Women in Trucking: Helen Gault – recreational truck driver

We’ve talked with many women in trucking: service mechanics, small business owners, farmers and women who have made it to the top in positions such as Dealer Principals and Warehouse Managers.

There’s trucking for a job, and then there’s trucking for pleasure; and as the roads and campgrounds have shown us, recreational trucking is increasing.

After her job in accommodation management finished up at the beautiful Scenic Rim in Queensland in 2022, Helen Gault went all in for a life of adventure on the road, purchasing a light-duty truck affectionately named 'Old Girl' with her husband Greg, so that they could tow their dream caravan.

We had a few questions for Helen and how she began her next phase of life as a ‘light truckie’ for leisure.

How did you start off driving a truck and why did you choose one over a ute or car?

My husband and I were often caravanning and camping for fun with our 4WD and caravan in tow. We were on a road trip interstate when the lockdowns were announced back in 2020 so we had to rush back to Southern Queensland.

After a stint managing motels and caravan parks in Queensland’s Scenic Rim we decided to retire completely and hit the road again. This time, we were aware of towing limits, and it was clear that car dealerships were not forthcoming about the Gross Combined Mass of their vehicles and if they could safely and legally tow a caravan.

We had safety in mind and wanted something that put this first, so we purchased a truck, which is how I came to be driving my first truck after retirement.

What's it like compared to driving a car?

I love driving trucks, I just love it.

Driving a truck is really enjoyable, sometimes I feel like it’s easier than driving a car. People come up to me and go, "Oh, how can you drive something so big?" But if I knew truck driving was this fun, I would have done it sooner!

The visibility is fantastic driving a truck compared to driving a car, and the safety features that they have on this Isuzu truck make it easy and make me feel confident when I am in it.

We were in Stanthorpe in Queensland on one of our recent trips. The scenery out there is beautiful, you can be driving along flat plains stretching out as far as you can see, then you will have striking rock formations, with little things changing as you go.

It’s just amazing, and it’s a view that’s only improved from being in the driver's seat of a truck.

Tell us about ‘Old Girl’ - why does she suit you?

The largest vehicle I was driving before my Isuzu NPR were 4WDs, so I have had experience with vehicles bigger than a passenger car but not as big as a light truck.

I was surprised that so many things were easier in a truck than in a 4WD. Reversing the truck and caravan is easier.

The fridge in the back is a godsend, and we've had the solar power system set up so we're very self-sufficient and we wouldn’t be able to manage that with a 4WD. We can pull up wherever we want to pull up, and that's fine.

The other day when we parked the truck, a fellow who worked at the transport department came over and spoke to us, and he said, "Oh, I love your truck outfit."

He picked our brains for a while and was really impressed; Old Girl gets a lot of positive comments.

The thing people are most interested in is the GVM and the GCM and how much it can tow. We had friends purchase a light-duty truck with a short wheelbase for towing after they saw Old Girl.

What advice do you have for anyone who may have reservations about driving a truck?

Go for it and get in the driver’s seat!

I’ve always just jumped in and been confident to drive anything, so driving a truck doesn’t faze me in the slightest.

It’s so safe you don’t even really notice the caravan attached to the back. It doesn’t sway while you are driving like a 4WD does because it’s a much more stable set up.

What's the best thing about owning a truck?

The experience of driving through Australia and being on the open road or in beautiful campgrounds is really enhanced through driving our Old Girl.

There’s just a lot going for it: the set-up we’ve been able to put on the back and the peace of mind when it comes to towing, comfort and visibility of the cab, and then the automated safety features like the lane departure warning have been reassuring.

Owning and driving a truck has been a fantastic experience all-round from my point of view.

Keen for more Women in Trucking stories? Check out our chat with Leandra Gale Dealer Principal about growing up with trucks and working her way up through the ranks.