The cold hard truth about hauling reefers: Is it right for you?
Choosing which segment of trucking to work in is often a matter of personal preference. Pulling refrigerated trailers can be a rewarding experience and it
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
Does new Lytx product further erode driver independence?
No over–the–road driver that has struggled to find a parking space when it’s time to rest needs to be informed that a parking shortage exists.
Back in the Game: Modern ICEs will play vital role in the future of zero emissions
While much of North America is focused on electric vehicles (EVs) in the push toward zero emissions, another player is back on the field and
Carriers must protect themselves against ever-increasing jury awards
The trucking industry was shocked recently when a jury awarded nearly a half-billion dollars to the plaintiffs in a case involving a 2019 crash. Two
Tim Chelette of Big G Express finds joy in mentoring other drivers
You can often tell a great athlete by the number of awards and accolades they’ve earned during their careers. The same can be said of
Strong new truck sales delay capacity adjustment in the freight market
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks were stronger than expected in September when 21,813 trucks were reported sold by manufacturers, according to Wards Intelligence.
Analysts say trucking conditions will begin to improve — but slowly
For several months, there have been hints that the freight market is beginning to turn. Unfortunately, spot freight rates have been bouncing along the bottom
Practical innovation: Shell Starship 3.0 shows how to get the most from available technology
The development of technology simply for the sake of using technology is not practical, nor is it useful. That’s a lesson exemplified by the 48-cylinder,
Lessons learned: Use Roadcheck results to make sure equipment, drivers are roadworthy and safe
In September, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) released the results of its 2024 Roadcheck inspection blitz. As a refresher, the event was conducted over
FMCSA’s certification label requirements on rear impact guards: Safety or silliness?
Professional drivers have been known, on occasion, to question some of the regulations put in place by federal agencies and their effectiveness in making our
Owner-ops can have their say in the FMCSA Truck Leasing Task Force
One of the easiest highways to truck ownership is to enter a lease-purchase agreement with a carrier. Unfortunately, this can also be a path to
New to the road? Here’s what you need to know when packing for a run
Ask 50 truck drivers what you should plan to bring along when you make your first solo trip and you’ll likely get 50 different answers,
Class 8 truck sales stronger than expected in August as inventories pile up
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks remained stronger than expected in August, according to data received from Wards Intelligence. Manufacturers reported sales of 20,674
More freight should mean higher rates — so why isn’t it happening?
DAT’s Truckload Volume Index (TVI) for August rose month over month for the dry van, refrigerated and flatbed segments tracked. DAT reported an increase of
Video systems and telematics have changed the job of truck driving forever
Professional truck drivers have long been known for their independence. In decades past, the practice was to just give a driver the keys, a truck
What’s in your PSP report? What you don’t know could hurt your chances of employment
For many years, the Federal Motor Carrier Safey Administration (FMCSA) required carriers to perform background checks on all drivers that were hired or leased on
Knowing your cost per mile can make or break a small trucking business
It’s not difficult to tell which small trucking business owners don’t have a handle on the economics of their business. They tend to explain things
CVSA works to keep drivers and vehicles rolling safely
Many drivers dread entering weigh stations — but not because of the scales. (Hopefully, they’ve already weighed their trucks and made the necessary adjustments so
The CMV Tutor: Tom Gilliam hopes to help the homeless through CDL training
Earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be the first step into a wide variety of connected careers, from driving to owning a trucking company,
A dashcam can be a driver’s best friend when determining who’s at fault in an accident
In the aftermath of an accident involving your truck, the “he said/she said” approach makes poor evidence and does nothing to prove which party is