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The Role of Crummys in Logging Operations
In the rugged logging regions of British Columbia, crummys—crew transport vehicles—were once a ubiquitous sight. These modified pickups and vans ferried workers deep into forest camps, often navigating treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather. The term “crummy” likely originated from the rough conditions and minimal comfort these vehicles offered. Typically built on robust platforms like the Ford F-Series or Chevrolet C/K trucks, crummys were reinforced with steel cages, bench seating, and sometimes dual rear wheels for added stability.
During the 1970s and 1980s, companies like British Columbia Forest Products (B.C.F.P.), Canfor, and MacMillan Bloedel (M&B) operated vast logging concessions across the province. Each company maintained fleets of crummys tailored to their operational needs. These vehicles were not just transport—they were mobile bunkhouses, break rooms, and emergency shelters rolled into one.
Canfor’s Expansion and Vehicle Fleet
Canfor, founded in 1938 as Pacific Veneer, grew into one of Canada’s largest forest product companies. By the 1980s, Canfor operated dozens of mills and logging camps across British Columbia. Their crummys were often painted in company colors and outfitted with CB radios, first-aid kits, and chains for winter driving. The company’s pickups, typically Ford or Dodge models, were used by foremen and engineers to inspect cut blocks and supervise operations.
In one notable case from 1985, a Canfor crummy was credited with saving lives during a sudden landslide near Prince George. The driver’s quick thinking and the vehicle’s reinforced frame allowed the crew to escape with minor injuries, underscoring the importance of vehicle design in remote forestry work.
MacMillan Bloedel’s Legacy and Crew Transport
M&B, once the largest forestry company in Canada, operated extensive logging operations on Vancouver Island and the mainland coast. Their crummys were often customized GMC Suburbans or International Harvester Travelalls, chosen for their cargo space and off-road capability. M&B’s pickups were used to haul tools, fuel, and spare parts between camps and mill sites.
A retired mechanic recalled rebuilding dozens of M&B crummys in the 1990s, noting that many had over 300,000 kilometers on original drivetrains. The vehicles were maintained meticulously, as breakdowns in remote areas could halt entire operations.
B.C.F.P. and the Evolution of Logging Mobility
British Columbia Forest Products, active from the 1940s through the 1980s, was known for its disciplined approach to logging logistics. Their crummys were often converted school buses or heavy-duty vans, painted in bright safety colors and equipped with roll cages. B.C.F.P. pioneered the use of dual-purpose vehicles that could carry both crew and equipment, reducing the need for multiple trips into the bush.
In 1979, a B.C.F.P. crummy was featured in a provincial safety campaign, highlighting the importance of seatbelts and rollover protection in forestry transport. The campaign led to widespread adoption of reinforced frames and mandatory safety inspections.
Design Features and Modifications
Typical crummy modifications included:
Today, enthusiasts and historians seek out surviving crummys and pickups from this era. Restored vehicles are displayed at forestry museums and vintage truck shows across British Columbia. Some are even used in documentaries and reenactments of logging life.
One collector in Campbell River restored a 1978 Canfor crummy to original condition, complete with company decals and period-correct CB radio. The vehicle now serves as a mobile exhibit, educating visitors about the daily lives of forestry workers.
Conclusion
Crummys and pickups were more than just vehicles—they were lifelines in the remote and demanding world of Pacific Northwest logging. Companies like Canfor, M&B, and B.C.F.P. relied on these machines to keep operations running smoothly and safely. Their legacy lives on in the stories of those who rode in them, repaired them, and now preserve them as symbols of a bygone era of Canadian forestry.
In the rugged logging regions of British Columbia, crummys—crew transport vehicles—were once a ubiquitous sight. These modified pickups and vans ferried workers deep into forest camps, often navigating treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather. The term “crummy” likely originated from the rough conditions and minimal comfort these vehicles offered. Typically built on robust platforms like the Ford F-Series or Chevrolet C/K trucks, crummys were reinforced with steel cages, bench seating, and sometimes dual rear wheels for added stability.
During the 1970s and 1980s, companies like British Columbia Forest Products (B.C.F.P.), Canfor, and MacMillan Bloedel (M&B) operated vast logging concessions across the province. Each company maintained fleets of crummys tailored to their operational needs. These vehicles were not just transport—they were mobile bunkhouses, break rooms, and emergency shelters rolled into one.
Canfor’s Expansion and Vehicle Fleet
Canfor, founded in 1938 as Pacific Veneer, grew into one of Canada’s largest forest product companies. By the 1980s, Canfor operated dozens of mills and logging camps across British Columbia. Their crummys were often painted in company colors and outfitted with CB radios, first-aid kits, and chains for winter driving. The company’s pickups, typically Ford or Dodge models, were used by foremen and engineers to inspect cut blocks and supervise operations.
In one notable case from 1985, a Canfor crummy was credited with saving lives during a sudden landslide near Prince George. The driver’s quick thinking and the vehicle’s reinforced frame allowed the crew to escape with minor injuries, underscoring the importance of vehicle design in remote forestry work.
MacMillan Bloedel’s Legacy and Crew Transport
M&B, once the largest forestry company in Canada, operated extensive logging operations on Vancouver Island and the mainland coast. Their crummys were often customized GMC Suburbans or International Harvester Travelalls, chosen for their cargo space and off-road capability. M&B’s pickups were used to haul tools, fuel, and spare parts between camps and mill sites.
A retired mechanic recalled rebuilding dozens of M&B crummys in the 1990s, noting that many had over 300,000 kilometers on original drivetrains. The vehicles were maintained meticulously, as breakdowns in remote areas could halt entire operations.
B.C.F.P. and the Evolution of Logging Mobility
British Columbia Forest Products, active from the 1940s through the 1980s, was known for its disciplined approach to logging logistics. Their crummys were often converted school buses or heavy-duty vans, painted in bright safety colors and equipped with roll cages. B.C.F.P. pioneered the use of dual-purpose vehicles that could carry both crew and equipment, reducing the need for multiple trips into the bush.
In 1979, a B.C.F.P. crummy was featured in a provincial safety campaign, highlighting the importance of seatbelts and rollover protection in forestry transport. The campaign led to widespread adoption of reinforced frames and mandatory safety inspections.
Design Features and Modifications
Typical crummy modifications included:
- Steel roll cages welded to the frame
- Bench seating with seatbelts for up to 12 passengers
- Rear cargo compartments for chainsaws and fuel
- Roof-mounted amber beacons and floodlights
- Mud flaps and underbody protection for gravel roads
- Winches and tow hooks for vehicle recovery
- Toolboxes mounted in the bed
- Dual batteries for cold starts
- Upgraded suspension for heavy loads
Today, enthusiasts and historians seek out surviving crummys and pickups from this era. Restored vehicles are displayed at forestry museums and vintage truck shows across British Columbia. Some are even used in documentaries and reenactments of logging life.
One collector in Campbell River restored a 1978 Canfor crummy to original condition, complete with company decals and period-correct CB radio. The vehicle now serves as a mobile exhibit, educating visitors about the daily lives of forestry workers.
Conclusion
Crummys and pickups were more than just vehicles—they were lifelines in the remote and demanding world of Pacific Northwest logging. Companies like Canfor, M&B, and B.C.F.P. relied on these machines to keep operations running smoothly and safely. Their legacy lives on in the stories of those who rode in them, repaired them, and now preserve them as symbols of a bygone era of Canadian forestry.
