14 10-4 Magazine / July 2025 except the teal and orange accents have been completely reversed, meaning the second truck is also cream but it has orange wherever there is teal on the first truck, and teal wherever there is orange on the other truck. They also built this one on a budget and in just a few weeks, too. We met the guys at our Truckin’ For Kids event back in early May 2025, and were really blown away by them and their truck. At that time, they had just purchased the sister truck, so it was just plain white, but it still looked good parked next to their “Cream Machine” rig. And now, having seen a video of what the second truck looks like, I am just amazed at how good it looks and how quickly they did it. These guys do not mess around! The driver who was in the high-rise Cascadia, Manuel Cardenas, will soon be moving into this new truck, and he can’t wait. Rene plans to sell that other Cascadia and replace it with their next project, but mums the word on that one, right now. The trailer hooked to “Cream Machine” in these pictures was just recently purchased from a guy in Texas, so it is still a work in progress. The 2001 Utility 48’ stainless spread-axle reefer trailer with a lift axle features a painted-to-match Thermo King SB-210 unit (which will soon be upgraded to be CARB-compliant), painted rails, lights down both sides, and low-pro rubber to match the tractor. Eventually, it will be fitted with additional lights, the chassis and landing gear will be painted teal, and it will get some polished stainless-steel quarter-fenders. For some – even me – the term “plastic truck” has always been considered to be derogatory and demeaning, but Rene and his brothers have embraced it. They knew they would get negative comments from some people because their truck is a Freightliner Cascadia, so they decided to create the “Plastic Truck Mafia” brand, in hopes of overcoming the stigma and encouraging others with “plastic trucks” to be proud of what they have. Not everyone wants or can afford a big fancy long hood Peterbilt or Kenworth and so many out there take great care of their “aero” trucks, so it only makes sense to support and inspire these people to be happy and satisfied with what they have and give them a sense of community with others who have these types of rigs, too. Breaking the cycle of struggle and negative stereotypes are some of Rene’s goals. To accomplish this, he hopes to have four or five trucks, each owned by one of his brothers, all working together. He wants to provide a better life for his future family (wife and kids) which does not exist yet, along with his siblings and mother. With Alex working in the shop, Rene is encouraging him to get his CDL soon, and their younger brother Bernardo just recently got his CDL, so Rene hopes to get him in the family business and behind the wheel of a truck soon. But Rene also wants to have balance, so he doesn’t want to grow too big – he wants to have a fulfilling life outside of trucking, too. When it came time to give thanks, Rene immediately wanted to acknowledge his entire family – he may have made sacrifices for them over the years, but they have also supported him. Thanks also to everyone who helped build this truck and helped them get to where they are today. He was also very thankful to us here at 10-4, saying, “Thank you for taking a chance on us and fulfilling our dreams of being in the magazine.” Alex wanted to thank Genaro Ruiz for being his right-hand-man at All-In Customs. Shooting the pictures on a hot Sunday morning in a dusty turnout near our house, we had a good time with Rene, Alex, Bernardo and Genaro. These guys were excited, and whenever I made them move the truck, even just a little bit, they were out there in the hot sun juicing all the tires again – even the treads – every time. It is so refreshing to meet hard working, polite and humble young people that give us hope for trucking’s future. They may not have a lot of money yet, but they are doing the best with what they have and absolutely killing it. “Ballin’ on a Budget” is more than just a catchy headline for Double R Trucking... it’s a way of life. n Bug Shields • Peep Windows Custom License Plates • Window Wings Quarter Fender Flaps • And More www.DANENELSONBUGSHIELDS.com
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