him—I went to his school and picked him up, and he had no idea was coming. As soon as saw him, blew the air horn, and he just came out running and smiling.

Prime: How did you come up with the design?

J.C.: The sides have a huge Captain America shield on them, and that was the start of it all. The hood has the Captain America Avengers logo on it and says Captain America. originally had a picture of Captain America there, but it wasn’t doing the truck justice, so made a few changes before signed off.

Prime: Did you carry the theme to the truck’s interior?

J.C.: put in cup coasters that have the Captain America shield in them, and have Avengers seat covers. keep an merican ag folded in the windshield in remem rance of military members, but especially my dad. also have a red, white and blue headset, and have customized door lights for the doors—they shine big Captain America shields on the ground. My wife also got me customized red, white and blue bedding, and I’m getting customized seat covers.

Prime: What kind of reactions does the truck get?

J.C.: No matter where go, people are always taking pictures of it. Kids love it. They’re always pointing and waving at me and wanting me to pump the horn. I’ve also had managers, shippers and receivers take pictures of it. One guy even went home to pick up his wife and kids and brought them back to see it. And one time it helped get me unloaded quicker. Some guys were taking pictures, then they said, “Go ahead and pull in this door.” wasn’t supposed to get unloaded for another four hours. t definitely has its per s

Prime: What’s your best memory with this truck?

J.C.: I’d say my favorite thing so far is that was asked to participate in our hometown Christmas parade on December back in my hometown of Lake Park, Georgia.

Prime: What advice would you share with drivers planning custom truck design?

J.C.: Have a basic idea of what you want, and make it something you’re passionate about or something that really means a lot to you.

William Ardoin

Truck Theme: Godzilla

Inspiration for the Design: A good old Google search w.a.: Yeah, I’ve liked Godzilla since was a kid. Back then I’d watch TV with my grandparents, and remember they put it on, and didn’t have control over the remote back then, so had to watch! But then got to liking it.

Prime Ways: How long have you been driving with Prime?

William Ardoin: It’s been a little more than two years.

Prime: How did you become interested in driving?

W.A.: It all started when was a kid. always loved trucks, and met a guy at a store one time who offered to let me go on his truck and look around. My grandparents said it was okay, and just loved it. From that time, I’ve wanted to be a part of it. knew that one day I’d have to at least see what driving was like. Then, when the time presented itself, took it and ran with it.

Prime: How did you choose your truck’s theme?

W.A.: The idea for Godzilla really came spur of the moment for me. When ordered this truck purple, had plans to make it a Lakers theme, but saw a lot of Lakers trucks. was looking on Google for inspiration, and the idea for Godzilla came to my head out of the blue. found this picture and liked the way the colors looked with my truck, so took it to Stripes and Stuff.

Prime: Have you always liked Godzilla?

Prime: Do you plan on adding to the design?

W.A.: I’m still not done with the truck, to be honest with you. I’m going to add more graphics. Godzilla’s slogan is “King of the Monsters,” and am thinking about putting that on each side. I’m also going to put a picture of Godzilla looking mad on the hood.

Prime: Did you carry the theme to the truck’s interior?

W.A.: ’m still wor ing on that. want seat covers oor mats and a comforter set that matches the outside. f can find Godzilla, that would be great.

Prime: What kind of reactions does the truck get?

W.A.: can almost say that every receiver and shipper has reactions to it. There are always people taking pictures. Some people recognize Godzilla, some people don’t, but once tell them, they always see it. At Blue Beacon, the truck wash, had one guy say, “Dude, this is one of the best, baddest trucks I’ve ever seen come through!” On the highway, people are always blowing horns—even other truck drivers. One driver made a signal for me to put my radio on, so got on my CB, and he started telling me how great my truck looks.

Prime: What advice would you share with another driver who is planning custom truck design?

W.A.: Be sure to love the idea. When you think of it, you’ll know that it’s the one. You can just feel it. You won’t second guess it. You’ll know.

Javier Troche

Truck Theme: Spiderman vs. Venom

Inspiration for the Design: A 6-year-old Marvel fan

Prime Ways: How long have you been driving with Prime?

JAVIER TROCHE: This is my first year with Prime. efore this used to drive ed o truc s.

Prime: How did you become interested in driving?

J.T.: y dad used to drive when was younger and ’ve al ways een around it. ne day wo e up and said ou now what ’m going to do it. y wife said ou’re smart you can do whatever you want. nd did it. called Prime they told me to come on down and a month later was there.

Prime: How did you choose your truck’s theme?

J.T.: y year old son is always so happy when come home and he’s a ig arvel fan. e oth love arvel and we oth love movies. did this theme to represent a ond e tween me and him. want him to now that ad may not e home ut ad’s still thin ing a out him. did it for me for that reason too. or oth of us to have something that re minds us of each other.

Prime: What do you love about the truck’s design?

J.T.: t’s li e a dou le edge sword truc . n the hood it’s a face of half enom half piderman. The piderman is red and enom is lac . Then on the side enom loo s li e he’s ripping his claws into the side of my truc and there are enom we s. n the piderman side have piderman in li e he’s swinging off the truc .

Prime: Did you carry the theme to the truck’s interior?

J.T.: y lan et and pillow covers are custom made. They show enom versus piderman.

Prime: What kind of reactions does the truck get?

J.T.: very time ’m in the truc stop get nothing ut thum s ups from other drivers. get old ladies and young ids lowing their horns at me and giving me thum s ups. t’s li e ’m a cele rity when ’m out on the road. new ids would love it ut didn’t now adults would love it this much.

Prime: What’s your favorite memory with the truck?

J.T.: hen pic ed up my truc it was li e a dream come true. eeing what came from to where ’m at in such a short time the est thing that happened to me was coming to Prime. t’s opened so many doors for my family. ’ve een a le to provide for them li e never have efore. t’s the est decision ’ve ever made and ’m proud of it. That’s why give every time ’m out here.

Prime: What advice would you share with another driver who is planning custom truck design?

J.t.: et something that you’re going to li e and something that you’re going to e proud of. t should e something that motivates you or inspires you. ou’re in your truc a lot and it’s also a representation of you and of Prime. et something that ma es you happy.