Five Years on the Road With Harpreet Kang

Harpreet Kang, one of our P&D Owner Operators in Surrey, recently reached his five-year milestone with Van Kam. He has been in trucking for nearly 20 years, and he carries that experience with a relaxed, down-to-earth approach. He talked with us about his time here, what brought him in, and what has kept him with our team.

A Weekend Door Back Into Van Kam

Harpreet first applied online for a seasonal driving role, but months went by without a call. He moved on to other work and settled into a full-time routine. Then his phone rang with an offer to work weekends with us. “I told them I already had a full-time job, but I still wanted to work with Van Kam, even if it was weekends,” he says. He took the weekend shifts right away and got to work.

Not long after, another opportunity opened. “Within a month, they had an opening for owner operator,” he says. “I asked if I could join full-time, and they said yes.” That move brought him into the role he holds today.

A Long History on the Road

Harpreet has been in trucking for close to two decades, and he still enjoys the work. “Next year will be twenty years!” Harpreet says happily. His experience shows in how comfortable he is with different types of freight runs, whether it is P&D, LTL, or whatever the day brings.

He also shared a bit about his earlier time with the company. “I worked with Van Kam back in 2008 for about a year, doing weekend driving at the time,” he recalls. Even after all these years, he still talks about those early shifts with a calm confidence that comes from doing the work for a long time.

Respect Moves Freight Too

Harpreet talks about respect above all else. He has seen how drivers are treated in many places on the road, and he notices the difference here. “Drivers just need respect,” he said. “When a company gives you respect, you work more. You give more.” He appreciates being treated fairly and being spoken to with patience, and he says it motivates him to bring his best every day.

He also values how communication occurs during his shifts. “They trust you,” he said. “They give you the work and let you do it.” For him, that trust makes the day smoother, and it makes the job feel good to come to.

Rooted in His Backyard

Harpreet spends a lot of his free time tending to his backyard garden. “I grow vegetables,” he said. “Spinach, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and I have an apple tree.” He recently planted garlic and smiled about how long it takes. “Three months,” he said. “Then I plant again in April.” He enjoys watching his plants grow through the season and likes knowing he can pick fresh food from his own yard.

He enjoys time with his family as well, and taking them out for long drives. When he wants to unwind, he scrolls through social media. “Not an influencer,” he joked. “But I watch a lot. If I had cameras, I would show a day in the life of a trucker.”

Advice From Someone Who Knows the Road

Harpreet keeps his guidance simple. He says new drivers should be honest about their work, their timing, and what they can handle. “Be honest,” he said, explaining that being transparent and upfront makes the day smoother for everyone. He believes honesty and respect matter just as much as driving skill.

He encourages new drivers to put in the effort and treat people well. “If they respect you, you respect them,” he said. For him, that mindset has shaped the way he works and how he carries himself in the industry.

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