Truckers, 'Guilty by Association,' gather in Joplin

Sept. 23, 2016
JOPLIN, MO. Trucks, trucks everywhere: They're parked tight on the tarmac and even wedged into a couple of fields adjacent to the 4 State Trucks facility just off I-44 here. And they just keep coming.

JOPLIN, MO. Trucks, trucks everywhere: They're parked tight on the tarmac and even wedged into a couple of fields adjacent to the 4 State Trucks facility just off I-44 here. And they just keep coming. Nearly 500 were preregistered for this year's Guilty By Association Truck Show.

GBATS is as much a trucking family reunion as it is a truck show, and the "truck show" part is more about just showing up and having fun than it is making sure your truck is spotless—but plenty of truckers seem to think polishing chrome in 90-plus temperatures is a good time. It takes all kinds, and they're all at GBATS.

(All photos by Kevin Jones/American Trucker)

About the Author

Kevin Jones | Editor

Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.

Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

The Road Ahead: 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights

Discover how fleet operators are impacted by challenges like driver onboarding delays and complex compliance, and the critical need for technology to boost efficiency and cut ...

Driving Growth: How to Manage More Freight

Ready to grow your trucking business? Whether you have 25 or 200 trucks, this guide offers practical tips and success stories to help you expand with confidence. Discover how ...

How to Maximize Fleet Management with Vehicle Bypass

Join us on February 18th to learn how truck weigh station bypass systems boost fleet performance and driver satisfaction.

Optimizing your fleet safety program using AI

Learn how AI supports fleet safety programs with tools for compliance monitoring, driver coaching and incident analysis to reduce risks and improve efficiency.