YELLOW BOX TRUCKS

 

Box trucks are as much a part of the city as any mode of transport. Ideally designed for congestion and narrow alley loading docks. Some of the most iconic are yellow colored trucks, often without a name or logo on the side.

They conjure a certain mystery as to origin, intent and what they carry. There found parked most anywhere, adding to that mystique. Some of these trucks are 20 years old, usually linked by GMC or Ford chassis. They often play parts in movies such as The Pocket or crime sagas.

The moving industry was the first to invent and use the box truck. It sprang from the habit of apartment dwellers stacking their belongings on top of each other before a move. The box truck configuration a perfect fit for such moves. 

The yellow trucks you find about are often linked to the history of Yellow Trucking. Originally formed in 1929, by the owner of Yellow Cabs. It grew from one truck to become the largest trucking firm in the US with 22,000 trucks, 600 loading docks and 35,000 employees. Sadly Yellow Truck met it’s demise in 2023, driven into bankruptcy by over expansion and competition from non union truckers. 

Some of the Yellow Box trucks sprung from this company, others from cast offs of companies like Hertz. All this history still leaves you wondering what these iconic trucks are doing today. Maybe like so many, just serving the city…