Equipment
Business
Regulations
Life
Custom Rigs
Gear
Partners in Business
The leading business training program for owner-operators.
In partnership with
Latest Stories: Page 6
Business Management
Tools for the on-highway back office: Computers, mobile devices, internet
Online trucking resources, combined with ever-cheaper digital tools, can help owner-operators work faster, smarter, more profitably.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Controlling fuel costs, improving efficiency critical to any owner-operator's survival
Reducing your speed, limiting idle time and using technology to your advantage are among myriad ways to help improve the bottom line by increasing fuel efficiency.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
More smart practices: Controlling fuel costs, improving efficiency, understanding fuel surcharges
In addition to reducing speed and idling, there are several other good fuel conservation practices, each of which can reduce your fuel bill by 1% to 3% -- or several hundred dollars a year.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Fuel taxes: Finding the cheapest fuel about more than the pump price
You cannot reduce your tax outlay unless you choose hauls that avoid high-tax states. What you have more control over is how much you pay strictly for fuel when the fuel tax is not considered.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Controlling tire costs: Keep your No. 2 variable expense to a minimum
Many more factors than size go into picking the right tire for a specific truck in a specific application. Vehicle usage and tire characteristics such as price, fuel economy, durability, miles to removal, retreadability and others play a big role.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Good habits behind the wheel and in the shop key to long tire life
Tires represent one of a truck owner’s highest variable expenses behind fuel. Good habits can go a long way to prolonging your tire life to get the most out of your purchases.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Time management can make or break an owner-operator's business
Maximizing your time and increasing the efficiency of your business are keys to success as an owner-operator. Know your split-sleeper options in the hours of service, and don't be afraid to deadhead if it makes sense. Fixed costs never stop.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Mapping out a successful trucking week
A specific weekly plan can help in owner-operator success. One trip may not be enough time consider profitability, and a month may be too much time to manage. A single week is the right amount of time to deal with efficiently.
January 1, 2025
Business Management
Know the value of your time: Notes on paying yourself and business profits
Cost and income performance per unit of time worked isn't always a priority in the miles-focused trucking industry, yet tracking time performance closely and making adjustments is key for owner-operators who want to double down on efficiency.
January 1, 2025
Partners in Business
Calculate any load's cost in relation to time, not just miles
Evaluating any given load’s value, it’s crucial to consider costs to haul the freight on a per-mile basis, but also in relation to time. This custom-spreadsheet table and Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer can help
January 1, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
Acquiring your first 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, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
Move equipment financing terms to your favor
When purchasing a truck and looking to take out a loan, you have several options for negotiating with lenders to help get the terms to more favorable footing.
January 1, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
Used trucks: How to evaluate a rig to protect long-term value prospects
Used-truck market conditions have stabilized somewhat 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, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
Ways to assess 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, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
There's plenty to consider before entering a lease-purchase agreement with a motor carrier
Lease-purchase plans have traditionally been somewhat well-used paths to truck ownership, particularly among operators with otherwise shaky credit, but they also generate the most controversy.
January 1, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
Traditional loan, TRAC lease, full-service lease: Making the comparison
This comparison table offers quick-glance terms for three routes truckers can take to acquire powered assets. Likewise: A few tips for anyone going the lease route.
January 1, 2025
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, 2025
Equipment and Maintenance
The case for trailer ownership -- and tips on spec'ing the wagon
While leased operators 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, 2025
Previous Page
Page 6 of 34
Next Page