Hammer Lane Legends

 In this week's episode, we are joined by Joe, a seasoned truck driver with a wealth of stories from his decades on the road. From harrowing blizzards to the unique camaraderie found within the trucking community, Joe shares insights into the life of a trucker, including the challenges and unexpected moments that define this profession. His journey through various facets of the trucking industry,...

 In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends , the hosts dive into a lively conversation filled with personal stories, workplace quirks, and the frustrations of life on the road. They explore everything from truck design evolution and pay structures to the challenges of night shifts and navigating road construction. With humor and lightheartedness, they share anecdotes about home repairs, car detailing...

In this week's episode Brian and Shipper are joined by Justin Hertel, a fellow Pitt Ohio, Line Haul driver of 19 years. Justin got his start in the industry on the dock working part time in outbound, and worked his way up from the dock to the big rig. He shares some stories from the his time driving a sprinter, as well as many more from the road. Including a driver hitting a cow! There was a lot o...

In this episode, the hosts dive into the ups and downs of trucking life, from hauling oversized loads and adjusting to manual trucks to the camaraderie at truck stops. They also explore the financial strains of home repairs, compare life in Alabama and California, and share thoughts on the upcoming election. Joined by Michael Hawes, the conversation turns to politics, debating national security, i...

In episode 144: The Narrow Road; Brian and Shipper have a great conversation with Rooster a Marine veteran from the mid-west. Rooster life is truly an incredible story of overcoming the toughest scenarios. In his time serving with the Marines, Rooster served two tours shortly after 9/11. In dealing with the difficulties of transitioning back into civilian life, Rooster fell into drugs while workin...

In this episode, the hosts reconnect with an old friend for a lively discussion covering everything from life on the road to paranormal encounters and recent filming projects. They dive into technology's impact on driving, share personal stories, and explore topics like boxing, MMA, and the quirks of online shopping. With humor and reflection, they discuss family dynamics, weather adventures, and...

In this episode we're joined by Dewey, a logging truck driver. He shares some incredible stories, as well as his thoughts on the industry. This one was full of great conversation, and a lot of laughs. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD : www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL : 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES :...

In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, hosts Brian Merkel and Brian Shipper sit down with Erin from PIT Ohio for a lively conversation about work, family, and the joys of music. Erin shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home mom to a trucking career, touching on the challenges of parenting, workplace dynamics, and her children's ambitions. With personal stories, humor, and a shared love for...

In this week's episode, 151: The Midnight Thief; the guys are joined in studio by Hector, another fellow Pitt-Ohio driver. Hector's experiences are vast and he shares with us some incredible stories from he time in many different fields. Before he joined Pitt-Ohio, Hector was in the Repo business, which as everyone knows can be wild! He really enjoyed his time in that industry, but eventually move...

 In this episode, Chris Malouf shares his incredible journey from running a home-based business to becoming a trucker. He talks about his experiences driving across the country, dealing with truck breakdowns, and navigating the challenges of the trucking industry. From his early days with Melton and Huff and Puff to the realities of life on the road, Chris discusses the highs and lows of truck dri...

In Episode 109: Mutant Swans Attack, the guys chat with Brian, a new truck driver who just recently started driving big rigs. Though Brian is new to driving an 18-wheeler, he has plenty of experience on the road. Before he got his Class A, Brian spent years with FedEx, UPS, and even as an air delivery driver. He's had an innumerable amount of wild experiences while driving, from seeing a woman hit...

 In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends , hosts Brian Merkel and Brian Schipper dive into everything from personal anecdotes to trucking life. They discuss family dynamics, parenting as truckers, and balancing work with home life. Joined by Hector and his son Braden, the conversation shifts to the Truck Driving Championship, its requirements, and the camaraderie within the industry. Along the way,...

In this weeks episode, "154: Diamond Reo Disaster Averted"; the guys are joined by Scott a driver for 20+ years. Scott got his start in the industry as a cement block hauler, working his way up from the factory to the cab. He worked for the cement block hauler for a little over 20 years, until he found his current job hauling milk. While working with the cement block hauling company, Scott managed...

