Lonnie Tegeler (Raymond’s son & Herman’s grandson) had for many years considered the idea of converting the farm wagon into a working chuck wagon and in 2002 Lonnie and his nephew Craig Stickley (Raymond’s grandson & Herman’s great-grandson) undertook a project of restoring the wagon and converting it into a chuck wagon. Due to the fact that the wagon had remained dry and protected from the weather, the wheels, running gear and sideboards were in excellent shape. The wagon floor was replaced with 1” tongue and grooved red oak wood and a chuck box and boot was constructed from lumber found on the family farm & ranch. Care was taken to preserve the authenticity of the wagon and all additions and changes to the wagon were completed using only those materials that were available during the late 19th century. With the addition of the bows, wagon cover and cook fly, the wagon was completed and made its debut in December 2002 for the 3rd birthday of Rankin Tegeler White (Lonnie’s grandson) now the fifth generation of the family to enjoy use of the wagon.

 The wagon is now used for many Tegeler family events, community and civic club events and participates in competitive chuck wagon cooking events. Only members of the Tegeler family serve as members of the wagon crew and cooking team.

 In March 2004, the Rocking T Chuck Wagon was the center point of attention at the George Bush Presidential Library, where a cowboy camp was set up on the mall of the library grounds to celebrate the annual Texas Independence Day. Hundreds of school children saw for the first time a working chuck wagon and learned the history of the Texas cattle drives.

 In March 2004, The Rocking T Chuck Wagon competed for the first time, in the Star of Texas Chuck Wagon Cook-Off in Austin, Texas, and winning several events. During 2004 & 2005 the Rocking T Chuck Wagon competed in chuck wagon events throughout Texas and New Mexico including Austin, Mineral Wells, Lubbock, Tioga, Gladewater and Fort Worth, Texas. During the October 2005 Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico, the Food Network produced a television special which is now being aired on the Food Network. Barbara can be seen defending her champion apricot cobbler while Lonnie and other family members are also featured in the special.