PIB TIP: THINK AERODYNAMIC. Snug the trailer tight

Oct 06, 2010

PIB TIP: THINK AERODYNAMIC. Snug the trailer tight to the tractor to cut down on wind resistance. The ride may not be as good, but the savings are worth the trade-off. Add features such as roof fairings, chassis fairings, cab extenders and aerodynamic mirrors. Mount air cleaners under the hood. Following these tips will help your existing truck be more fuel efficient. The Partners in Business program is produced by Overdrive and the consultants at ATBS, the nation’s largest owner-operator business services firm, and is sponsored by Schneider National Inc. and Freightliner Trucks.

Partners in Business tip: Work to improve your credit

December 2, 2020

Small-fleet owner Jesse McGinness was going for originality with the look of this 2021 Peterbilt 389, spec'ing the black Alcoa rims from the factory. After his maiden voyage in a Class 8 tractor years ago, in a Peterbilt 379, he fell in love with the classic square-hood series. He plans to modify the stacks, the grille and more to all-black finish -- committing sacrilege, says the operator who took him on that first 379 run. McGinness'll maintain plenty in chrome/stainless accents, not to worry. The flattop with lift-axle is powered by the X15 Cummins at 605 hp, with an 18-speed transmission. 'I wanted this truck to be a truck that I thought was cool,' McGinness said, in addition to doing the tough over-dimensional/heavy hauling he'll require of it.

'Watch This Freight' stresses service for long-term success

WTF'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.

The glider market grew from a few hundred sales a year in 2010 to upwards of 10,000 as recently as 2017. Gliders sported pre-emissions-regs engines -- no exhaust gas recirculation or selective catalytic reduction components and, thus, no need for DEF. With simpler technology and refurbished engines, the products were much cheaper than new trucks with new engines, making them attractive buys for small-business truckers.

Glider kit market hits fatal nosedive with latest emissions regs

After weakened demand in 2020, diesel prices jump back to pre-pandemic levels

Junior Elmore’s Marmon caught Christner's eye right off for a very simple reason: 'I’d never seen a Marmon cabover in the flesh before,' he wrote. 'Up close, it’s easy to see why a Marmon cabover was used in the movie 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' as the Autobot Optimus Prime. Elmore’s Marmon COE #31 HDT-BC-86 was Manufactured 03/1977 in Garland, Texas. This is a complete truck with no parts taken off. Still running when parked in 1999. A good honest work truck that’s nicely spec’d out.' Find more details, and history, via this link.

Look back at Junior Elmore's classic 1970s rigs

The carrier should ensure its name is shown on the bill of lading to help establish entitlement to payment from the shipper in the event of a problem with the broker.

Protect yourself against questionable brokers

Trucking with authority and other reasons ‘Why we drive’ — OTR rewind No. 2

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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.

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