Driven Hwy 285 lately? Noticed the steady procession of non-descript tractor-trailer trucks in both directions? Over the last few weeks, we’ve had the dubious pleasure of driving to Denver numerous times for a variety of work-related missions. Usually we take in the grandeur of South Park and our still snowy mountain passes, while dodging herds of elk, deer and even antelope whose homeland we dare to trespass at dawn and dusk.
Noticeable though have been a caravan of certain 18-wheelers. The tractors vary in make and model and the cabs are lettered “Eco Express”, sometimes blue on white and other times, blue on black. The trailers however are subtly distinctive and uniform. Approaching them in profile, one sees a slight “bread loaf” curve to the rig, while the rear features a significant tapered slope, widening at the tail. The trailer’s grey sides have protruding vertical ribs and the rear carries a large blank metal plate – no markings there at all, where normally a large, multi-colored logo would boast of the contents.
We have counted as many as a dozen in a single passing of South Park. Many are seen on Trout Creek Pass and Red Hill and on through the Park but others seen as far north as Conifer. One was just spotted on Hwy 50 at G Street – perhaps in search of a decent coffee at Sacred Ground or merely a replacement tire? What does it all mean?
At first we suspected this might bear the hand of Nestle Waters, but these are not tanker trucks and that project does not yet (fortunately) appear to be complete. Perhaps these carriers are destined for a secret Area-51-like military base beneath the ground near the Four Corners area? (For many years, the rich lore of our neighbors in the San Luis Valley)
Despite repetitive searches on Google, the only close hit there returned a start-up “eco-friendly” logistics and trucking firm, trolling the ports of the East Coast from NJ. Next time, we’re sure to pull over behind one catching forty winks on Red Hill Pass and see if the driver will give it up.
Readers? Any clues? Is this a portent of what we can expect with Nestle?
Merrell,
Eco Express appears to a long haul carrier affiliated with a group of trucking companies in Bridgeview, IL. According to the Secretary of State, they have been doing business in Colorado since April of last year. As to what they are carrying, let us know when you ask!
Jay
There is something else about the trailers.. they have 4 axles for carring heavy loads. What could possibly be that heavy, that would need 4 axles. Also they usually travel in pairs. Is the government moving something??
They are hauling barley to Coors in Golden. The tri-axle on the back of the trailer is a patented design by the owner of Eco -Express, it helps make backing the trucks easier because they pivot slightly. This info comes to me from a CSP officer who pulled one over.
Thanks to all who responded and especially to John for solving the riddle. Maybe that means that the economy is on the rebound – more barley makes more beer!
I believe your answer about hauling the barley but Ive been living around 285 for the past 8 years and JUST noticed these trucks in the past 4 months. How did I miss them for so many years? Why are they just now running barley down 285?
It is my understanding that the trucking company is new to Colorado. Barley contracts for Coors used to go to the lucky farmer that had his crop pass muster, then they were rewarded with more than the going price. I’m not sure how they hand out contracts goes now because my family isn’t growing barley anymore, but eco express hauls alot of barley.
They haul barley and other grain materials to Coors from a couple of Colorado locations, Monte Vista and Pueblo. From Burley,Idaho
also. 110,000 pounds gross weight of rig and load, so therefore the
quad axles on the trailer. Good, hardworking people who help bring you the barley pop.
We have been seeing these trucks as well thoughout the year and maybe longer. But what we have been noticing is that there is a RADIOACTIVE tag on rear of these trucks… So not sure how accurate the barley thing is. I have seen the blue and also see many red rigs as well, and the red ones have all had the radioactive tags. I have many times thought of taking a photo of the side and rear of the truck with all of this info from above, and send it in to a news agency to see what they can dig up. I still have yet to find anything on the net, and it seems very suspect. Just sayin’. I will definately be taking a photo the next chance I get and send it in.
I reckon Eco Express will haul whatever. A trucker friend of mine was hauling low level radioactive dirt from Telluride for the past year, but that contract is about up. My friend was not working for Eco Express.
I have been doing some road work on 285 near Bailey this week and finally got one of the Eco Express drivers to reply on the CB radio. He said they are indeed hauling barley from Monte Vista up to Coors in Golden. I didn’t notice any HazMat placard, but maybe that’s what gives Banquet Beer that delicious flavor. So unless this guy was B.S.ing me, nothing toxic in there. Tell you one thing, though, I wouldn’t want to be hauling 110K up and down the hills on 285.
I talked to one of the Eco Express drivers in Saguache today and he confirmed that he was hauling barley to Coors.
I had a friend who drove for them…They are indeed hauling barley. They also have a contract with Coors for delivering the beer to various places. However, if you are looking for work, do not go there…it seems, after watching the company for several months, that they are going under slowly. Probably due to the fact that their dispatcher has no clue what he is doing and makes the drivers do his job. Their lack of communication and care about their drivers is unbelievable!
I drive for Eco Express and they are a good company. They are not going under. As a matter of fact, they have just purchased new trucks. The dispatcher does his job very well and does not make the drivers do his job. That is funny about with regard to the above post from “just me.” If that was true from what you posted the dispatcher and company would be under. You sound like one of the drivers that is not doing his job:)))
im here to say that eco-express is indeed hauling barley from the san louis valley to coors in golden,the comments about one of there dispatches being out of control is dead on,he drinks in the office and likes to provoke some of the drivers calls them vulger names,this company is headed for trouble,one week that i know of they bounced 5 payroll checks,they have stranded dozens of drivers cause they can’t get fuel,i could go on and on,but you get it
Response to the comment above. Mike ., I drive for Eco Express, and indeed the dispatcher does not drink in the office. (you misused the word “dispatcher” and the word “there” in your post above. Mike-please check your grammer– I think you are drinking. The company has not stranded drivers. You are not driving for this company and you have a personal dislike for Eco Express as your post clearly indicates. Grow up. This conversation started with the subject line on what Eco Express is hauling and a very nice story. Then people like yourself have to turn this story subject into something that is ugly. If you don’t have anything nice to say, dont say it. Do you get it? Eco Express is doing great and your just upset because you don’t drive any longer for Eco Express. Why don’t you post the reason why you don’t drive for Eco Express and what you had done. We would like to read this information as well.
Big Al
so i missed the r ,kinda petty on your part,i don’t drive for this troubled company for one good reason,i wouldn’t falsify my log books and i know plenty of past drivers that would agree with me,the dispatcher does indeed drink in the office and provokes drivers try’n to make them take a swing,one of these days hes going to say something to the right person and he’ll get knocked on his ass.Im glad you’re happy driving for them,its just a matter of time before you realize what there all about.
Mike-is correct about ECO wanting their drivers to falsify their log books. A friend of mine worked for them right up until he told them no on the log book issue. One of the bosses even put damaging items on my friend’s DAC report. He is having a hard time finding a job.