A Stellar Journey: Inside the Three-Year Build of Sunkiss Towing's Rotator

By George L. Nitti

Some tow trucks are ordered. Others are assembled. And then there are trucks like the newest rotator at Sunkiss Towing in Idaho Falls, Idaho—a truck conceived over nearly three years, engineered across three countries, customized from the ground up and ultimately transformed into a tribute to company founder and family patriarch, Dan Pickering.

For owner Zach Pickering, the project was never simply about adding another heavy wrecker to the fleet.

"It wasn't just about building a tow truck," Pickering says. "It was about building something that represented who we are."

The result is a striking 60-ton rotator finished in brilliant red and wrapped in custom graphics that celebrate local landmarks, family values, faith and hometown pride. Every inch of the truck tells part of a story.

Unlike many operators who purchase complete wreckers directly from a builder, Pickering insists on purchasing every chassis through his local Kenworth dealer before sending it through each stage of construction.

"We're huge believers in supporting our local community," he explains. "I buy every chassis through our local Kenworth dealer, even though it costs me a little more."

That decision added both cost and complexity. Instead of following the typical production process, the project required close coordination between the local dealership, Kenworth engineers, transportation companies and the body manufacturer.

"It probably costs me three or four percent more," Pickering says. "It doesn't save me any money. It's actually more work. But keeping the money local is more important to me."

Because the finished truck would stretch 44½ feet long—just six inches shy of the legal 45-foot limit—Kenworth engineers became concerned about frame deflection. Rather than using the conventional double-frame construction found on most heavy wreckers, they engineered the chassis with an uncommon triple-frame rail.

"I've never seen another rotator triple framed," Pickering says. "The extra frame adds weight. You don't necessarily want that. But you also don't want your truck bending."

Once the chassis was completed, the truck began an extraordinary journey of its own.

Its first stop was Canada, where technicians installed a second steer axle, converting it into a twin-steer chassis. From there it traveled to Pennsylvania, where the Custom Built body and 60-ton recovery unit were installed. By the time the truck rolled out complete, nearly three years had passed.

The finished machine tips the scales at 81,000 pounds, powered by a 605-horsepower Cummins X15 paired with an 18-speed transmission.

One feature required considerable persuasion. Pickering had long envisioned a rotator equipped with a sleeper, but the builder resisted because of the truck's already imposing length.

"I always wanted a sleeper on a rotator," he recalls. "I finally convinced them."

The truck was originally slated to wear a completely different graphic package. Then, midway through the build, Pickering's father passed away. The project instantly took on new meaning. Instead of moving forward with the original design, Pickering transformed the truck into a lasting tribute to the man who founded the family business.

"We built the graphics around everything my dad loved."

Suddenly, every graphic element became deeply personal. A skyline portrays recognizable eastern Idaho landmarks. A temple silhouette reflects Dan Pickering's enduring faith after overcoming alcoholism and dedicating his life to serving others. The compass ties the truck visually to other Sunkiss equipment. Across the sleeper, one phrase stands above all the others:

Carry-On Maestro

"It was one of my dad's favorite sayings," Pickering explains. "He always told us, 'Carry on, Maestro.' To him, it meant keep leading. Keep leading the orchestra. Keep leading the good fight."

Throughout the lengthy construction, Pickering had envisioned unveiling the truck at the American Towman Exposition in Las Vegas. When the day finally arrived, Sunkiss brought three trucks to the show. More importantly, Zach brought nearly 30 members of his family.

"We all went down together to see the awards," he says. "We took a family picture in front of the truck."

Today the rotator works throughout eastern Idaho and the Yellowstone National Park region, responding to tractor-trailer recoveries, overturned fuel tankers and heavy agricultural incidents. It has already recovered a medical helicopter and recently assisted another rotator in lifting a 120,000-pound generator.

For Pickering, the truck's 60-ton capacity perfectly fits the region's needs.

"We don't really need 75- or 100-ton trucks," he explains. "Our roads are narrower. We don't have huge industrial equipment like some metro areas. We're an agricultural community."

For Sunkiss Towing, this rotator represents a commitment to supporting local businesses, investing in thoughtful engineering and remembering the man whose values continue to guide the company. The truck's three-year journey—from the drawing board to the showroom floor and finally onto the highways of eastern Idaho—produced far more than an impressive rotator. It created a rolling legacy that carries forward Dan Pickering's spirit every time Zach climbs behind the wheel. As the words on the sleeper remind everyone who sees it, the mission is simple: Carry-On Maestro.