Equipment

POLL: Disc v. drum brakes -- what are you running?

Air disc brakes have made big inroads in over-the-road operations over the years. This poll question asks owner-operators and small fleet owners just which combination of the two are on your trucks and trailers. Weigh in via the poll

March 5, 2021

Sergeant David Mills Inspecting Brakes

CSA's Data Trail

The toughest 15 states for lights violations, one of the 2021 Roadcheck emphases

Here are the top 15 states when it comes to a propensity to issue lights-related violations. And data also point to both 2021 Roadcheck enforcement-emphasis areas in Georgia, Vermont and Nevada.

March 4, 2021

Dustbusters' 1980 Kenworth W900A tractor custom-restored with a roll-back body

Owner-operator and mechanic Martin Herman of Evanston, Wyoming, he said, was fortunate to be involved in this months-long project with the company he pulls tank doubles for with his own 1970 Kenworth.

March 3, 2021

The team on the build.

As small-fleet owners face charges, confusion ensnares popular ELD

An NTSB report has also ensnared a popular ELD, though experts argue that investigators are unclear on the AOBRD- vs. ELD-spec. Also, Navistar shareholders have approved the sale of the company to Volkswagen's Traton group.

March 3, 2021

Ntsb Newhampshire Motorcycle Crash

Overdrive Extra

Dealing with diesel aftertreatment demons

Let’s talk about emissions maintenance – the demons howl at you in the form of warning lights on the dash or, worse, a repair bill you weren’t expecting well into the four figures and, sometimes, five figures. Here's how to tame them.

March 1, 2021

Read more about DPF ash cleaning via this link to a round-up of past maintenance-related coverage in Overdrive. Emissions-system-related stories are under the 'Trailers and other topics' header.

Michelin adds two new truck tires to Energy lineup

Michelin is adding two new commercial truck tires to its Energy lineup. Also: Recalls announced by Navistar, Paccar and Daimler – see which trucks are affected; and Michigan has enacted its spring weight restrictions.

March 1, 2021

The Micheline X Line Energy T2 meets SmartWay requirements and targets dry van truckload and less-than-truckload, refrigerated, tanker and flatbed fleet segments.

Overdrive Radio

Use the CB -- it works

For Overdrive's 60th-anniversary series, a look back at the emphasis readers have placed on the citizen's band radio as a primary safety tool in dangerous driving conditions, right up to the present moment, and highway culture through history.

February 22, 2021

Cb Mic In Truck Red Dash

Back in the saddle again

Former owner-operator Scott Reed is back behind the wheel, this trucking tour as a company driver with Greg Anderson's seven-truck AK Trucking, leased to Woof Trucking out of Yukon, Oklahoma.

February 17, 2021

It might well be the Cummins X15-powered Kenworth that's got him the most jazzed about the return, though. 'A buddy of mine said, 'That’s a really long truck – it’ll be hard to back into places. It’ll take you twice as long as everybody else,'' Reed said. 'I said, 'Yeah, and I’ll look twice as good doing it.'”

Kenworth gives T680 an aero, tech makeover

Visually, the truck is striking and it’s a very un-Kenworth-like update in that there are very few little tweaks.

February 11, 2021

The T680 got its first significant update Thursday since it first rolled down the Chillicothe, Ohio, assembly line.

The Freightliner FLD's biggest fan

In this video, small fleet owner Dan Davidson details extensive refurbishment work put into a bevy of FLDs through recent years. This 2000 model's rebirth included an engine replacement with a 15-liter Caterpillar 6NZ, among other work.

February 11, 2021

2000 Freightliner Fld Davidson Trucking

Fuel prices continue recent climb

Diesel prices are up for the 14th straight week after rising by 6.3 cents in the most recent week. Also: Indy's new oversize/overweight permit system up and running; PFJ offering free pizza; driver received second set of Highway Angel wings.

February 8, 2021

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Tax strategy -- to depreciate or not to depreciate major maintenance?

Equipment improvements present a variety of options as it relates to tax strategy around expensing and depreciation. Depending on your income situation, you could be well served by spreading deductions over years.

February 4, 2021

Big-ticket improvements present a variety of options as it relates to tax strategy around expensing and depreciation. Depending on your 2020 income situation, you may be well served by spreading deductions out over the next years. This can be done with depreciation scheduling, using Section 179 to expense some or all of the cost now, and/or indeed a combination of the two. Now's the time to sit down and evaluate with your accountant.

Pete goes all in on aero, tech with refreshed 579

The new 579, boasting a 7% fuel economy improvement over prior generation models, is the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient Peterbilt model to-date.

February 3, 2021

The bird from the hood pull handle has been incorporated along the side of the hood on the new model.

One-of-a-kind Mack B75 custom-built from the ground up

In a build reminiscent of Johnny Cash's hit song "One Piece at a Time," longtime diesel mechanic Mike Flake used parts from several trucks, as well as a bevy of parts he built himself, to piece together this unique take on a classic rig.

February 3, 2021

Mike Flake built this one-of-a-kind 1960 Mack B75 over the course of two-and-a-half years. He believes from his research it is the only or one of very few B-model Macks with a stretched hood in the United States.

Despite battery shortage, Tesla Semi still on track for 2021 production

Tesla's oft-delayed battery-electric autonomous Semi is still set for 2021 production, the company noted in its earnings release Wednesday, despite a shortage of battery cells. Also: Pilot holding American Heart Association fundraiser in February.

January 28, 2021

The Tesla Semi is still on track for 2021 production despite the battery shortages the company is facing.

1978 Peterbilt 352 cabover preserved

The rig is the personal power unit of Toledo, Ohio-based Fred Bowerman, purchased from Mississippi-based Bouie River Transport within the last decade as something of a preservation project in honor of Bowerman's father's passing decades ago.

January 28, 2021

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Highway hack: High value in a 'parts truck'

Long-term, having a spare 'parts truck' could save you both money and time hunting down replacement parts if you're like owner-op Zach Beadle, with a 1976 Peterbilt COE. His parts donor has saved him with these four jobs and more.

January 20, 2021

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

Fuel prices hit highest mark since March 2020

The average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel is up 32.4 cents this week from the 2020 low mark of $2.372 per gallon, which was seen during the week ending Nov. 2.

January 20, 2021

Diesel Prices Jan 18

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The toughest 15 states for lights violations, one of the 2021 Roadcheck emphases

Here are the top 15 states when it comes to a propensity to issue lights-related violations. And data also point to both 2021 Roadcheck enforcement-emphasis areas in Georgia, Vermont and Nevada.

Anthony Townley Jr. recalls his father (pictured) taking advantage of trucking’s travel opportunities and often saying, “This country’s so big and beautiful.”

Trucker showed how to 'enjoy the ride'

The team on the build.

Dustbusters' 1980 Kenworth W900A tractor custom-restored with a roll-back body

Canadian Eld Mandate 2

Canada pumps the brakes on ELD deadline

Garmin dēzl™ OTR1000 10" GPS Truck Navigator

Garmin dēzl™ OTR1000 10" GPS Truck Navigator

OTR podcast rewind -- 'Our Punjabi brothers'

More episodes »

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