FIXTITLE Jason Youngdahl.docx

A TRUCK DRIVER THROUGH & THROUGH

The Story

Of

Jason Youngdahl

Being raised in any type of distinct environment, naturally it may tend to carve a signature stamp into your personality. Let’s say you are around agriculture your entire upbringing, learning the ins and outs of that specific lifestyle is expected. Should you live in the city, adjusting to the pace of your surroundings becomes easier to take in if you learn to go with the flow. When you are just a baby and comfortable standing up in an enormous semi while still in diapers, with your little hands gripped tightly around the steering wheel, one would think trucking is inevitable. More than certainly, a permanent factor in your future. When the smell of diesel fumes is so familiar that you cannot imagine a day without it, a life as a professional truck driver is your only option to happiness.

Jason Youngdahl is a third generation trucker, following after his father and his father before him. During the 50’s and 60’s Jason’s grandfather hauled mail for a living. Then later, his own father and role model carried on the family tradition of trucking for another 44 years. Intrigued by the size and power of trucks at an early age, the desire to submit himself to the entire realm of trucking is a choice he embraces every day; on and off the clock. He states, “Trucking is my life. I live and breathe it.” When I asked Jason how he enjoys his off time, he replied as if anything else would suffice. “I work on my truck. That’s how I spend my time. Driving it, cleaning it, or working on it…”

Being the son of a trucker, relocating from city to city came as part of the package. His family moved to wherever his dad needed to be in order to work. Growing up, Jason attended 13 different schools before graduating. Originally from Olean, New York he bounced around from there to North Carolina, through Pennsylvania. As soon as he finished high school at 17, Jason enlisted in the Army. Immediately, he left for Fort Leonard Wood located in Missouri for 16 weeks of boot camp and AIT (Advanced Individual Training).

After completing his courses, Jason was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas as a motor transport operator hauling heavy equipment throughout the Army base. For over two years, as a soldier his duties were supervising and operating these trucks and the loading and unloading of the military equipment onto the vehicles.

At only 20 years old, he was deployed overseas to Korea. For the following two years he served as the U.S. Army Colonel’s driver. With his high-risk position, came many responsibilities. In 2005, Jason opted out of the military and returned home. With the opportunity to make trucking a full time career, he immediately put a plan in motion.

He signed a lease purchase program with a trucking company based out of Jonestown, Pennsylvania. In a brand new 2006 W900 he began running over the road. After a few years of traveling all over the country, Jason decided to come off the road. Not all together, but run local. His son was almost three at the time and he wanted to be with his family more often. He went to work for a local department store delivering appliances. Everything seemed to be going right, except for the fact the big loads and long roads kept calling his name.

Trucking is not a profession one chooses to pay their bills because they enjoy missing their loved ones. Trucking is a way of living that a person remains loyal to. Almost like an addiction. The equipment involved and the beauty of a truck all to yourself for others to admire can be consuming. The word ‘self-absorbed’ is referred to a person that is vain, placing themselves as the center of attention. Take away the beginning part of the word, the term ‘absorbed’ alone means; being completely occupied mentally, head over heels, immersed; really into. Insinuating that Jason is absorbed with trucks and his trucking career is a fair statement that he proudly embraces. He is simply the epitome of trucking. One of the finest representations we have in the industry today.

In 2006, Jason landed a position delivering U.S. mail for a company located in New Jersey. Even though he was gone most of the week, he was able to come home to his family every day. For eight years he remained with the business, but found himself wanting to pursue other avenues and benefits. A company out of Pittsburg offered him just that. As a frac sand hauler, Jason gained more experience from doing off the road work than any of his previous driving positions. Just as he found his niche in the industry the oil prices began to drop and the bottom fell out of the fracking business. A year later, Jason made his final leap of faith.

