Get an APU

Jul 8, 2013

Updated Sep 6, 2013

“Thermo King Tri Pac helped me save thousands on fuel; not to mention the hours on the main [engine]. It’s the best $11,000 I’ve ever spent, and I don’t want another truck without one.”

Cody Blankenship
Owner-operator, 4B Transportation LLC

Just how high has owner-ops' truck-trailer maintenance cost moved?

According to ATBS, in 2025 owner-operators spent upward of $14,000 on average. That's 15 cents of maintenance for every single mile run. What's your set-aside for truck and trailer upkeep? If you haven’t boosted the number in a while, there's no time like the present.

The 2007 379 is powered by a Caterpillar C15 Acert, with a 13-speed automated manual transmission and 3.08 rears.

Meeting a namesake: Dills Transportation's hand-throttle '07 Pete cleaned up in first show

'We have just bought a truck and are trying to get insurance to get it home and the company we were going to use will not accept a Canadian CDL for insurance purposes although FMCSA says Canadian and Mexican licenses are reciprocal,' the Bakers said.

Chaotic DMV ICE raid, 'BS' Canadian CDLs: FMCSA's non-domiciled ban, one month later

Like-original '76 Peterbilt COE stands proud, bingo plate and all

DataQs reform: FMCSA bans issuing-officer decisions on challenges, puts rules on states

Just how high has owner-ops' truck-trailer maintenance cost moved?

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The Business Manual for Owner-Operators

Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the Partners in Business playbook.

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