Truckin’ Life – August 2019

I gave him the okay to do the bonnets.

They weren’t cheap and Mark wanted to

do the bonnets” he explained.

The bonnets that John is referring to

are the custom built ones on their two

new Titans. Mack bonnets are built by

Marky Industries and the Carmichael’s

liked the Southern Cross bonnets, they

weren’t that keen on Tony Champion’s

and had their own ideas.

“I wanted something different and

wanted it to be our own. We liked the big

square grill. The V8 bulldog scoops on

each side and opted for 7” lights and the

current Titan mud guards. I think they

look terrific!” smiled Mark.

After driving a new generation Titan

for five years, Mark knew what works

and what doesn’t.

“I was happy with the mechanical side

of things. The Mack driveline is fantastic,

but we both agreed that we would go

away from the airbag suspension and

go back to springs. I wanted round fuel

tanks. I would never have square tanks

out here again. As far as the cosmetic

side of things, Dad let me go and I

wanted to get back to an older school

shape as much as possible.”

Painted round tanks were a must. A

big steel bullbar painted silver, built by

Western Truck Group come about after

the Carmichaels modelled theirs on Mark

Johnstone’s Titan bar. The two snorkels

up the back of the sleeper are not only

for looks. They are very functional with

diff coolers and the other forcing air into

the battery box.

“We wanted to go back to our original

Mack, the Superliner with a steel bar

COMPANY: Carmichaels Transport

FLEET OPERATORS:

John Keren & Mark Carmichael

MAKE: Mack Titans

GVM: 31.1 Ton

TRUCK NAMES: “CLAY PAN BOOGIE”

“DANCING IN THE DUST”

ENGINES: MP10

REG NO’s: XN64HX & XN61HX

HORSEPOWER: 685HP

WHEELBASE: 6250mm

TRANSMISSION: Mack Mdrive

TURNTABLE: Holland

TRUCK REFINISHER: CMV Truck & Bus Wodonga

TRAILER MANUFACTURER: TRUCK ART

SIGNAGE/DECAL: MASTER ART DESIGNS

RIG SPECS

TRUCK & DRIVER

RIG OF THE MONTH

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Carmichael’s are

proud of their long

association with

graziers and farmers

Painted steel tanks set off the truck and the

dunage rack across the back provide toolboxes

and the mounting for the air conditioner

The bullbars on the Titans were

modelled on Mark Johnstones and

are steel bars painted silver, just

like the old Mk II Superliner