 In this episode, the hosts dive into a wide-ranging discussion on electric vehicles, cutting-edge car tech, and personal experiences with surgeries. They explore the latest advancements in models like Rivian and Tesla, along with innovations like drive-by-wire and steer-by-wire systems. The conversation also touches on LASIK eye surgery, the evolving trucking industry, and the future of transport...

In this week's episode, the guys are joined by Ken, a retired truck driver with over 30 years of experience on the road. Despite facing challenges like power outages and chilly weather, Ken shares his experiences hauling a variety of loads, from agriculture and frozen meat to heavy equipment. He sheds light on the unique challenges of transporting oversized loads and tells a gripping story of mane...

 In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, the hosts introduce their new producer, Jason, diving into his background in graphic design, podcasting, and life as a heavy metal musician. The discussion flows from the evolution of the trucking industry to Jason’s intriguing encounters with the paranormal. They swap stories about Bigfoot sightings, eerie sounds in the woods, and their passion for fast ca...

In Episode 106: The Hotshots, Brian and Tony chat with Verno, a wildfire firefighter who is part of a group called "The Hotshots" - pretty cool! This group of the best wildfire firefighters travels wherever they are needed to fight wildfires in the U.S. Verno was featured in a Discovery Channel show called "Into the Inferno," which depicted the trials the whole crew went through to stop the fires....

In this episode, the guys are joined by guest host Scott VanHalken to hear the wild stories from Andrew Lugo, a seasoned truck driver navigating 57-foot trailers through California’s toughest roads. They dive into the unique challenges of driving these longer rigs, the mental and physical demands of the job, and Andrew's journey from working in his father's small business to his current role in fo...

In episode 135: Return of The Merk; Brian is joined by Jack and Tony Merkel, his sons, in a throwback-style episode. With Brian Shipper unable to join, and Tony being in Pennsylvania for his sister's wedding, it seemed like a great time to catch up with the family! This was a lot of fun! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD...

 Brian recounts his cataract surgery and its dramatic impact on his vision, detailing the procedure from eye marking to recovery. He also shares the challenges of recertifying his license, navigating hazmat tests, and updating medical restrictions. The hosts dive into the frustrations of renewing licenses and certifications for truck drivers, highlighting the confusion of managing multiple expirat...

In this week's episode the guys chat with a long time listener, and returning guest, Flatbed Mike; AKA: Mr. "Toot Toot"! Mike originally was a voicemail line call-in guest several times before joining us on episode 94: Around The World and Back , to share how he got into trucking. At that time Mike was just beginning his journey into the wild world of trucking. Now, a few years later, he still enj...

In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, Brian Merkel and Brian Shipper chat with Zach, who shares wild tales from the road. They discuss  a misunderstood yard dog incident and a nerve-wracking U-turn near the Mexican border. Zach recounts his experiences as a hazmat tanker driver, emphasizing safety protocols, and recalls mishaps like a bridge collapse in Baltimore, a resin tanker spill, and trail...

In episode 129: A Lineage of Trucking; Brian and Shipper are joined in studio for a great chat with Nevin Jr. Last week, we had Nevin Jr's dad on the show, and this week we get to sit down with the man who learned from the master. As Nevin shares, driving is just in his family's veins, and that's a good thing. From the time he was a young buck he would watch his dad at work, and see the life of a...

In this episode of Hammer Lane Legends, hosts Brian Merkel and Brian Shipper chat with Scott Van Auken and his wife Karen. They dive into the trucking industry, the unique challenges of being a trucker's wife, and Karen's career as a nurse. The couple shares humorous and heartfelt stories about marriage, raising kids, and navigating health issues. Topics range from driving school buses and dealing...

Crystal Hill, a former bus driver, recounts her 34-year career in the transportation industry, sharing captivating stories and wild incidents. From how she got into bus driving to the challenges and crazy moments on the job, Crystal reveals it all. She emphasizes the importance of professionalism and safety, persevering through accidents and tough situations. Her book, Confessions of a Bus Driver:...