Life

Overdrive Extra

'Retired,' not 'dead': On remaining a voice for necessary change

It's a new day for longtime Overdrive Extra contributor Clifford "Chappy" Petersen, who retired from the road early this year. Here he pledges to continue to be a voice, and sounding board, for drivers. Also: Remembering the influence of Pat Hockaday.

August 2, 2021

semi truck parked at home

Overdrive Radio

What came before the CDL? 18 years old and hauling in 1917

This special edition of Overdrive Radio re-airs a talk with Jay Thompson, looking back on his family's history in trucking, all the way back to his grandfather Walter, 18 years old and trucking with a chauffeur's license in 1917.

July 27, 2021

walter thompson

Overdrive Extra

'Are you OK?' -- the most important question in emergency situations OTR

For Long Haul Paul, the thought of admitting he wasn't OK in years past brought on wary thoughts of 'risk and shame.' But, accidents happen. Health scares happen. In an emergency situation, good support folks should be there when you cry 'uncle.'

July 26, 2021

semi truck and tow truck on shoulder

Overdrive Radio

'Music to truck by' host in the running for Broadcaster of the Year honors

“Overdrive’s Music to Truck By” host “Big Al” Weekley got a nomination nod in the International Bluegrass Music Awards program. This week on his streaming music show: An alternative top 10 trucking songs of all-time, of more recent vintage.

July 1, 2021

Overdrive Extra

A case for communication simulation in driver, biz-owner education, training

Gary Buchs with a lesson from his part-time gig simulating a hospital patient in service of nursing-school education: "Talk about a different environment from trucking! Yet I can envision the value simulation training" could hold for drivers, owners.

July 20, 2021

gary and marcia buchs

Updating the top 10 trucking songs of all time

Ten years ago, we asked, you told, then voted. Here are those results. Likewise a call to action: What song would you nominate, either on this list or not, for the No. 1 trucking song of all time today? Drop us a comment toward an updated top 10 for 2021!

August 4, 2011

Overdrive Radio

‘Hello, I’m a Truck,’ and I’ve got a few bones to pick with you, drivers

Red Simpson’s “Hello, I’m a truck” hit No. 4 on the country charts in January 1972, making it the biggest hit single in Simpson’s long career. This latest "Songs of the Highway" installment channels that history, from the point of view of the truck.

July 4, 2021

'Hello, I'm a Truck' graphic

Truck parking survey: How do you access parking availability information?

With a recent ATRI report out on truck parking, this brief survey looks at one of the big topics (truck parking availability information delivery systems). Take this brief survey to weigh in: How do you access such info, if at all?

July 2, 2021

Parking Highway Sign Hancock County I 75 Mm150

Tale of two searches: Manhunt for hit-and-run suspect, journey to kidney transplant

Two men -- an owner-op sidelined by medical issues, and a diesel shop owner struck in a hit-and-run -- fight for their lives with help from devoted daughters and other family.

June 29, 2021

Hit and run accident on I64 in Woodford County

Overdrive Extra

Will Netflix's 'Ice Road' solve carriers' biggest recruiting problems?

Netflix might not know a Kenworth from a Volvo (a big mistake in the film plenty professional haulers pointed out) but they know how to sell a story to Millennials and Gen Z.

June 28, 2021

Ice Road movie graphic

Resurrecting the Rubber Duck's classic 1970 Mack RS700

This video showcases small fleet owner Anthony Fox of Rome, Ga., proud owner and caretaker of a piece of history that is one of the original 1970 Macks/60s trailer from the classic “Convoy” trucking film of the 1970s, released today 43 years ago.

November 16, 2017

Overdrive Extra

Passing the reins at Overdrive

Max Heine announces a transition at Overdrive: "I’ll be celebrating this Independence Day as a newly independent bum – or retiree, to use the proper term. I’ll truly miss the owner-operator world."

June 28, 2021

In my early years at Overdrive the magazine celebrated its 40th anniversary with a 2001 tour around the country, stopping at truck stops and hosting truckers to see a trucking history exhibit staged in the dry van. Editors and sales personnel joined driver Harvey Zander, left, well-known for his show trucks Icy Blu and Icy Blu II, in different segments as the tour progressed. Zander drove a new Volvo VN770, swapping out occasionally with me and other editors who had recently obtained their CDL. Joining Zander in one leg were, from left: Scott Miller, then a sales rep and now executive vice president for Overdrive publisher Randall-Reilly’s Recruiting Division; me, then Overdrive senior editor and now editorial director; and Linda Longton, then Overdrive editor and now senior vice president of audience for Randall-Reilly.

States with the worst traffic and highways, ranked

A new report reveals which U.S. states have the worst traffic and road conditions as the debate over highway funding and infrastructure rages in Washington.

June 24, 2021

bumper to bumper traffic on i85

Trucker Talent Search

Winning musician will get Nashville recording session

A panel of judges has narrowed the 10 semi-finalists to three finalists in the Overdrive-Red Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search. The winner will receive a full day’s recording session in Nashville studio, with backing by studio musicians.

June 22, 2021

Canadian driver recognized for helping woman after accident

Montreal-based Bruno Filipe Da Costa Raposo stopped to help a young woman after her vehicle veered off the road in front of him and into a ditch. Also: Cuban citizen pleads guilty in fraudulent CDL scheme; new Love's in Georgia.

June 18, 2021

Bruno Filipe Da Costa Raposo

One-pot chili-mac, from the 'deckplate diner' of owner-operator Thomas Remington

"I've broken bread with many a driver, but like this, out in the parking lot at the Love's at Trinity Lane and I-65 north of Nashville's downtown? Never." Here's the results, whipped up in under 20 minutes on the deck of Remington's Volvo VNL 740.

June 17, 2021

Chili mac in pot inside truck

Overdrive Radio

Tony Justice returns to 'Overdrive's Music to Truck By'

The trucker-songwriter will be in studio with Overdrive's Music to Truck By radio host 'Big Al' Weekley to pick up where they left off in April talking Justice's long-awaited "18 Gears to Life" record, out now.

April 15, 2021

Former longtime owner-op recognized as top tanker driver

Former longtime owner-operator and current company driver Ronald Baird was named National Tank Truck Carriers’ Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year. Also: U.S. 95/I-515 ramp closure planned; Bridgestone partners with autonomous trucking company.

June 16, 2021

Ronald Baird with his 2000 Peterbilt 379 from a 2013 Overdrive's Custom Rigs video.

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trucks on highway

Senate: AEB, under-21 apprenticeships in; insurance hike, parking funding out

Unlike the House version, the Senate's infrastructure bill does not include earmarked funding for parking, but it also leaves out the liability insurance hike. The Senate bill, if passed, faces an uphill battle in the lower chamber.

Kiegan Nelson drives this 2020 Peterbilt 389 for Rollin' Transport, out of Richfield, Wisconsin. The truck won Best of Show at the 39th annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs in Hampshire, Illinois.

Rollin' Transport takes home Best of Show from SuperRigs

suicide doors, interior of truck

Lessons in 30-fold growth over a decade with DSD owner Don Wood

pride and polish working bobtail 2009-newer finalists

Overdrive's Pride & Polish finalists set to be unveiled Aug. 5 -- don't miss it

Howes Diesel Defender

Howes Diesel Defender

What's your biggest business challenge as an owner-operator?

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