Passing down passion: Pennsylvania family shares a father-son love of trucking
Pretty much every driver wants a great start to a trucking career. For Lamar Buckwalter, owner of Leola, Pennsylvania-based Buckwalter Trucking, the end of a
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
Different trailer types help to differentiate truck-driving jobs
Spend some time on any highway that’s frequented by trucks and you’ll soon realize that trailers come in an amazing variety of shapes and styles.
Service centers, dealerships, technology offer options for emergency maintenance
At some point every driver will experience a truck breakdown while on the road. Sometimes there’s no choice but to pull to the side of
New truck orders far outpacing current production levels
If you plan to order a new Class 8 truck in 2021, waiting may not be wise. That’s because each new month brings more orders
Vaccine, stimulus will impact trucking conditions in the near term
Higher freight volumes got the year 2021 off to a good start, according to reports from several industry sources. The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) seasonally
Driver Q&A: On the road with Lee Strebel
Owner-operator Lee Strebel answered a few questions about his career on the road in a recent interview with The Trucker. Q: Where do you call
New vs. used: There’s much to consider when looking to purchase a truck
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward owning your own trucking business or you’re a seasoned owner-operator, at some point you’ll have to consider investing
Truckers oppose PennDOT’s bridge tolling plan
The state with the highest fuel taxes in the nation needs more money — a LOT more money — to fix crumbling bridges and highways,
Seeking Normalcy: Carriers planning for 2021 with questions about trucks, rates, drivers
If the year 2020 taught us anything about business, it’s that predictions are often worth the real estate value of the cyberspace they occupy. Regardless,
Meet Pete: New transportation secretary has ambitious plans for infrastructure, emission standards
President Joe Biden wasted no time in making major Cabinet appointments, announcing Pete Buttigieg as his choice for the U.S. Department of Transportation secretary on
Sales and orders point to a strong year for manufacturers
The U.S. Class 8 sales market started 2021 with a strong January that saw sales of 17,164 units, according to data received from ACT Research.
FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is an important part of your driving record
Although it’s just beginning its second year of existence, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has become a major part
Designed to increase safety, ELDs provide data, plus some unintended consequences for trucking industry
The year 2020 will long be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and the chaos it brought to the economy, business and our lives in general.
Quality is important to consider when choosing additives
Truckers are often bombarded with advertising for fuel, oils and other products. More advertising sells oil and fuel additives that, some say, can add unnecessary
From banking to trucking: Determination drives Karen Noel to success behind the wheel
Some people get the bug early, growing up around trucks and the trucking industry, knowing they want to drive those huge machines someday. Others pursue
Both freight rates and volumes ended the year strong but could falter if the economy does
Freight numbers rose in December as rates continued their upward climb. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 7.4% in December following
A tax advisor can help you navigate confusing laws
As if 2020 didn’t bring enough problems, your tax bill for the year could be impacted. Consulting a professional tax preparer between now and April
Drivers must know and follow medical requirements to maintain CDL
As it has in many areas, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has tightened the rules for obtaining a medical certification. The requirement for
How 2020 changed the job outlook from the driver’s seat
Anyone who’s followed the trucking industry knows that carriers who complain about a driver shortage are often regarded with the same disdain as the boy
Military veteran Ivan Hernandez named top military rookie, drives away in new Kenworth
Leadership. Discipline. Decisiveness. These are three qualities necessary for a successful military career. Those skills translate well to post-military careers, too. Like trucking. Ivan Hernandez