Rick Frates / Rick Frates Transportation

As another Summer comes to an end, fall is right around the corner here on the East Coast, and the trees will soon be a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, and oranges. This 1982 Peterbilt 359 EXHD is brighter than the fall leaves & is owned by Rick Frates, a MA native who runs it five days a week hauling loads for PA-based STBI up to MA, CT, and NH.

Rick says he's been around trucks his whole life, starting at age 5 when he'd sit in his father's '70 Brockway (nicknamed Bertha) and pretend to drive it just like his dad. Needless to say, Rick's mom wasn't too happy and would always make him come in the house to go to bed! He says his dad used to take him to CT in his Ford Louisville hauling scrap tires to Exeter Energy.

The rest is history and Rick owns & operates Rick Frates Transportation, turning heads at the docks & on the interstate with his classic Pete 359. Power comes from a 400 CAT engine that's paired up with a 15-speed overdrive and a set of 3:70 rears. The truck has been stretched to 300" and has an air leaf suspension along with a House of Air front axle.

Rick is only 41 but he's been driving since he became legal to do so, originally hauling flatbed freight to Miami & Ohio. He has certainly come a long way since watching his grandfather run cranes and his dad deliver tires, and his dedicated runs for STBI definitely keep the wheels turning on his 359. Rick Frates always delivers in style every time he gets behind the wheel of his red hot 359! Movin' Out applauds Rick's hard work by choosing him as our October Working Show Truck of the Month.