Strong US Class 8 sales for May reflect atypical pattern for freight market
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks in May were a virtual repeat of April results. Manufacturers reported sales of 19,764, just 34 trucks fewer
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
Proper pre-trips and a little know-how can help you pass the next brake inspection
Your brakes may be a problem. In fact, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspectors placed 19% of vehicles inspected out of service (OOS) during the
Trucking provides off time opportunities that can promote health and well being
If you drive a truck over the road (OTR) for a living, chances are you struggle with work-life balance. If you have a family, they
When new federal regulations are formed, truckers’ voices matter
Truck drivers know a lot about government regulations. After all, their entire day must fit within parameters set by the government. From restrictions on driving
Not all truckers drive Class 8s: Chassis cabs, other smaller trucks are hot right now
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Trucking is an industry that offers a huge variety of opportunities for drivers, but it’s often assumed that “trucker” is a
Truck sales are slowing — but not enough to bring equilibrium to the freight market
In a market where freight rates are suppressed because there are too many available trucks, the trucking industry is responding by (you guessed it!) buying
Too many trucks for available freight keeps rates at unprofitable levels
It was “more of the same” for freight markets in April, according to industry sources. The amount of freight that’s available to haul declined once
Don’t take your fifth wheel for granted
The photos were stark. On March 1, 2024, a chain-reaction crash on the Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky, resulted in the driver of a
Owner-ops are responsible for personal benefits as well as pay, business costs
Truck owners are usually aware of the costs associated with being in business for themselves. Those expenses go far beyond fuel and maintenance to keep
Influx of summer travelers can create added hazards for commercial vehicles
An old joke asserts that “In <insert any region here> there are only two seasons — winter and road construction.” It’s certainly true that more
Want to start a trucking company? Make sure you have a solid business plan
The trucking industry abounds with stories of carriers that began with a single truck and a person with a dream. The entrepreneurial spirit is still
State of freight: Current conditions will be slow to improve, say FTR analysts
There are too many trucks competing for too little freight in the North American market, driving rates down. This is not news to most carriers
Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse reports highlight needs but offer few solutions
When it comes to Congressional action, movement is often excruciatingly slow. “Unfortunately, it is rather stagnant up there” is a comment that could have come
Best fleets practice ‘ruthless reflection’ to make their company a place people want to work
Running a trucking company is hard work, especially in the current economic climate. While some carriers are struggling — or even shutting their doors —
Building broker relationships is key to success for owner-operators
As an owner-operator, once you’ve purchased your truck there are several ways to use it to produce income. The safest — and least expensive, in
Better days ahead: Reports show freight market is slowly improving
March did not see much change to current freight conditions as shipment numbers and rates continued to bounce along the bottom. One indicator, published by
Impending EPA mandates for Class 8 trucks could be spurring pre-buys
Sales of new Class 8 trucks fell further behind last year’s pace in March, according to data received from Wards Intelligence, just as analysts expected.
Safety Series: Are you ready for International Roadcheck 2024?
Let’s face it: No driver enjoys being stopped and going through a Department of Transportation (DOT) inspection. However, those inspections help ensure that truck owners
Job Resources: Defensive driving skills are critical for professional truckers
While it may seem strange to find a story about defensive driving under the heading of “Job Resources,” it actually makes complete sense when you
Key provision of Biden’s emission reduction plan knocked down by courts
WASHINGTON — A significant portion of President Joe Biden’s plan to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions was dealt a blow in separate federal court rulings