10-4 Magazine November 2021

Cover Feature: By Daniel J. Linss several freeways were either being expanded or built new, so there was plenty of business. At only 11 years old, young Jeff already had his finger on the pulse of what was cool in trucking, so his dad Gerrit, who’s CB handle was Mr. Clean, would ask his 11-year-old son for advice on how to fix his truck up. One of the examples Gus told me were chrome flap weights – Jeff told his dad he should put them on his truck, and he did. But surprisingly, this was a relatively new thing, and not everyone liked them. Growing up, Jeff would ride with his dad whenever he could, and when he couldn’t ride with dad, he’d find someone else to ride with. He also got a job at a local truck repair shop called Some guys claim to be the real deal, but I am here to tell you – Gus Hulstein (33) is the real deal. Not only is he a third-generation trucker, taught by his dad, who was taught by his dad, but he drives an old-school Peterbilt 379 every day, as well. He also loves old trucks, and between he and his dad, they have a backyard full of them. Gus had been on our radar for several years as a possible cover trucker, but it wasn’t until two of our trusted contributors, just a few months apar t, both called me specifically to recommend Gus and his truck as a possible feature or cover. And when these guys talk, I listen. Thank you, Trevor Hardwick and Bryan Welsh, for always looking out for us here at 10-4 Magazine. After immigrating to the U.S. from Holland in the early 1900s, Gus’ great grandparents settled in Iowa, where they had a dairy farm. Gus’ grandfather Gerrit was born in Iowa, but he moved to Southern California in 1941. Shor tly thereafter he was drafted into World War II, and upon his return in 1945, he bought his first truck and trailer – a 1938 Ford with a “straight 8” Buick engine and a plywood sleeper – and began hauling hay under his new company, Hulstein Transpor tation. Over the years, this company has remained in existence, even though there were times when nobody was using it. Hauling hay for the dairy industry, which was booming in Southern California back then, Gerrit would run over the pass known as the Grapevine, heading to Bakersfield, on a regular basis. That old Ford, when fully loaded, would chug along up that steep grade at a whopping 3 mph. Gus told me a story about how his grandmother Annette would ride with Gerrit, and when he fell asleep with his foot on the gas pedal, she would just take the wheel and steer while he napped, and they would continue to putter up the hill. After about a year, Gerrit and Annette got married and star ted a chicken farm, and Gerrit began driving for other people, hauling hay and various dairy supplies. Gus’ dad Jeff was born in Bellflower in 1957, and he was a truck nut from day one. In 1968, Gerrit got his second truck – a brand-new wide-hood Peterbilt – and star ted pulling bottom dumps in Southern California. The suburbs were growing at a blistering pace, and 10 10-4 Magazine / November 2021 THE REAL DEAL