American Trucker (2011 - 2011)

Holding off Star Wars for 3 months at the box office in 1977 speaks volumes about a film's potential. It was Smokey and The Bandit that kept Lucas's breakthrough on the shelf. Burt Reynolds was the iconic Bandit driving the Trans Am. Jerry Reed was the Snowman who drove that forever famous big rig.

Robb's off to South Carolina to meet up with Kelvin Locklear, owner of K&L Chrome Shop and Outcast Kustoms. Kelvin has been customizing a 1983 Peterbilt 362 cabover rig for Niven Williams, an active Special Forces soldier stationed at Fort Bragg. Niven's father bought the truck back in the 1980's and after driving it for decades, gave it to his son. Robb learns more about the truck's family history and what Niven has gone through in order to get the truck to the shop.

Robb combs the nation for the coolest custom truck in America. Just like the world of Hot Rods, in the world of trucking, customization is a big deal. He visits three of the best custom big rig shops around, not only to check out their decked-out rides, but to put the rides to the test.

This episode of American Trucker brings us to Shandon, Ohio, where we'll catch up with the kings of the load, Diamond Heavy Haul. For over 30 years, these guys have been hauling the biggest and heaviest loads on the road. When it comes to delivering the superload, nobody does it like Diamond.

Robb's fascination with big rigs doesn't end with admiration. He wants to fulfill his childhood dream of being behind the wheel of a big rig. So it's off to the Dootson School of Trucking in Southern California. Very quickly, Robb realizes that getting his commercial driver's license will prove to be a lot harder than he thinks.

Robb tours with one of the biggest country acts in America.

Host Robb Mariani relives a childhood dream, driving a truck with a traveling carnival.

Robb meets an American trucking legend, UPS driver Ron “Big Dog” Sowder. Big Dog then leads Robb on a tour of the gigantic UPS facility in Louisville.

Robb rides shotgun with a NASCAR Sprint Cup transport team from Phoenix to Las Vegas.

Robb rides with the "push rigs," heavy trucks that help rigs stranded by snow and ice.

Robb tours NASA's special custom fleet of big rigs and semis used in almost every element of every Space Shuttle mission.

Robb rides along with truckers delivering supplies to victims of the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.

Robb visits a vintage truck show before touring the assembly line of the largest manufacturer of big rigs in North America.