Marton truckie Robbie Manning built a one-of-a-kind Kenworth K104 motorhome from a well-worn log truck
In the trucking industry, there are drivers who make a lot of noise, and then there are the blokes who quietly build a reputation through hard work, pride in their gear, and the way they treat people. Robert “Robbie” Manning from Marton is one of those men.
He’s the sort of mate who takes the time to check in, share a yarn, and make sure the people around him are doing alright – although at the moment he isn’t. Cancer sucks, which is why his K104 motorhome has become redundant, but more on that shortly.
I first met Robbie around 11 years ago when he started at a job I was working at, and we quickly became good mates. Even though we never got to run the road together, we’ve spent many hours over the years on the phone having a laugh, talking trucks, and catching up on life.
At just 36 years old, Robbie has spent close to 18 years behind the wheel, making a career across many different corners of the New Zealand trucking industry. Over the years he’s driven just about everything – stock trucks, drop-siders, log trucks, freight trucks, linehaul and short haul – and no matter what he was driving, he always brought the same pride and passion to the job.
Because to Robbie, trucking was never just work. It was something he truly loved.
Anyone who has seen one of Robbie’s trucks will know exactly what that means. He was always known for keeping his gear looking sharp – polished up, the chrome shining, and all the bling gleaming bright. Robbie believed every truck deserved to look its best, because as he often says: “A truck is what you make it… every day is a show day. Take pride in your ride”. That attitude sums him up perfectly.
Kenworth K104 motorhome
Right: The open plan layout features a large double bed and big kitchen area
One of the best examples of Robbie’s dedication and passion is his pride and joy – a Kenworth K104 motorhome he built mostly himself. The truck originally started life as a hardworking log truck that had already clocked over 1.8 million kilometres. But where some people might see an old worn-out truck, Robbie saw potential.
Through countless hours of work, determination, and a lot of hands-on effort doing maintenance and rebuilding himself, he has transformed that truck into something special – bringing it back better than new. It’s not just a truck – it’s a reflection of the pride and passion Robbie has always had for the industry.
Helping negotiate those highways and crappy New Zealand backroads is a 600HP Cummins engine that feeds an 18-speed Roadranger, through a 46-160 rear end and eight-bag suspension.
Work carried out on the truck and chassis include:
- Upgraded to air glide 200 (same sway bars as K104-200)
- Twin air ride Isri seats (all OEM parts)
- Front-cab mounts
- Front-cab shocks
- Left-hand rear-cab mount
- Refurbed left-hand cab ram
- New cab tilt pump
- New driveshaft
- Third axle: realign, drums, shoes, bushes – all the good stuff
- New turbocharger
- Twin stacks and intakes
- Air dryer filter
- Three new front springs, pins, bushes
- Left-hand second-axle King Pin
- New head unit and speakers
- Ferry hooks front and back
- Basically, anything that has been needed has been replaced.
Robbie says the truck is a Gold Badge model, which according to some research, signifies a premium, high-spec factory model, often associated with special editions or superior comfort/equipment packages. The badges often highlight premium interior trim, enhanced comfort features, and exclusive branding, marking it as a limited edition or top-tier vehicle.
Onto the all-important living quarters, for those keen on spending some luxury time away from home, they can feel comfortable with a fully certified and up-to-date unit.
Built for spaciousness and not to squeeze in as many people as possible, the open plan layout looks larger than most modern apartments, with a large double bed and big kitchen area with a large fridge/freezer. To help keep warm on winter trips is a wood burner that can take a decent-sized log.
Right: Robbie and Wattie quickly became good friends
The big separate bathroom has been designed for proper-sized Kiwi male and females, with storage capacity for over 300 litres of fresh and grey water.
Along with storage capacity for two nine-kilogram cylinders, offsite power is supplemented by a large solar array.
Significant storage lockers have been built into the vehicle to ensure time spent on the road is as comfortable as possible.
An A-frame allows the owner to hook on a small vehicle to explore or zip along to a favourite fishing spot completes what is a very nice and professionally put together package.
As far as purchase price goes, Robbie hasn’t got a firm figure in mind – but with a generic run of the mill motorhome selling for six figures, a buyer will need to be thinking those numbers to get a unique one-of-a-kind vehicle.
True gentleman
While Robbie’s trucks have always stood out, it’s the man himself that people remember most. Those who know him will tell you he’s a true gentleman – the kind of bloke who would give the shirt off his back to help someone out. His work ethic is second to none, and his enthusiasm for trucking and life in general is something that rubs off on everyone around him.
But to the people who know him, he’s much more than that. He’s an amazing mate, a passionate truck driver, and one of the genuine good blokes of the New Zealand trucking community.
And if you ever saw one of his trucks roll past – polished up with the chrome shining bright – you knew straight away that Robbie Manning was behind it.
For more information, contact Hayley Manning, hje094@hotmail.co.nz.
Images supplied