June 2015, Jason joined the driving force at Quality Carriers running for the Williamsport, PA terminal. After 15 years of trucking professionally, not to mention his many years practicing before turning his recreation into a career, he has earned over 1 ½ million miles to his name. This is not including his time serving our country in the Army. That trucking position is recognized as the backbone of the Army’s support, providing advanced mobility at each location. Quality Carriers also value their drivers and make it their company mission to commit to providing each one with the very best network of support possible. With a family oriented environment, Quality Carriers ensures that every driver is well trained and that their equipment is well maintained. Jason continues, “Besides the company being known for their leadership, their dedication to safety and how they pay extra attention to what is going on with their equipment says a lot about a company. We have the safest drivers on the road. Right now where I’m at with my career that is extremely important to me.”

Jason is currently running OTR one month at a time, returning home for a few days off in-between. He is currently pulling a polymer to various water treatment facilities, generally in the North East region. His favorite area of choice is towards the middle southern states of Oklahoma, Louisiana, and parts of Texas. He explains that the highlight of his job and the key reason that keeps him trucking is the opportunity to wake up in different places almost any given day. The advice he likes to share with fellow drivers is simple: be cautious. “The grass is not always greener and easier on the other side. I will admit that I was led to believe that a time or two, thinking that if I went to that company or this company I’ll be happy, but I tell other drivers, don’t! Stay proud of what we do and your dedication will be rewarded.” Before coming on as an owner operator with DB Kustom Trucks, driving for Quality Carriers his résumé listed a number of trucking companies. Each outfit impacted his career in a unique way, but had he known what he knows now; research is the key. In all fairness, that is to be expected from any professional trucker searching for the right fit. This time with experience under his belt, Jason waited patiently before making his next move. Good choices always have a way of showing themselves.

Having his own authority before joining Quality Carriers Jason reached out to the owners and designers of DB Kustom Trucks, brothers Dave and Dan Brown. His final venture was to purchase a custom designed truck and these two businessmen were the perfect pair to point him in the right direction. Together Dan and Dave designed a program partnered through Quality Carriers that allow owner operators like Jason to turn their dreams of owning a custom built truck into a reality. The format assists truck drivers in designing their very own Kustom Truck, while also securing a driving position at one of the nation’s leading tanker companies in the business. Not only do the drivers get their dream truck, but their opportunities with the program are endless as a professional truck driver. Together DB Kustom Trucks and Quality Carriers encourage their drivers to own their own business, expand and capitalize from that starting point, all while driving a beautiful Kustom designed truck.

After speaking with Dave, Jason and his wife Kim began filtering through colors that they favored on a Peterbilt. His son also helped narrow down their selections. Soon after, Dan had shared photos of his latest creation known as, Bel Air on their DB Kustom Trucks Facebook page. The interior and exterior pictures instantly grabbed Jason’s attention. All of the stylish details embellished throughout Bel Air’s classic design proved to be Dan’s signature work. As soon as Jason saw all of the photos, he knew. “The colors were what we had discussed and it looked as if it was modeled after a 50’s Bel Air, but on a big truck. It was old school classic. I’m all about that style and color. I loved it right away! I sent Dave a text right then saying that my check would be in the mail tomorrow,” Jason said. He sent the money in that May, started with Quality Carriers in June, and picked up Bel Air that September from a truck show in St. Ignace, Michigan. Dave and Dan put all effort forward to minimize any stress or complications that may surface during the process of buying a DB Kustom Truck. Overall, the transition is simple and worth it.

Jason’s father is now semi-retired from trucking and is considering following in his son’s footsteps for a change. Jason credits his dad for being the example he needed in such a demanding industry. Witnessing his work ethic, while sharing that same passion started back when Jason was only three years old. He says, “I wanted to be just like him. I can remember, even back that far as a small kid. The time and effort he always put into working, without a doubt he impacted my life from day one. He still does.” Jason’s father is considering his options and may be a DB owner soon, too. With a chance of a lifetime to advance your trucking career at this type of level, why not?

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Bel Air

2007 Peterbilt 379

Cummins Engine ISX

475HP 13-Speed

336 rears & 7 inch pipes flat top stacks

Mega stereo system with two 12 inch subwoofers