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The Rise of Pacific Truck Manufacturing
Pacific Truck Manufacturing Ltd., founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1947, carved out a niche in the heavy-duty vocational truck market by building ultra-rugged vehicles tailored for logging, mining, and oilfield operations. Unlike mass-market highway trucks, Pacific specialized in low-volume, high-strength platforms with reinforced frames, oversized axles, and custom configurations. Their trucks were often built to order, with some models taking months to complete due to the bespoke nature of their design.
By the 1970s, Pacific had become synonymous with logging in Western Canada. Their flagship model, the P16, was a dominant force in British Columbia’s timber industry, known for its ability to haul massive loads over steep, muddy terrain. Though production numbers were modest—estimated at fewer than 2,000 units total—their impact was outsized. Pacific trucks were often the backbone of remote logging operations where failure was not an option.
The P16 and Its Logging Legacy
The Pacific P16 was engineered specifically for off-highway logging. It featured a double-channel I-beam frame, Clark 91,000 lb rear axles, and a Detroit Diesel 12V71N engine paired with an Allison CLBT5960 automatic transmission. With 14:00 x 25 tires and spring suspension, the P16 could handle extreme terrain while pulling pre-load trailers stacked with 50-foot logs.
Terminology note:
Variants and Custom Builds
Beyond the P16, Pacific offered other models like the P12 and P9, each tailored to specific tasks. The P12W, for example, featured a wide 40-inch frame for added stability in chip hauling. Some units were built with raised cabs for better visibility, especially in chip truck configurations where the load could obscure the driver’s view.
In one notable example, a P12 chip truck operating in Gold River had its cab elevated nearly a foot above standard height. While not a factory option, this modification was likely done by a local shop to improve visibility and accommodate custom hood geometry.
Pacific’s modular approach meant that parts from other brands—like Hayes HDX fenders or bumpers—were sometimes grafted onto older trucks during rebuilds. These hybrids were common in logging outfits that maintained their fleets in-house, often fabricating components from scratch.
Durability and Field Reputation
Pacific trucks earned a reputation for being “hell for stout,” as one operator put it. Their ability to haul twice the payload of a highway truck made them invaluable in remote logging camps. Despite their size and weight, they were surprisingly agile on narrow logging roads, thanks to their short wheelbase and high ground clearance.
Stories abound of Pacifics surviving rollovers, loader strikes, and decades of abuse with minimal downtime. One 1974 P16, still in service in Port McNeill, had been rebuilt multiple times but retained its original frame and drivetrain. Mechanics noted that the truck’s I-beam frame showed no signs of fatigue even after 40 years of operation.
Trailer Systems and Innovations
Pacific trucks often pulled Columbia LT50 trailers or custom-built units with advanced features. The transition from manual chain-and-pin systems to pneumatic Maxi Boosters allowed drivers to extend trailers without leaving the cab—a major safety and efficiency upgrade.
However, these systems weren’t without flaws. In winter, the pneumatic actuators could freeze, and a misplaced log from a loader could destroy the mechanism. Despite these risks, most operators preferred the convenience of in-cab control over manual adjustments.
Decline and Preservation
By the late 1980s, Pacific Truck Manufacturing faced increasing competition from larger OEMs and changing industry demands. The company ceased production, though its legacy lives on through surviving trucks and a dedicated parts operation in New Westminster, BC. Larry McNutt, a longtime parts manager, reportedly continued supplying components for decades, helping owners keep their Pacifics running long after the factory closed.
Some units were sold to companies like Lamar Lake Logging and Hayes Forest Services, while others found new life with contractors like Dorman Timber. A few were converted into sand trucks or dump trucks, their frames and drivetrains repurposed for new tasks.
A Story from Sproat Lake Division
In 1976, four brand-new Pacific pre-load trucks—H-323 through H-326—arrived at the Sproat Lake Division. These units were the pride of the fleet, equipped with Columbia trailers and Maxi Boosters. Over time, they were dispersed across the island, with some ending up in Duncan and others in Port McNeill. One, H321, was eventually acquired by Dorman Timber and remains in operation today.
Conclusion
Pacific trucks were more than machines—they were icons of the logging industry’s golden age. Built for strength, customized for terrain, and maintained by craftsmen, these trucks continue to inspire admiration among operators and collectors alike. Whether hauling poles through the forests of British Columbia or parked proudly in a yard, a Pacific truck tells a story of grit, engineering, and the enduring spirit of the logging trade.
