Manufacturing dilemma: Supply chain constraints holding back production at truck OEMs while prices keep rising
Carriers can expect to pay more for new equipment in the coming years — if said equipment can be found to purchase at all, according
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
Despite rising prices, new Class 8 tractor sales showing gains
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — U.S. sales of new, Class 8 trucks experienced the best month of the year to date in June, according to data
Love changes things: Candace Hunter left career in finance to enter the world of trucking
Candace Hunter was running a successful tax business in 2019 when love intervened. She met Rickie Braden, who was interested in starting a business of
Safety first: Longtime trucker Duane Dornath finds joy in his career, family
Completing a trip with no accidents, no citations and no violations added to a CSA score is the goal of every professional driver. Repeating this
Preparation is key to passing DOT roadside inspections
Drivers are often surprised when a DOT roadside inspection turns up one or more issues, especially if those issues are of the shut down variety.
Safety Series: Keep safety in mind while driving, even when it’s necessary to be aggressive
Anyone who has driven a commercial vehicle professionally has likely received a ton of training in defensive driving. Whether the training is from the National
Manufacturing dilemma: Industry analysts say more than 21,000 new trucks sold in May while orders declined
May sales of new Class 8 trucks on the U.S. market increased by 7.6% in May over April sales figures, according to data received from
Survival games: Drivers scramble for loads as trucking pendulum swings to downcycle
Things are tough all over. There is still freight to haul, but there’s more competition for it. In the meantime, expenses are up and rates
Using a factor can help cash flow, allowing owner-operators to focus on freight
When it comes to operating your own trucking business, being a great driver isn’t enough. It takes more than driving skill to profitably manage a
Safety Series: Dash cameras can provide inexpensive and effective protection to drivers
If you’re still driving without a dash camera, you’re missing out on some of the best protection you can get for your driving record. Dash
Safety Series: ‘Impaired driving’ can be result of factors other than drugs and alcohol
When most drivers think about “impairment,” they think of alcohol consumption, or possibly the use of illegal drugs. Those substances can certainly impair a driver’s
Gaining traction: More truck buyers choosing zero-emission to reduce cost of ownership
Zero-emissions vehicles aren’t on the horizon for the trucking industry — they’re already here. Every major truck manufacturer now offers electric versions of their medium-
‘I was really surprised … and I was kind of proud of myself’ says TCA’s 2021 Company Driver of the Year Rob Howell
Rob Howell took home $25,000 and the title of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) 2021 Company Driver of the Year at the closing banquet of
‘It is awesome; it sets you apart from other people in your industry’ says 2021 Owner-Operator of the Year Glen Horack
It took some perseverance, but Glen Horack has achieved top honors as Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) 2021 Owner-Operator of the Year. The Elkland, Missouri, resident
Those Who Deliver with Covenant Transport
Managing change is important to any organization. At Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Covenant Transport, it’s all in a day’s work. Founded in 1986 with 25 trucks and
What goes up must come down: Falling rates and rising fuel prices point to a downcycle for trucking
Conditions for earning a profit in trucking are cyclical in nature. When freight is plentiful, rates tend to rise — and truckers buy more trucks
Despite strong March, truck builders struggle to get parts, materials
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks rose by a whopping 35.8% in March compared to February sales figures, but the increase isn’t a sign
Back to school: Would-be drivers should carefully consider options for CDL training
The new commercial driver’s license (CDL) training requirements that went into effect in February will result in fewer drivers being trained by friends or family
Keep up with the times: New FMCSA training requirements change process of earning a CDL
The process of training to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) — or to add hazardous materials (H), passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsements
Safety Series: Reduced speed, increased attention and following distance are keys to navigating construction zones
For an over-the-road driver, there’s rarely a day without a route that passes through least one construction zone. Most drivers accept that dealing with construction