Overdrive Extra

Be wary of third-party trucking dispatch services

Necessary knowledge for independent owner-operators in today’s world includes knowing how not to put yourself in a position to be victimized by a bad actor. Using an unregulated, uninsured dispatch service could put you at that very kind of risk.

January 10, 2025

Stop Sign On Highway Scene 2

First look: 100-inch custom ATG sleeper on Jay Hosty's '22 Western Star

Trucker of the Year Hosty's '22 Western Star 4900EX daycab is a daycab no more. That's right -- plans in this case come to full fruition, with the addition of the 100-inch custom Alliance Truck Group (ATG) rear-door sleeper. It's a beauty.

January 8, 2025

Jay Hosty with 2022 Western Star

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November 18, 2024

Made To Be Heard

Faces of the road: 19-year-old Jordan Foreman, on his past, present and future trucking

Long Haul Paul spoke to Foreman when he was but 18, still in high school, and already hauling grain in an Indiana farm operation. Foreman's advice for young men and women eyeing trucking careers: "Don’t get in a hurry, and learn from the old guys."

December 24, 2024

Overdrive Extra

'Don't hold your breath' on a trucking turnaround in 2025

With high hopes for the incoming Trump administration and the new year, Clifford Petersen warns against waiting for the cavalry on overtime pay for drivers, parking and/or any positive regulatory push. All will require plenty oxygen.

December 13, 2024

Crowded Highway Scene Trucks

Overdrive Extra

A freight world without brokers: 'Carriers United' daring to do more than just dream

With time, this small fleet owner aims to build what he calls an "army of carriers" to deliver on goals: namely, to "put money back in the pockets of the carriers" in service to shippers, and relieve drivers of parking fees, tow threats.

December 11, 2024

Hours of Service

Sleeper berth: Should more truckers be able to split as they see fit?

Essentially, that's what team operators hauling for McKee foods have been able to do -- including 5/5- and 6/4-hour combinations -- since 2015, when granted an exemption. Weigh in with this update utilizing Overdrive's new poll module.

July 10, 2024

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Overdrive Extra

Post-election optimism yields opportunity: A new start for your trucking business

A big shift in mood post-election -- with so many owners having hung on for months, even years for the chance to move forward with optimism -- delivers opportunity for a reset. Yet don't let knee-jerk reaction overtake the necessity of careful planning.

December 3, 2024

Truck On Mountain Highway Making Turn Ahead

Overdrive Extra

We're thankful! And: Kick the tires of Overdrive's new 'Load Profit Analyzer'

A message of thanks to all the owner-operators in the audience. And: First look at a load profit comparison calculator we'd love for you to kick the tires on. Take a run through Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer.

November 28, 2024

Bruce Roche's LTL 9000 with thanksgiving message from Overdrive

Overdrive Extra

Broker 'confessions' novel aims at seedy underbelly of digital freight culture

"Confessions of a Freight Broker" is authored by a former broker and here reviewed by Long Haul Paul, who notes it's time for a serious conversation about money, and how much of it in trucking is making its way to those behind the wheel.

November 27, 2024

Confessions Of A Freight Broker Book Cover

Overdrive Extra

Time to put an owner-operator behind the wheel of FMCSA?

"I like a challenge," said owner-operator Lee Schmitt of his campaign to head FMCSA. Schmitt has been working the incoming Trump administration, and promises to bring experience, hard work to the agency.

November 26, 2024

Lee and Lisa Schmitt -- their 2005 Peterbilt is shown in the background image here parked in past outside the U.S. Capitol building.

Overdrive Extra

You don’t get any do-overs: A word of caution about expanding by leasing on owner-operators

"Once it goes wrong, just like it did for me, it’s too late." The words of W. Joel Baker here offer a warning for one-truck owners against too-quick expansion without careful preparation and due diligence around operators you're contracting with.

November 13, 2024

Large Cars And Guitars 2024 Stage, Surrounded By Trucks

Overdrive Extra

The 'death-defying adventures,' songwriting, rig-rock rise of The Franklin County Trucking Company

The bad boys of trucking music are back with their fourth studio album in seven years, “The Death-Defying Adventures of The Franklin County Trucking Company.” It's a doozy of a listen, and Long Haul Paul here details the record with the bandleaders.

November 6, 2024

Death Defying Adventures of the Franklin Country Trucking Company record cover

Overdrive Extra

Academia to OTR: Leased operator Wes Harman and 'The Bee' 2024 Cascadia

Prime-leased Wes Harman has almost paid the rig off in full. When Long Haul Paul met Harman, he notes, "I could have as easily believed the former English professor turned reefer hauler to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 trucking concern."

October 29, 2024

Wes Harman and his 2024 Freightliner Cascadia, 'The Bee'

Overdrive Extra

$1/gal: A fuel holy grail?

Or just an example of the limits of technology? In this case, despite two different fuel-price-info apps showing $1/gal. at the same South Dakota truck stop, turns out ...

October 23, 2024

$1/gal. showing at the Crossroads Truck Stop, Colman, S.D.

Overdrive Extra

After the accident: Understanding downtime claims for owner-operators and small fleets

Attorney Kelsea Eckert notes truck owners have a right to downtime compensation from at-fault parties in most states. Those parties' insurers, however, may not volunteer the information. It’s important to prove the loss, push for rightful compensation.

October 22, 2024

Loaded Flatbed Stuck In Crash Traffic

Small Fleet Champ

Four finalist fleets to square off at NASTC show

Overdrive's Small Fleet Championship advances to the ring, with a panel of judges selecting four finalists, two in each size division, to meet in Nashville, Tennessee, Nov. 7 for the final rounds. Meet the finalists here.

October 11, 2024

Small Fleet Championship 2024 finalists

Overdrive Extra

When customer facilities get too risky for business

You are the "'captain of that 18-wheeled ship,' and it's your responsibility, ultimately, to make decisions that keep you and others safe." --Gary Buchs on risk-management lessons learned in collaboration with shipper/receiver customers to improve.

October 2, 2024

Getty Images 481073488

Overdrive Extra

Will you vote? Resources on registration, early voting, absentee ballots, more

"I’m here to tell you your single vote matters. Just a bit more than half of eligible voters typically cast votes. Low turnout ... fundamentally means individual votes carry significant weight." --Overdrive contributor Gary Buchs

September 18, 2024

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Hacked? How to contain the damage, or better avoid the hackers entirely

In this Overdrive Radio edition, a variety of ways to spot fraud in phishing emails and on fradulent rate cons, and in the very voice on the phone who might purport to be someone you know, or from a company you know.

Shawn Wright's 1968 Peterbilt 358A

Retired owner-op's 1968 Peterbilt 358A build makes triumphant run

Jay Hosty with 2022 Western Star

First look: 100-inch custom ATG sleeper on Jay Hosty's '22 Western Star

Cummins-powered Ram models side by side

Cummins' new diesel for Ram HD hotshot trucks, pickups

Made To Be Heard

Made To Be Heard

Hacked? How to contain the damage, or better avoid the hackers entirely

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