Monster Trucks: The Science of Extreme Machines

I never thought much about Monster Trucks until I was hired to shoot an episode of Motor mayhem for The Discovery Channel. It didn't take long for me to gain an appreciation for the engineering and technology that is brought to bear on these amazing machines.
This episode was shot at the Las Vegas Silver Bowl Stadium during a spectacular Monster Truck exhibition which included some of the most famous of the Monster Trucks and drivers, including Grave Digger! Regardless of whatever I thought (or didn't think) about Monster Trucks and their creators before I shot this episode, I walked away from this job with a totally different perspective and a newfound appreciation for this fascinating form of entertainment.

[@skaruts]

*Anderson:* _"My driving keeps breaking my truck."_ *Mechanic:* _"Drive more conservatively?"_ *Anderson:* _"No! Make my truck sturdier!"_

[@skaruts]

A driver, a european and an american having a conversation: *Driver:* _"You give me three hundred truckloads of dirt to play in, I'll give you a hell of a show."_ *European:* _"Three hund-- have you gone mad???"_ *American:* _"Hell yeah, that's damn well pretty darn freakin doable! Let's ride!"_

[@ekelundracing1970]

6:46 I really love Grave Digger and Dennis Andersson's past lives, they both is legends kings of Monster Trucks

[@Henners]

The part where it is talking about the trucks evolution and says "the one part that hasn't been outdated through technology is the tires" recently became outdated itself - new monster truck tires have a tread on the side wall too so they can help get grip and correct the truck when it's on the side. That's only the last couple years. Very cool to see where the trucks were at in 2003 and compare to now.

[@StigDesign]

Thank you for the upload, i didnt know there was a video about this on Discovery back then :D i Played Monster Truck Madness 1&2 so much and loved much of the trucks later years i did see some of the show on tv, not so easy in Norway :D Grave digger, Snake Bite, Monster Patrol Samson, so much other had so cool design and yes the detaisl is really cool too on how they can manage to have so much HP and Torque and extreme jumps and smashing hehe :D

[@supertrucky6695]

I don't know how I would be able to be a camera man, security guard, or some one who works at a snack booth at Monster Jam or any major sporting event... I would be fired on the first night for being so detracted I forgot what my job was

[@MonsterAviation]

😂 If I was camera man I would supply footage to make the “glued to the action” statement true.

[@stevendudley5687]

They could make an updated version of this. 2003 was 16 years ago.

[@K-Effect]

They rather show programming about safe places, strange relationships, feelings and how to sell junk

[@AjGalloway95]

Yeah these things are indestructible nowadays

[@AjGalloway95]

Check out hoonigan they did a piece on sonuva digger

[@Matty.Hill_87]

Facts

[@Micahslooseearlobe]

21 lmao

[@TheCamSays]

Thanks a bunch for the upload. Was on YT at one point and then it got taken down. Been looking for it ever since.

[@bejarano1960]

You're welcome. I'm not sure why it might have been taken down, but I present it here as an example of my work for potential future clients. This is the first time that I have posted it on YT.

[@TheCamSays]

Charles Bejarano It ended up getting taken down by Discovery themselves sadly.

[@bejarano1960]

And this one might be removed, as well, although I can't see any reason for them to do so, considering how many years ago that was produced and aired. On the other hand, if they are offering this series as part of a home video collection, I can understand that it might cut into their revenues. Still, I hope that they will respect my desire to represent my work on my KZbin channel. If not, I will accept their decision.

[@VenkCutterman]

For some reason nowadays, when I think of the Grave Digger segment starting at 6:46 and showing the fans talking about Grave Digger at 40:12, I always think Bad to the Bone would be playing in the background

[@davidyoung9335]

Me too

[@buckpotter3184]

I love you History Channel to dig deep about the monster trucks the Motorsports keep up the good work we love to Motorsports thumbs up😊

[@buckpotter3184]

My bad I had too many Budweisers Travel Channel

[@dylanvose8467]

I have been looking for this for years. Thanks for uploading.

[@bejarano1960]

You're welcome.

