Local owner-operator retires after driving same Mack truck for nearly 40 years

RD686S still on the road after 1.4 million miles

William Bressler bought a 1986 Mack RD686S when he began his career in the construction industry. Now, nearly 40 years later, he’s retiring—but the truck is still going strong.

“After 1.4 million miles, it wasn’t the truck that gave out—it was my body at 71,” Bressler says. “Even with all those miles, I sold my Mack to a friend who took it through inspection, and it passed without any issues. It’s still out there today, running strong.”

Bressler’s second career as a truck driver began after he was laid off from a railroad job. He had always enjoyed driving trucks, had friends in the construction industry, and saw an opportunity there for steady work if he owned his own truck. He bought his truck from Baltimore Mack in 1986.

He credits his longevity and success over nearly four decades to hard work, dedication, and a commitment to keeping his truck in top shape.

“I was always willing to put in long hours, haul any kind of material, and support the crews on the ground—whether it was paving, septic work, or moving equipment,” Bressler says. “I wasn’t just there to drive the truck; I pitched in however I could, from running machinery to laboring. Over the years, I also made cost-saving material suggestions for customers, which helped strengthen relationships and build trust. Many of my customers stayed with me for years, and I was always thankful for their business.”

The truck’s design also contributed to Bressler’s productivity as an owner-operator.

“I was fortunate to design my truck body with 18-inch removable side boards,” he says. “This feature gave me the flexibility to remove them on a job site, allowing for loading by smaller equipment and preventing damage to my truck.”

Nobody gets to over 1.4 million miles without needing some maintenance from time to time. Bressler says he handled the routine maintenance like oil changes, greasing, and tire upkeep himself, thanks to “outstanding support” from Baltimore Mack, where he picked up official Mack parts for repairs.

“For bigger jobs, I relied on a close friend who’s an experienced truck mechanic—he maintained and repaired my truck for years, right out of my shop,” Bressler says. “I also had another friend who was a talented welder. I’m incredibly grateful for their support over the years in keeping the truck on the road.

“Thanks to regular maintenance and attention to safety, I never had an accident, a ticket, or any points on my license while running my Mack. A longtime friend also made sure I had timely diesel deliveries to fuel my truck daily—and at the end of the day, I’d wind down with a few cold beers to refuel myself.”

James White, vice president of operations at Baltimore Potomac Truck Centers, says Bressler was well-known in the community. Even though Bressler was a relatively small owner-operator in the region, White says he was liked and respected among other drivers and the technicians and staff at his business.

All the way until he sold it, White says, Bressler kept his vehicle “regularly maintained. He had a Mack-certified technician, Frank Hackley, who would come in regularly—every few weeks—to get all the odds and ends they needed and to get their repairs done. He kept that vehicle in great shape.”

For Bressler, the Mack brand is synonymous with durability and performance.

“Mack trucks are built to work—and built to last,” he says. “Mine was incredibly dependable, with a rock-solid camelback suspension that handled both on-road and off-road jobs with no problem—especially when tailgating stone or working in tough dump sites. It had a low-hole 6-speed MaxiTorque transmission, a 55,000-lb camelback rear suspension, and a 20,000-lb front axle. My Mack was a serious workhorse, and it never let me down. I looked at other manufacturers, but they didn’t compare to Mack when it came to heavy-duty dump truck performance.”

Off the road, Bressler says being an owner-operator was challenging at times, but he was supported by a great community.

“At times, I had to cover multiple job sites, which meant hiring additional trucks—and I was fortunate to have great friends in the business I could count on,” he says. “Keeping my truck ready every day and making calls to line up work were always top priorities. And I couldn’t have done it without my wife—she handled all the paperwork and made the whole operation possible.”

Now retired, Bressler admits he sometimes still dreams about driving his truck.

“Retirement has been tough—it’s not easy to step away from something that was such a big part of your life for so long,” Bressler says. “As they say, it’s the lucky dog who drives a new Mack—and I was indeed a lucky dog for many years.”