Life

Channel 19
Owner-operators wrestle scheduling hurdles with double-dose COVID shots
Two days' notice for a vaccine appointment in Tarrant County, Texas, just wasn't going to cut it for Landstar-leased flatbedder Bill Ater, he said. As states have opened up the COVID shot to older residents, scheduling obstacles for truckers abound.
March 2, 2021
Covid Vaccine
Trucking History
First hit trucker song in history channeled road woes
Louisianan Ted Daffan visited honky-tonks frequented by truck drivers to help write his 1939 hit "Truck Driver's Blues." Find more about what's believed to be the first national hit of a trucking song in this Songs of the Highway special-edition podcast.
March 1, 2021
This picture of a truck loading or unloading was done by an unidentified American artist around 1935-1939, the same period as when “Truck Driver’s Blues” became a hit. The lithograph is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Overdrive Radio
The long tail of the CB's social utility
Owner-operator Mike Crawford in this Overdrive Radio edition expands on some of the themes showcased earlier this week in our special-edition podcast in part about the ongoing safety utility, and the decreased cultural importance, of the CB in trucking.
February 26, 2021
'Mustang' Mike Crawford, circa 2014, at the Nashville TravelCenters of America location
Channel 19
Add your voice to 'Overdrive's Music to Truck By,' BlackOut tribute truck headed Daytona-way
Chuck Timbrook running south for Bike Week March 5 with his vets-support rig, and: Help us celebrate professional drivers and submit an intro that may be featured on the new show.
February 24, 2021
The 1999 Freightliner Classic that is Timbrook's 'BlackOut' support rig is pictured on the boardwalk in Ocean City. | Photo courtesy of Chuck Timbrook
Channel 19
Respite, brother- and sisterhood, fellowship on the long, cold road this season
The cultural ramifications of the simple practice of turning the CB on are alive and well and, in a rugged winter for over-the-road haulers all across the country, shining through in so many ways. Stuck in the ice, making the most of the situation...
February 23, 2021
Thomas Remington (left, with beard) and several friends made among drivers at the Love's in Wamsutter, Wyoming, these past days during a parking-lot feast for the ages.
Overdrive Radio
'Overdrive's Music to Truck By' to stream in four episodes
The four-part series, featuring today’s tunes from pro drivers along with trucking music classics, will be hosted by long-time trucking radio DJ Big Al Weekley.
February 22, 2021
Trucker and long-time trucking DJ Big Al Weekley will host “Overdrive’s Music to Truck By.”
Business
Truck stops closed due to power outages from winter storm
Truck stops across the South and southern plains are closed or otherwise impacted by Winter Storm Uri. Also: FMCSA's COVID hours of service waiver was extended; MATS 2021 has been postponed to next year; trucker needs help after family tragedy; more.
February 16, 2021
Trucks Snow
Overdrive Extra
Is burnout stoking in your workday? Here's how to fight it
It could manifest in added responsibilities you find yourself no longer able to keep up with, much less enjoy. Clifford Petersen here details the signs, how drivers' work can compound the issues, and how to get out of them with your sanity intact.
February 16, 2021
Highway Hay Trucks
Trucking History
1970s documentary gives intimate look at truckers' lives
A nationwide tour opened doors of truckers' homes for documentary filmmakers to get an intimate look at the business and family lives of owner-operators in the pre-deregulation era.
February 15, 2021
The late Jobie Vaden, known as the Arkansas Motormouth, was featured in “On the Boulevard.”
Overdrive Radio
COVID hours exemption not valid 'just because you're hauling food'
On Overdrive Radio, food for thought via the words of Captain Jon Olsen of the Minnesota State Patrol about qualifying for the COVID hours exemption, and: Episode 5 of the OTR podcast, about family-life sacrifices drivers -- and those back home -- endure.
February 12, 2021
Bol Covid Emergency 2
Technology
DAT load board integrating with Axele TMS
DAT and Axele's integration will give small and midsized truckload carriers easy access to automated freight-matching features that are typically available only to enterprise carriers. Also: Trucker recognized for helping family whose vehicle caught fire.