[@joyoustye2326]

Thanks for uploading! I had this on a VHS as a kid

[@gregorynagy8500]

Interesting story and video. G

[@JesusGarcia-zx4yf]

❤

[@cali115]

RIP Tony Farrell

[@K-Effect]

I remember a while back they were thanking about having the drivers standing up like riding a quad, that way it would be easier on their bodies. There wouldn't be a steering wheel just some handlebars, more set up like a motorcycle seat but in a way where you can't fall out of it. The advantage was you could use your legs when landing a jump instead of relying on your tailbone, spine, neck, important parts

[@jerryr7641]

Cool video

[@antonparks9147]

The creation of the beasts is incredible. I like it. And you know what, that made me really think of doing something. Im going to learn hard of how a monster truck is fully created, so then on for the legendary icon, im going to create the legendary Grave digger #20.👍

[@K-Effect]

Try to make it different, don't do the same old thing they are, there's more than one way to skin a cat, go for it there's no one to stop you but yourself

[@K-Effect]

I got all of those early 80s monster truck magazines somewhere, they were super cool because they had big posters of the trucks inside. I forgot all about that

[@Matty.Hill_87]

Bob chandler might have created monster trucks, but Dennis Anderson made it what it is today

[@jcwalke8142]

thx for posting this.

[@bejarano1960]

You're welcome.

[@jerryr7641]

Good job 👍🏻

[@scottalanclymer]

Drivers can only take so much G force. In addition to the trucks advanced suspension, for the sake of the humans inside them, an advanced suspension must be developed for the drivers within the cage. I drove semis for 24 years. Even that rather docile environment had a air dampened 6-way seat for the driver. We can surely develop something for these monster trucks.

[@notserp1836]

Ah yes, let’s use footage from the 90’s to this year (2003) for this documentary.

[@Roger-hp1yg]

Lol I like Gary porters comment at 5:44 lol

[@NorieHolloway223]

Thanks for this video :'v

[@jwjb9918]

amazing love grave digger wish I could create a rolls Royce from UK called fallen angel to compete against the best

[@tigerguy1013]

Back when monster trucks and monster jam meant something

[@williamseaman176]

31:41 impact!

[@roger1793]

Lyle Hancock is right about the trucks goin higher and so is Dennis Anderson maybe them creating a full computerized show.

[@TheHalloweenGuy666]

He's a smart guy. I wonder where he is now. I hope he's doing alright.

[@salvatoreshurott9475]

17:09 Grave Digger's onboard camera footage in St Louis 1999

[@sixpackkorkman8069]

Awesome !☆!

[@realwildracer28]

That's why they call Dennis anderson. One run anderson

[@Dr.Mcstaby]

in terms of advance power and chassis designs bigfoot is king in terms of advanced durability and shocks gravedigger and maximum destruction are the kings

[@coreymartinez3836]

I rather be the man behind a the wheel than have a machine do it for me haha

[@michael61985]

Just a old monster Jam documentary

[@joejones8810]

@[32:22] Watch how the driver prematurely pulls the steering wheel and fully exposes the drive shaft to her open face.

[@elleryparsons5766]

Are All tire Patterns the Same on All Monster Trucks?

[@bejarano1960]

That's an interesting question that I can't answer. I shot many close-ups of the trucks but never paid much attention to the tread patterns of the tires.

[@elleryparsons5766]

What I meant to say can you give Your tire to A competitor that has no Spare tire?

[@bejarano1960]

@@elleryparsons5766 I think your question may be about compatibility. Is it possible to mount a wheel from one truck on to any other truck? Assuming that the diameter of the wheel, and the bolt pattern are the same, I see no reason why it couldn't be done. Keep in mind that each team will usually have at least one complete extra set of tires for their truck so it is unlikely that they would ever need to borrow a tire from a competitor. I hope I have interpreted your question correctly.

[@elleryparsons5766]

@@bejarano1960 yeah that.

[@elleryparsons5766]

Thank you.

[@chriswilliamsboy1007]

Me too

[@amysmith9839]

Let me guess 2003 video