Eastern Iowa family to star in TLC's 'Heavy Haulers'

Up until Thursday night, the only audience the Jeremy Patterson Moving Company ever had were the other Eastern Iowans stuck in traffic while Patterson and company hauled historic buildings at a snail's pace.

But at 9 p.m. Thursday, the family-run business will have a national audience on The Learning Channel. Patterson, his wife Tanya, his 12-year-old son Greg and 9-year-old daughter Ashley will be the stars of a reality-TV pilot called “Heavy Haulers.”

The show will come on just “American Chopper,” and TLC officials hope that the story of a family with larger than life jobs, and personalities to match, will result enough viewers to turn the life and work of the Patterson family into a full-fledged series.

Jeremy Patterson hopes that the pilot (and potential series) will highlight more than just the drama of living with your coworkers.

“I think it will show how independent Iowa people are,” Patterson said. “I've been around the country but I still think Iowa is one of the best states in America… people here are so friendly and community is so important… I think we can show viewers just how special a place it is.”

Patterson also hopes not just to promote his own business, but the trade of structure movers. You can't overlook the importance of preserving historic structures.

“Once you tear it down, you never get it back,” Patterson said. It also has economic benefits too.

“For every house or structure we move, all of a sudden you need a plumber, an electrician, a carpenter,” Patterson said. “The more people see how important preservation is, the more people are employed… it's an economic boom.”