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Voices: Page 22
Overdrive Extra
Parasitic costs: 15 ways to eliminate and save, build value as an owner-operator
Negative press when it comes to economic conditions can easily overwhelm and discourage hope for success, sapping owner-operators' energy away from critical tasks. Here's a bevy of savings, income opportunities you may be missing in the process.
June 20, 2023
Overdrive Radio
How to master work-life balance while trucking over-the-road
This week's Overdrive Radio features our in-depth talk with Adam Wingfield and Jason Cowan on processes that can help owner-operators and small fleet owners find better balance long-term.
June 19, 2023
Sponsor Content
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March 24, 2025
Overdrive Extra
Demanding an hourly-pay standard for truckers: ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’
Annual employee-driver wages averaged $38,618 in 1980. Adjusted to 2015 dollars, the figure would have been more than $111,000 a year and well more than that today. Clifford Petersen offers this path to get there.
June 13, 2023
Overdrive Radio
Trucking with authority, take two: Another run at independence for owner-operator Matthew Karr
"Strike when the market's cold" -- you could consider it a maxim for the outlook on small business for Overdrive May Trucker of the Month Matthew Karr, coming off an excellent profit year hauling fuel leased. Run through his history on Overdrive Radio.
June 12, 2023
Channel 19
Towing horror stories: $7,000 for a cross-town haul
More tales of predatory towing, where owner-operators are too often misled and charged thousands, sometimes in ways that clash with local rules and regulations. Here's what happened, and ideas on ways to fight back.
June 7, 2023
Overdrive Extra
Arizona I-40 rougher than a corncob? You bet, particularly between Kingman and Flagstaff
Longtime owner-operator Joey Slaughter reached out today about a particular stretch of road he calls "by far the worst I’ve ever seen in my 30-year career" driving trucks. Some relief may be coming, but he hasn't seen it yet.
June 7, 2023
Overdrive Extra
'He should still be here': Remembering Flattop, gone too soon
Long Haul Paul remembers his longtime friend, Flattop. "On behalf of my friend, I'm compelled to plead this case -- if you've come to a point where you hate your life more than you love your family, you have options" to heal, he urges.
June 6, 2023
Equipment
POLL: Do you treat your diesel fuel year-round, just seasonally, or not at all?
Treating seasonally in winter traditionally has been most common as an anti-gel, though since the introduction of EGR, ULSD and the downspeeding of many diesel engines, it's grown in prominence for a variety of reasons. What's your practice?
June 6, 2023
Overdrive Radio
Another reason to fight traffic tickets: Convictions can impact your safety ratings
Last year, according to compliance consultant Jeff Davis in this edition of Overdrive Radio, FMCSA modified its safety rating methodology significantly. For the first time, auditors could include traffic-ticket convictions in a carrier's safety rating.
June 5, 2023
Overdrive Extra
Sens., Reps push for OIG task force on double brokering, other fraud
A recent letter signed by five U.S. Senators and three House reps urges DOT Inspector General to work with the DOJ and the FMCSA to explore a permanent task force dedicated to issues of fraud in brokered and other freight markets.
June 2, 2023
Overdrive Radio
Owner-operator evolution in 'Partners in Business': Roundtable
This wide-ranging discussion with Red Eye Radio's Eric Harley, ATBS' Mike Hosted, and Overdrive's Gary Buchs keyed in on vital aspects of owner-operator business practice, from basic task management to make-or-break of cost/revenue numbers engagement....
May 28, 2023
Channel 19
$6,000 for 16 miles? Viral video sparks outrage over predatory towing
A viral video led to outrage and a flame war between a truck driver and a towing company, and it's only one of many stories emerging about predatory towing practices, and sometimes threatening encounters with armed tow and boot operators.
May 26, 2023
Overdrive Extra
House rep takes to the trucking social airwaves amid 'hectic' week in D.C.
Taking calls from operators, Rep. Mike Collins expressed measures of support for a block on FMCSA's pursuit of speed limiters as well as further hours of service flexibilities, yet tied many trucking issues to the litigious nature of society today.
May 26, 2023
Business
The work-life balancing act: With rates down, focus on family, customer relationships
Rates are down, costs are up, making work-life balance seem like an unattainable luxury for many owners. But two trucking success stories say that investing in strong relationships, family and otherwise, is actually just what this market calls for.
May 25, 2023
Channel 19
Caught at Roadcheck: 2023 inspection fails
How not to do it: With Roadcheck in the books for the year, a few states put forth some of the worst equipment and driver failures they saw. You might think of these as "negative reinforcement," as it were, of your own safe practices.
May 23, 2023
Overdrive Extra
Truck parking reimagined: Bennett's 'Large car campgrounds'
"Fighting that mess at the truck stop" was a principal concern driving the investment in the Large Car Campgrounds initiative, says Bennett Motor Express CEO David Lowry. Now, three dedicated campgrounds for Bennett-leased owners set the stage for more.
May 22, 2023
Voices
Love it or hate it? Peterbilt fanatics respond to the 589 unveiling
New poll results show overwhelming approval for the new Peterbilt 589, but drill down into the details and there's plenty reader questions. Cab too big? Hood too short? Is it really a good 389 replacement? See what owners are saying about the new rig.
May 19, 2023
Overdrive Radio
'Chicken house closed, locked up, nobody home' | Introducing Hope Zvara and 'Trucking Yoga'
Is it possible to get through the Roadcheck inspection blitz without passing a single open scale? Flatbed independent Mike "Mustang" Crawford points the way. Long Haul Paul's talk with Zvara details the quality-of-life benefits of basic movement.
May 19, 2023
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Overdrive Extra
Red, white and 'Little Blue': The story of owner-operator Raiko Graveran
RGT Transport owner Graveran came to the United States in '08 on a raft from Cuba, ultimately able to gain legal permanent resident status with the immigration policy of the time. Today, he's the proud owner of a multi-award-winning custom '95 FLD flattop that cuts a unique picture on the show circuit.
Custom Rigs
The ‘Maximum Overdrive’-themed 1999 Western Star that made a marriage
Pride & Polish
Overdrive's Pride & Polish: Vote for your favorite rigs today
Regulations
DOT reveals the real reason it's pushing out 200,000 non-domiciled CDL drivers
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