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Equipment and Maintenance
Equipment and Maintenance
Getting that first OTR truck: Purchase or lease?
Will you purchase or lease the truck? If purchasing, where will you get the money? Here, find information about financing, how to find a good lender and more.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Move equipment financing terms to your favor
When purchasing a truck and seeking a loan, you have several options for negotiating with lenders to help get the terms to more favorable footing. A few percentage points on an interest rate can yield thousands in savings -- or the opposite -- over the loan's term.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Used trucks: How to evaluate a rig to protect long-term value
In short, match specs for the job. Used market conditions have stabilized since the COVID-19 pandemic -- good news for a market where most owner-operators source equipment, particularly early in their careers. Here's a lot to consider when evaluating a used purchase.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Ways to assess used-truck market value for purchase, trade or sale, insurance
Every truck buyer, likewise every seller, should embrace some sense of reality to avoid costly missteps. Use this tool to get a good assessment of current market value for any truck model.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
The lease-purchase route to truck ownership: Questions to ask any carrier
Lease-purchase paths toward truck ownership aren't very-well-used paths to truck ownership, but for operators with otherwise shaky credit, they can be a lifeline. At once, they generate controversy for set-up-to-fail terms and application that limit lessee freedom.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Traditional loan, TRAC lease, full-service lease: Making the comparison
Quick-glance terms and conditions for three routes truckers can take to acquire the equipment. Likewise: A few tips for anyone going the lease route.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
How to improve your credit rating for better truck-loan interest, and so much more
Clean credit is important for owner-operators in many areas, including lending terms on equipment and sometimes even getting freight. Here, find out why, along with tips on improving your credit score.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
The case for trailer ownership -- and tips on spec'ing the wagon
While leased owners don’t always have the pressing need to provide a trailer that most independents do, many find trailer ownership brings significantly added earning potential.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Preventive truck maintenance pays owner-operator dividends
Brakes, tires, lights, batteries... The list goes on and on. Though a preventive maintenance schedule is sometimes hard to set up and follow through on, and certainly can be costly, neglecting maintenance is sure to cost you even more in the long run.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Effective PM starts when you buy the truck: How to deal with dealer service
The best time to start a regular PM program is when you’re buying your truck. If the dealer doesn’t volunteer detailed information, use your leverage before you buy to get it. Long-term, good maintenance records will help determine time to trade.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Save money, and stay out of inspectors' crosshairs, with smart maintenance
When asked why they’ve done a poor job of preventive maintenance, too many owner-operators say they were trying to save money. But there are many ways to save money on maintenance without skimping and courting disaster.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Aftertreatment demons: Keep your diesel emissions system clean to prolong life
If your truck is equipped with a diesel particulate filter and/or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment system, it's important to understand what they do, and why. Routine attention through PM can prevent downtime.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Routine oil analysis: Pull off extended drains for your diesel
An owner-operator extending the truck's oil drain interval by just 10,000 miles, over the 1-million-mile expected life of an engine, will save a ton of money.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Keys to extended oil drains for your diesel, in practice
Changing oil more often than required will always be preferable to a breakdown, necessity of an engine overhaul or rebuild, and all the accompanying downtime. Yet, it could also be costing you in terms of oil and filters that don't yet need to be replaced.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Beating predatory truck tows -- the Partners in Business guide
For owner-operators, an egregious tow or recovery bill can spell out a death sentence for a trucking career, maybe ruin life at home, too. Until the wider world acknowledges the grave realities, truckers need a resource.
January 1, 2026
Equipment and Maintenance
Roadside assist networks as hedge against predatory towing
Finding reliable roadside assistance in a time when predatory towing is all too common can be challenging. Yet established networks might be the best hedge against an outsize tow bill.
January 1, 2026
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Pride & Polish
This look like a cabover? 1969 Pete 358 came stamped as a 352
Casey Field's needlenose Peterbilt 358 is a perfect blend of old-school looks with some modern improvements to give the rig a more comfortable ride. Its serial number has been getting double-takes from decoders for nearly 60 years now, originally stamped a 352 cabover.
Partners in Business
Diesel rising again: New tools for MPG-investment ROI, IFTA tracking, reporting
Equipment
Class-action suit proceeding against Paccar over MX-13 issues
Regulations
'Driver shortage' narrative returns just as 'driverless' rollout accelerates
Overdrive Radio
No sideline cynics here: Voices from TenFour D.C., truckers' advocacy counterbalance
Overdrive Radio
Latest Episode
Make a bill, pay the bill: Owner-ops 'only as good as their word' trucking OTR
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