Equipment: Page 2

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

team photo taken outside of 1980 Kenworth W900A

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

clean me drum barrel

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 radio mic in truck cab

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

Scott Reed's 2019 Cummins X15-powered Kenworth W900L

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 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

Davidson Trucking 2000 Freightliner FLD

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

Screen Shot 2021 02 09 At 2 14 20 Pm

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

Swapping out an engine on a semi-truck

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

Peterbilt bird hood pull handle

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

Maike Flake's 1960 mack b75

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

Bowerman's 1978 Peterbilt 352 cabover

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

Zach Beadle standing next to his Pete Wilson combo

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

Partners in Business

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

From 2020's Overdrive's GATS Week last August, owner-operator trucking business coaches Kevin Rutherford and Gary Buchs discussed cost-cutting, key numbers, buying new v. used and more in this session.

August 26, 2020

kevin and gary-2020-08-26-08-50

'WTF' stresses service for long-term success

Watch This Freight's owner Jesse McGinness has purchased the first Class 8 in his 11-unit otherwise hotshot fleet. A black-rimmed flattop 2021 389 spec'd for heavy haul wasn't part of his five-year plan when he launched the company four years ago.

January 14, 2021

2021 Peterbilt 389 with Landoll trailer

Page 2 of 218

Semi trucks parked at Pilot gas station pumps

Independents worry fuel prices will keep rising

After seeing diesel costs rise steadily since fall, more than half of Overdrive survey respondents with operating authority expect their biggest percentage cost increase this year to come from fuel.

Man eating inside restaurant

Truck stop is part of Alaska's backcountry history

The independent trucker we will not go away protest sign

Owner-ops aren't company drivers for a reason

Trooper at computer watching truck cross scales inspections

Roadcheck: Do blitz announcements do any good?

Howes Diesel Defender

Howes Diesel Defender

Owner-ops aren't company drivers for a reason

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