February 12, 2021
Dat Tablet
Voices
POLL: How regularly do you use your CB radio?
Does the CB radio in your truck remain a daily tool along your routes or has frequency of use faded toward emergency-only use or other less frequent utility? Weigh in via the poll here.
February 9, 2021
Cb Mic In Truck Red Dash
Voices
How this owner-op found his calling
Lincoln, Neb.-based Robert Rosenbaum's well-considered story of learning to navigate his working world in trucking, after multiple careers, with a maximum of independence to "make me as good as I wanted to be, doing something I enjoyed" with pride.
February 9, 2021
'I chose to put a premium on liberty. I didn't have to work with others always around me, requiring comity among us. I didn't have a lengthy, expensive run-up of sucking up and tush-kissing, learning what wine to drink, or what things to say I believed, etc. I realized that I was there to enjoy what I did to keep the world in line for my lady, my children, my elderly mother, and my wife's wonderful parents.' --Owner-operator Robert Rosenbaum
Overdrive Extra
Video captures spirit of 1970s trucking at convention
A brief video from a 1974 truck show in San Francisco features interviews with exhibitors and attendees, including comments about Overdrive and a trucking shutdown.
February 8, 2021
Years after attending the trucking convention, the Optic Nerve crew hit the road to gather material for a trucking documentary.
Overdrive Radio
Best nanner pudding on I-75 -- and this 1980 KW, restored
Each of the independent truck stops profiled in this funny, moving southbound podcast caper claim to be the first to have advertised the special on the CB decades ago. Also: A new build in this custom-restored rig with Dustbusters in Wyoming.
February 5, 2021
From left: Dustbusters owner Craig Prete, mechanics Austin Oliver and Kipp Knight, shop foreman Cole Potter, and owner-operator/mechanic Martin Herman. Pictured with a recently finished custom-restore of Prete's 1980 Kenworth W900A daycab, outfitted with a rollback body.
Life
Truckers name nation's top truck stops
Trucker Path revealed which independent and chain truck stops truckers ranked the highest within its app. Also: A record haul for fleet's charitable donations to St. Jude's; recognition for hauler who helped another after rollover crash.
February 4, 2021
Noble's Restaurant and Truck Stop in Corinth, Kentucky, was voted by Trucker Path app users as the No. 1 independent truck stop.
Life
Do truckers need to comply with CDC's mask mandate?
The CDC issued a sweeping transportation-focused mask mandate Friday. What does it mean for truck drivers? In other news: Rhode Island orders tractor-trailers from state highways amid winter storm; Daimler recall around brake issues.
February 1, 2021
Ovd mask 2020 04 23 15 24
Life
Federal ACA exchange reopening for health insurance
The federal ACA health insurance exchange open enrollment will reopen in February for three months. Also: The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund was able to help 322 drivers and families with money raised in 2020.
January 29, 2021
Screen Shot 2021 01 29 At 1 09 54 Pm
Page 1 of 247
Next Page
Top Stories
Canadian Eld Mandate 2
Regulations
Canada pumps the brakes on ELD deadline
Canada's Transport Minister Omar Alghabra today announced an intent to work with industry and others on details of a "progressive enforcement period" to begin with "education and awareness" exclusively, amid ongoing device registry delays.
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.
Overdrive Extra
Dealing with diesel aftertreatment demons
The DataQs system enables carriers and drivers to challenge inspection violations and crash reports, but many in trucking have complained of its shortcomings.
Regulations
DataQs improvement trial nears, but lingering problems bother industry
This picture of a truck loading or unloading was done by an unidentified American artist around 1935-1939, the same period as when “Truck Driver’s Blues” became a hit. The lithograph is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Trucking History
First hit trucker song in history channeled road woes
Latest Gear Guide loaded with helpful trucking tips for the year ahead
Sponsor Content
Latest Gear Guide loaded with helpful trucking tips for the year ahead
Overdrive Radio
Latest Episode
The long tail of the CB's social utility
More episodes »
Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherSoundcloud
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.
Download
Partners in Business Issue Cover