TransCore: July spot freight continues trend

Aug 14, 2011

TransCore announced its North American Freight Index in July marked the seventh consecutive month of record year-over-year spot market freight availability. The index, a measurement of spot market truckload freight volume, increased 22 percent compared to July 2010.

Compared to June, however, July freight volume declined 24 percent following typical seasonal patterns. Over the prior 10 years, July load volumes have declined an average 19 percent on a month-over-month basis.

July’s seasonal shift in spot market freight volume was reflected in truckload rates, which slipped for vans and refrigerated but remained stable for flatbeds. For dry vans, the national average rate, excluding fuel surcharges, slid 3.6 percent compared to June while remaining flat compared to July 2010.

Reefer van rates were down 9.4 percent month-over-month and 0.6 percent year-over-year. Flatbed rates were stable compared to June but were up 11 percent year-over-year.

Analysts optimistic on trucking after chaotic year

January 18, 2021

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.

“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

The trucker cap in teacher Amy Watson’s selfie from the day she was tested for COVID-19 later inspired her choice of “long-haulers” to describe COVID survivors with persistent symptoms. “My school’s mascot is a squirrel,” she said, which she finds appropriate, given that her pre-school students, with their short bursts of activity, are “very squirrel-like.”

Trucking’s bit part in the 'COVID long-haulers’ name

Small-fleet owner Jesse McGinness was going for originality with the look of this 2021 Peterbilt 389, spec'ing the black Alcoa rims from the factory. After his maiden voyage in a Class 8 tractor years ago, in a Peterbilt 379, he fell in love with the classic square-hood series. He plans to modify the stacks, the grille and more to all-black finish -- committing sacrilege, says the operator who took him on that first 379 run. McGinness'll maintain plenty in chrome/stainless accents, not to worry. The flattop with lift-axle is powered by the X15 Cummins at 605 hp, with an 18-speed transmission. 'I wanted this truck to be a truck that I thought was cool,' McGinness said, in addition to doing the tough over-dimensional/heavy hauling he'll require of it.

'WTF' stresses service for long-term success

The glider market grew from a few hundred sales a year in 2010 to upwards of 10,000 as recently as 2017. Gliders sported pre-emissions-regs engines -- no exhaust gas recirculation or selective catalytic reduction components and, thus, no need for DEF. With simpler technology and refurbished engines, the products were much cheaper than new trucks with new engines, making them attractive buys for small-business truckers.

Glider kit market hits fatal nosedive with latest emissions regs

Beware: Human smugglers luring truckers along the border

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