New technology, old habits can help drivers get the most from tires
Read the advertisements for commercial truck tires and you’ll see all sorts of claims about “new” technology in the design and materials that make the
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
Driven to trucking: A love of driving brought Joanne O’Shaughnessy to a successful career
Anyone who has spent time on a working farm knows that opportunities for driving all kinds of equipment abound. That’s where Joanne O’Shaughnessy developed her
Slowly rising freight rates, increases in shipments show continuing economic recovery during pandemic
The number of shipments available increased in July, pushing freight rates higher while diesel prices remained 20% lower than last year. Despite these positive factors,
Running strong: Zac Cooper enjoys farm life, success as an owner-operator
RATTAN, Okla. — Making a living isn’t easy in farm country. It takes perseverance and adaptability, two traits that owner-operator Zac Cooper has in abundance.
Going nowhere: Republicans gear up to halt Democrats’ bill with hefty insurance minimum
No one would deny that liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage is a necessary part of any trucking business. Controlling the cost of
Fading fast: Hope for new highway funding bill dwindling amidst D.C. bickering
The year 2020 has been a strange year for several reasons, but there’s one factor that is as normal as can be. Political posturing and
No agreement, no surprise: Trump, Biden far apart on trucking industry issues
In a year that has already seen a pandemic accompanied by an economic collapse, U.S. voters will select the president and vice president, along with
Whether on the highway or the high seas, Melissa Metcalfe sails along
Always use caution when answering a “help wanted” ad. That’s the advice of trucking veteran Melissa Metcalfe, who found such an ad years ago on
With a nearly life-long desire to drive a truck, Jeremy Ward is now ‘living the dream’
GLADWIN, Mich. — The phrase “living the dream” is usually spoken as a whimsical answer to the question, “How are you?” In the case of
WIT’s July member of the month offers encouragement to fellow drivers, women interested in trucking
JOPLIN, Mo. — “We live in a beautiful country, and trucking is a great way to see it.” Those words might sound like a recruiting
Hakuna matata: U.S. Army veteran, owner-operator has ‘no worries’ attitude, dedicates her truck to her sister
When a graphic artist decides to buy her own tractor, you’d expect the paint job to be interesting. That’s certainly true of Carla Brown’s lime
June sees rise in Class 8 truck production, but sales still lag behind
June U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks rose 42.7% over dismal May sales figures but didn’t come close to matching June 2019 numbers. According
House subcommittee approves huge 2021 budget increase for FMCSA, other agencies
WASHINGTON — The House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee passed its version of the U.S. budget for 2021 on July
Family tradition: TJ Kounkel is a third-generation trucker with award-winning Peterbilt
MERRILL, Iowa — Farming and trucking are two professions that often run in families. TJ Kounkel’s family has a tradition of both. In addition to
Factoring can keep owner-operators’ cash flowing in uncertain times
One of the most difficult things about owning and operating a small trucking business is cash flow. Company drivers and owner-operators who are leased to
Freight volumes, rates climbing back up, but progress is moving slowly
As expected, May freight level reports were mixed, with some showing improvement over April and some remaining near April’s dismal levels. The American Trucking Associations
Mexico-based carriers can still operate in United States under USMCA
For years after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect on Jan. 1, 1994, the trucking industry in the U.S. worried about
Mayday, mayday! A tale of two sides of a dispute over spot rates
Frustration over spot freight rates bottoming out due to the COVID-19 pandemic drew more than 100 small-business owner-operators to Washington, D.C., for a “May Day”
Finally flexible: Carriers, drivers applaud HOS revisions
Long-awaited revisions to the hours of service (HOS) regulations were released on May 14 to mixed reviews. The changes, published in the Federal Register on
Latest amendment to INVEST Act would strip $2 million liability insurance requirement
Those interested in repairing our country’s infrastructure were dismayed to learn that an amendment to the INVEST in America Act being considered in the House