Maintenance: Page 5

National Labor Relations Board, again, alters independent contractor classification standard

For the third time in a decade, NLRB is altering how it considers whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Also: I-96 closures planned in Detroit this weekend; Dana's EZ-ID tool for driveshaft parts ID, ordering.

June 16, 2023

truck on highway

Report reveals most dangerous times to drive

New analysis of NHTSA data found the most dangerous times to drive. Also: Truck parking survey needs driver input on where to build; Maintenance costs high but stabilizing: Report; Pilot partners with Relay to cut card skimming.

June 14, 2023

truck accident rollover

Fuel treatments increasingly part of owner-operators' PM routine

Fuel-quality issues, emissions-system maintenance and injector life: Three areas, among others, where owner-operators are finding relief through fuel treatments. A majority report treating year-round with one product or another.

June 14, 2023

Among South Dakota-based Jamie Hagen's Hellbent Xpress truck and trailer equipment is this Mack and aerodynamic dry van combo. Hagen is one among many owner-operators now treating their fuel year-round for a myriad reasons -- in his case, to deliver preventive maintenance dividends with extension of injector life and more.

Canadian wildfire smoke calls for more diligent air filter practices

Particulate matter in wildfire smoke presents health risks and can shorten a vehicle's air filter life.

June 11, 2023

When driving near wildfires, Daimler Trucks North America recommends setting cabin air to recirculation and keeping a closer eye on an engine air filter performance. “Driving near fires or other occurrences where there could be an unusual amount of debris in the air, it is important to monitor the air restriction gauges and respond appropriately should the restrictions rise as well as clean the filters or replace them when it is safe to do so,' said DTNA marketing engine specialist Michael Young.

FMCSA's proposed CSA SMS changes -- one week left to comment

The proposed changes attempt to simplify violation severity weights and adjust intervention thresholds. Also: HOS regs waived for certain North Dakota ag haulers; recalls hit Freightliner, Western Star tractors and Mack electric garbage truck.

May 9, 2023

inspection officer screening trucks

Pandemic spurs growth in remanufactured parts trade

“[Truck owners] are starting to see another positive for their bottom line when it comes to reman,” Joe Gonzales of Vehicle Reman says.

May 1, 2023

Someone works on remanufacturing a turbocharger.

Oral fluid drug testing approved by DOT

Carriers will be able to use oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing, eventually. Also: Colorado passes "zero emission" truck regulations; Mack, Volvo electric trucks recalled; FleetPride acquires Indiana truck, trailer repair shop.

May 2, 2023

oral fluid drug test

Roadcheck fails: 'Worst of the worst' in Iowa

Ahead of the big Roadcheck inspection blitz two weeks on, Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Enforcement unit shows us pictures of some of the worst failures from last year.

May 1, 2023

iowa roadcheck sticker

Overdrive Radio

Paths to 10-plus mpg in a Class 8 diesel tractor with aero, downspeeding, more

For all the focus on rates and revenue, no improvement there is dollar for dollar. Yet "fuel savings go right to the bottom line," owner-operator Joel Morrow re-emphasizes in this Overdrive Radio edition walking through ways to get to 10 mpg, and beyond.

April 21, 2023

Owner-operator wins 2018 Volvo tractor in giveaway | Latest truck, trailer recalls

Tornado Trucking LLC owner Angelique Temple won a 2018 Volvo VNL during WIT’s Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event. Also: Navistar recalls International LT, RH trucks over ECM issue; Great Dane trailers recalled for lack of wheel hub lube.

April 10, 2023

Angelique Temple, owner-operator of Virginia-based Tornado Transport LLC, won a 2018 Volvo VNL during Women in Trucking's Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event at the Mid-America Trucking Show on March 31.

Diesel shops fined $600K for manufacturing, selling, installing emissions 'defeat devices'

EPA last summer filed a complaint against an individual and three Illinois-based diesel shops for Clean Air Act violations related to "defeat devices." Also: Reefer, van spot rates slide; former CDL examiner pleads guilty to accepting bribes.

April 7, 2023

Single Canister Dpf Scr Design 2018 10 30 12 40

‘The extra load' to boost profitability in challenging times

Releasing the new edition of Partners in Business at MATS, Overdrive and ATBS' seminar charted cost, revenue and income benchmarks for owner-operator attendees, offering strategies to boost short- and long-term profitability.

April 3, 2023

overdrive's partners in business 2023 business manual for owner-operators thumbnail

Repair labor rates climbing, driving technician pay raises

More than three-quarters of service providers responding to a Fullbay survey said they raised labor rates in 2022, with the Southwest U.S. region leading the charge.

February 26, 2023

diesel mechanic working on an engine

Right to Repair legislation to cover future tech reintroduced in Congress

The legislation would ensure that, as trucks get more high-tech, truck owners and their repairer of choice maintain access to the necessary tools and data. Also: New courses covering driver mental health and personal security now available.

February 10, 2023

mechanic working on engine

Nontraditional truck parts-sourcing strategies on the rise

Need a DEF quality sensor and you can't find it? How's a DEF tank somebody decided to "delete" sound for a quick and inexpensive solution? In Part 2 of this parts-purchase series, find more unique approaches as owners have adapted to new realities.

February 8, 2023

Owner-ops navigate rocky truck parts-procurement landscape

In Part 1 of this two-part feature, research reveals owners increasingly turning online and to new vendors for parts in the post-COVID era of procurement. Others have gotten crafty, devising unique strategies to ensure they have the parts they need.

February 8, 2023

Photo of parts, trucks in fleet garage

Tire wear patterns telling of overall truck maintenance

Correctly reading and interpreting tire wear can save you money, enhance safety and alleviate maintenance headaches.

July 1, 2011

Tread patterns on a truck tire

I-94 closure planned this weekend

A section of I-94 near Detroit will be closed in both directions this weekend. Also: New end yokes by Spicer available for replacement in Allison auto transmissions; six fleets seek waiver for flashing brake lights.

February 2, 2023

Trucks on highway in Detroit

Page 5 of 7

Us Venezuela Flags Oil Adobe Stock 1866630201

Could U.S. action in Venezuela bring diesel prices down?

Not likely anytime soon, analysts say. The monetary and time investment to ramp up oil production in Venezuela means little near-term impacts on the global oil market. At once, experts predict good tidings for diesel prices through early 2026.

Maxresdefault

'Better than a horse and buggy': 1935 International a family heirloom

Cast your votes for your favorite Custom Rigs video in each of the two semi-final matchups at the bottom of this post, or at this link, to determine which trucks move on to the final round.

Custom Rigs Showdown: Old iron rules the quarterfinal round

Combined (1) Mh

$9,500 tariff on a new truck? 2027 emissions regs pre-buy in question

JBL Live Beam 3 - Slim, sleek, and impossibly modern earbuds and Smart Charging Case - Audio Evolution You Can See and Hear

JBL Live Beam 3 - Slim, sleek, and impossibly modern earbuds and Smart Charging Case - Audio Evolution You Can See and Hear

Bye-bye 2025: Hope and headwinds for freight, costs, regs in focus in Overdrive Radio

More episodes »