Pacific Truck Manufacturing Ltd., founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1947, carved out a niche in the heavy-duty vocational truck market by building ultra-rugged vehicles tailored for logging, mining, and oilfield operations. Unlike mass-market highway trucks, Pacific specialized in low-volume, high-strength platforms with reinforced frames, oversized axles, and custom configurations. Their trucks were often built to order, with some models taking months to complete due to the bespoke nature of their design.
By the 1970s, Pacific had become synonymous with logging in Western Canada. Their flagship model, the P16, was a dominant force in British Columbia’s timber industry, known for its ability to haul massive loads over steep, muddy terrain. Though production numbers were modest—estimated at fewer than 2,000 units total—their impact was outsized. Pacific trucks were often the backbone of remote logging operations where failure was not an option.
The P16 and Its Logging Legacy
The Pacific P16 was engineered specifically for off-highway logging. It featured a double-channel I-beam frame, Clark 91,000 lb rear axles, and a Detroit Diesel 12V71N engine paired with an Allison CLBT5960 automatic transmission. With 14:00 x 25 tires and spring suspension, the P16 could handle extreme terrain while pulling pre-load trailers stacked with 50-foot logs.
Terminology note:
- Pre-load Trailer: A logging trailer preloaded with logs by a loader, then attached to a truck for transport.
- Bunks: Cross-members on a logging trailer that cradle the logs.
- Maxi Booster: A pneumatic system that replaces manual chain-and-pin trailer extensions, allowing in-cab control.
Variants and Custom Builds
Beyond the P16, Pacific offered other models like the P12 and P9, each tailored to specific tasks. The P12W, for example, featured a wide 40-inch frame for added stability in chip hauling. Some units were built with raised cabs for better visibility, especially in chip truck configurations where the load could obscure the driver’s view.
In one notable example, a P12 chip truck operating in Gold River had its cab elevated nearly a foot above standard height. While not a factory option, this modification was likely done by a local shop to improve visibility and accommodate custom hood geometry.
Pacific’s modular approach meant that parts from other brands—like Hayes HDX fenders or bumpers—were sometimes grafted onto older trucks during rebuilds. These hybrids were common in logging outfits that maintained their fleets in-house, often fabricating components from scratch.
Durability and Field Reputation
Pacific trucks earned a reputation for being “hell for stout,” as one operator put it. Their ability to haul twice the payload of a highway truck made them invaluable in remote logging camps. Despite their size and weight, they were surprisingly agile on narrow logging roads, thanks to their short wheelbase and high ground clearance.
Stories abound of Pacifics surviving rollovers, loader strikes, and decades of abuse with minimal downtime. One 1974 P16, still in service in Port McNeill, had been rebuilt multiple times but retained its original frame and drivetrain. Mechanics noted that the truck’s I-beam frame showed no signs of fatigue even after 40 years of operation.
Trailer Systems and Innovations
Pacific trucks often pulled Columbia LT50 trailers or custom-built units with advanced features. The transition from manual chain-and-pin systems to pneumatic Maxi Boosters allowed drivers to extend trailers without leaving the cab—a major safety and efficiency upgrade.
However, these systems weren’t without flaws. In winter, the pneumatic actuators could freeze, and a misplaced log from a loader could destroy the mechanism. Despite these risks, most operators preferred the convenience of in-cab control over manual adjustments.
Decline and Preservation
By the late 1980s, Pacific Truck Manufacturing faced increasing competition from larger OEMs and changing industry demands. The company ceased production, though its legacy lives on through surviving trucks and a dedicated parts operation in New Westminster, BC. Larry McNutt, a longtime parts manager, reportedly continued supplying components for decades, helping owners keep their Pacifics running long after the factory closed.
Some units were sold to companies like Lamar Lake Logging and Hayes Forest Services, while others found new life with contractors like Dorman Timber. A few were converted into sand trucks or dump trucks, their frames and drivetrains repurposed for new tasks.
A Story from Sproat Lake Division
In 1976, four brand-new Pacific pre-load trucks—H-323 through H-326—arrived at the Sproat Lake Division. These units were the pride of the fleet, equipped with Columbia trailers and Maxi Boosters. Over time, they were dispersed across the island, with some ending up in Duncan and others in Port McNeill. One, H321, was eventually acquired by Dorman Timber and remains in operation today.
Conclusion
Pacific trucks were more than machines—they were icons of the logging industry’s golden age. Built for strength, customized for terrain, and maintained by craftsmen, these trucks continue to inspire admiration among operators and collectors alike. Whether hauling poles through the forests of British Columbia or parked proudly in a yard, a Pacific truck tells a story of grit, engineering, and the enduring spirit of the logging trade.
