Meet Erik Nilsson - with a passion for both trucks and life on the road
We took the opportunity to meet Erik Nilsson when he was passing through between Kungälv and Jönköping, and turned off at Viaredsmotet in Borås. Over lunch at Bruket, we had a chat about life since he took over the factory-built Volvo after the Elmia fair last year.
The transformation
Back then, a well-polished white Volvo rolled out of the exhibition grounds - today it is barely recognizable. Still spotless, but now painted with a portrait of Sitting Bull on the passenger side and Erik's daughter on horseback on the driver's side. The rest of the car is painted in blue and red - the company's colors - with the logo neatly placed on the skirts. How did it come to this?
- I had the idea of Sitting Bull for a long time. On my last car it was Clint Eastwood,
and I felt that Sitting Bull could probably be the next one, but that it then became "chick" on the other side was not really the idea - but it happened. I realized it there and then," says Erik.
A car with a history - and a future
The choice of color is no coincidence. Red and blue have been the haulier's colors since the start in 1937. Erik has been driving for Wiking Lantz Åkeri since the turn of the millennium and he really enjoys the job.
- It's not exactly a seven-to-four job. You have to be flexible and have an understanding family. "But they're used to it. And my wife is traveling a lot, so we have to give and take and adapt to each other's work."
The car was actually bought quite spontaneously during Elmia, something Erik attributes to his colleague and boss Martin:
- "He probably made more or less a spontaneous purchase during the fair, when we saw the car with all the equipment. And then he probably got a good fair offer. It turned out really well in the end."
A day that is never the same
What is your working day like? - "It never quite turns out the way you expect. Like yesterday when I finished the day's work, and got a call to pick up an asphalt paver, but it turned out to be too wide. I ended up screwing it on for three hours and after some help lifting all the stuff into place, I was able to get it in."
But that doesn't bother him - quite the opposite.
- "I love screwing! That's what makes this job fun. You get to be both a driver and a mechanic."
It is this combination that Erik enjoys and which is fun. What he can't do himself, he enlists the help of his friend Tobbe: "He's indispensable when it comes to electricity and hydraulics. He's worth his weight in gold." The same goes for Volvo at home: "I have a few people there who you can call and who are always willing to help."
Fertilizer, snow and snow groomers
A large part of Erik's job is to transport fertilizer to farmers in Dalsland and at home in Värmland.
You have to be flexible and keep your cool, because you have to adapt to the season, the weather, the wind and other people's work schedules.
- "If it rains, you have to change your schedule - but no worse than that".
In addition to truck driving, Erik clears snow in the winter and drives a snow groomer in Frystabacken. "Snow grooming is fun, when you see all the kids on the slopes - how much fun they have. At the beginning of the season they spend all their free time on the slopes. It's really fun."
And as if work wasn't enough, there's a horse and some forest to look after at home.
- "Then I get to move around a bit more, so my body gets tired too - for real," says Erik with a laugh.
Thank you!
Many thanks, Erik, for taking the time - and for letting us see the pride of "Rudstorp City".
PS. If you also want to see the pride of "Rudstorp City" in reality, then you are welcome to visit our stand at the Trailer Trucking Festival at Mantorp Park on August 22-23, 2025.
Practical products on Erik's car
Erik's car is equipped with many practical and exciting products that you might not think of when you first see it.
ApTur M Cabinet Behind Cab
Behind the cab is an ApTur M - a Cabinet Behind Cab with good storage on either side of the hydraulic tank, which is hidden behind a cover plate in the middle. In the standing cabinets, Erik has hanging storage of air and electrical couplings for different needs depending on the trailer. The coupling plate, which is easy to adapt to the driver's needs, is located at the top of the cabinet. Then Erik has made a special solution for one of his own trailers, so he has added couplings on top of the cabinet.
ApCat Catwalk
To make it easy to work with the trailer connections, there is a climbing handle on the cabinet, and there is good work lighting on the top of the cabinet. The vehicle is also equipped with an aluminum ApCat Catwalk with gull-wing opening, for easy refueling and access to storage. At the rear of the chassis is a frame end behind the turntable, to give the car a neat overall impression. The walkway and frame end are painted in the company's blue color.
Lightbar
At the top of the cab there is a lightbar with additional work lights, flashing lights, reversing camera and tail lights.
Integration box
Behind the car's side skirts hides an AP Integration box.
- "That's where I keep tools and everything you need when you're out and about. It can be a bit of a hassle sometimes when you have to get stuff, so some oil and tools are good to have with you."
Mudguard wedge
Mudguard wedge with cover between fender. Then you can easily change the screen tops.
- "Right now I have the everyday screens on the car because many trailers 'eat screens'. I have the real screen tops with me to Mantorp."
Decorative strips Arne
The stainless steel decorative strips are recessed in the notches of the fender tops, to give an extra top finish to the car.
Lamp box
At the back of the vehicle we have Super Premium lamp boxes.
Wide load sign
At the front of the cab there is a wide load sign that complies with the Swedish Transport Agency's latest regulations on all points.
