Business

Overdrive Radio

Regulated rates, wildcatting, deregulation: A brief history of U.S. trucking

A special tour through the rise of the owner-operator in exempt agricultural markets from the 1930s, to wildcatting later, deregulation later still -- and this cabover monument to one owner's heritage.

January 22, 2021

The 1978 Peterbilt 352 was a model who in earlier years had been driven by Bowerman's father, who passed several years earlier. This one, purchased from a prior owner in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has origins in Illinois, Bowerman said, and is powered by a Cat 3406A run through a 15-speed transmission, 190-inch wheelbase.

Buttigieg talks trucking regs in Senate hearing

Pete Buttigieg, President Joe Biden’s pick for Transportation Secretary, testified Thursday morning in front of a smattering of Senators as the first step in the Senate’s role in confirming him as part of Biden’s Cabinet.

January 21, 2021

Biden administration freezes regs for review

What are owner-ops' income expectations for 2021?

January 21, 2021

Biz Income Poll

Trucking's exemption from Calif. break laws upheld

A high-level court has sided with the U.S. DOT in exempting trucking companies from California's meal and rest breaks laws. And other news: No enforcement delay yet for Canadian ELD. New Love's in Indiana. More 'book it now' freight options.

January 19, 2021

Flatbed Truck On Highway Lane Restriction

Analysts optimistic on trucking after chaotic year

2020’s strong second half and prospects for continued high freight demand bode well into 2022, FTR says. However, several factors will affect the timing and intensity of further recovery.

January 18, 2021

Overdrive Radio

Beware: Human smugglers luring truckers along the border

In this week's Overdrive Radio podcast, Chief Matthew Hudak of the Laredo section of the U.S. Border Patrol emphasizes how professional drivers can help combat a sharp uptick in human smuggling/trafficking via tractor-trailers.

January 15, 2021

X-ray imaging caught this reefer filled with 150 people bound for the U.S. interior from the border zone near Laredo as the new year turned just a couple weeks ago. It's part of an uptick of such busts U.S. Border Patrol is asking the trucking community for information about. Find contact information for the Laredo sector office of the border patrol via this link.

Here are the drivers on FMCSA's new advisory panel

The new panel will provide feedback to FMCSA on issues of safety, hours regulations, training, parking, and more. And other news: New front air suspension available for W990; Melton doubles tarp pay; construction on I-11 in Henderson, Nevada.

January 15, 2021

Optional AG130 front air suspension available for W990 | The Kenworth W990 is now available with a front air suspension rated at 13,200 pounds. The manufacturer's proprietary AG130 front air suspension is also available for the Kenworth T680 and T880. Kenworth’s family of proprietary suspensions includes the AG380, AG400, AG400L, AG460 and AG690 rear suspensions for Class 8 models.

FMCSA proposes new split sleeper pilot program

FMCSA is proposing a pilot program to study 5/5 and 6/4 options for drivers to split their sleeper berth time. And other news: The agency's inflation-adjusted fines for regs violations; Be wary of increased traffic, delays in D.C. next week.

January 14, 2021

Partners in Business

Compete with cut-rate carriers by ‘hauling value,’ knowing your numbers, calculating decisions

Owner-operator trucking business coaches Kevin Rutherford and Gary Buchs also discussed cost-cutting, key numbers, buying new v. used and more in this session.

August 26, 2020

Owner-operator coaches Kevin Rutherford, left, and Gary Buchs answered questions on a variety of business topics in Overdrive’s Partners in Business webinar.

After weakened demand in 2020, diesel prices jump back to pre-pandemic levels

The Department of Energy projects fuel prices will stay flat in 2021, while others believe retail diesel prices will continue to climb above and beyond $3 a gallon through the year.

January 12, 2021

Fuel Fueling Truck Stop

SBA auditing truckers' insurance in wake of pandemic disaster loans: Two owners' stories

If you're one of the untold number of owner-operators who took an SBA disaster loan in the spring of 2020, last month you may well have been contacted to verify insurance -- how two operators dealt with it (one smoothly, one not so much).

January 12, 2021

Lance Buttermore's 2015 Kenworth T680 and leased step deck

Protect yourself against questionable brokers

Here are important things to know to protect your interests in dealing with brokers or freight forwarders who are unable or unwilling to pay.

January 11, 2021

The carrier should ensure its name is shown on the bill of lading to help establish entitlement to payment from the shipper in the event of a problem with the broker.

Mexico-based trucker shut down following crash, failed drug test

FMCSA has effectively shut down a Mexico-licensed trucker after a crash in Georgia, a failed drug screening and HOS violations. And other news: TCA unveils its 2021 Best Fleets to Drive For top 20; Love's opens seven new Speedco locations.

January 8, 2021

Trucking trends to watch in 2021: Speed limiters, insurance regs and more

What's on deck for trucking in 2021? Potentially, revival of regs like speed limiters and new mandatory insurance minimums. Also, the freight recovery rolls on -- but for how long? Those issues and other trends to watch in 2021...

January 8, 2021

Speed Limiter Speeding

Welcome to the new Overdrive

We have unveiled a completely new look at OverdriveOnline.com to enhance your user experience and launched a comprehensive redesign of the Overdrive daily email newsletter and the weekend edition newsletter.

January 7, 2021

newoverdrive-2021-01-07-13-26

DOT Secretary Chao resigns, citing ‘troubling’ events at U.S. Capitol

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who has been part of President Trump’s cabinet since his first weeks in office, will resign in wake of the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

January 7, 2021

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced Thursday she would is resigning her position in President Trump's Cabinet.

FMCSA: DOT physicals still authorized for drivers with expired CDLs

An FMCSA notice to certified medical examiners says drivers with expired CDLs can still receive a DOT physical for their medical certificate. And other news: Bison Transport is under new ownership; a Canadian trucker received a Carnegie Medal for helping at an accident scene; I-515 lane closures in Vegas.

January 7, 2021

Managing health care expenses can be daunting for an independent contractor when there are so many choices to consider: health savings accounts, discounted insurance through the Affordable Care Act and marketplaces that specialize in owner-operators.

Overdrive Radio

Trucking with authority and other reasons ‘Why we drive’ — OTR rewind No. 2

In this Overdrive Radio podcast, an update on the last couple of years' push toward one featured trucker's new authority as an owner-operator, and much more.

January 7, 2021

Meet Kenyette Godhigh-Bell, shown here behind the wheel of her 2017 Freightliner Cascadia — you heard that right — Godhigh-Bell is a company driver no more.

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The 1978 Peterbilt 352 was a model who in earlier years had been driven by Bowerman's father, who passed several years earlier. This one, purchased from a prior owner in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has origins in Illinois, Bowerman said, and is powered by a Cat 3406A run through a 15-speed transmission, 190-inch wheelbase.

Regulated rates, wildcatting, deregulation: A brief history of U.S. trucking

A special tour through the rise of the owner-operator in exempt agricultural markets from the 1930s, to wildcatting later, deregulation later still -- and this cabover monument to one owner's heritage.

Jimmy Valdez Horiz

Truckers struggle with their lingering COVID symptoms

Owner-operator Zach Beadle -- find more pictures from the photo shoot at the Thigpen Ranch from 2016 at this link.

Highway hack: High value in a 'parts truck'

Analysts optimistic on trucking after chaotic year

“Wreck on the Mountain Road” is about the death of a trucker on Bent Mountain, just southwest of Roanoke, Virginia.

Fatal wreck remembered in first recorded trucking song

Regulated rates, wildcatting, deregulation: A brief history of U.S. trucking

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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 2021 edition of Partners in Business.

Partners in Business Issue Cover