The Great Thompson Falls Log Haul of 1972
Some stories are just too cool not to share here at MontanaOutdoor.com—like this legendary logging trip right out of Thompson Falls, Montana. Back in June of 1972, Floyd Veach of Heron pulled off a record-setting haul with not one, not two, but SEVEN fully loaded logging trailers behind a single Peterbilt. That is over 300 feet of truck and timber, weighing in at a whopping 674,860 pounds!
It took some serious teamwork and 114 tires to make it happen, and the drive wasn’t without its issues (like trailers needing a quick reconnect mid-mountain). But by the end of the day, Veach rolled right into the record books—and even into a 1974 Chevy commercial! That’s pretty darn cool.
Check out the original post on Facebook via Thompson Falls, MT to see the full story. Because honestly… this kind of story definitely deserves another lap around the internet! So awesome.
Photo caption via Thompson Falls, MT Facebook page: In June 1972, this Peterbuilt truck with a 350 Cummings engine, driven by Floyd Veach for LHC, pulled seven trailers loaded with logs in one trip 32 miles down Thompson River to the Anaconda Co. Forest Products division’s log landing five miles east of Thompson Falls, Montana. The world record haul consisted was a total gross weight of 674,860 pounds. The net weight of the logs totaled 551,220 pounds. The truck and seven pups (as logging trailers are known) weighed 123,640 pounds.
Loggers via Thompson Falls, MT Facebook page: Principals in record haul from June of 1972 were from left, Clyde Smith, Whitefish logging contractor; Joe Milner, LHC foreman, Floyd Veach, driver and George Gould, grader operator who assisted Smith in loading operation. –1972 Sanders County Ledger photo by K.A. Eggensperger
