Jim Park
Jim Park was a CDL driver and owner-operator from 1978 until 1998, when he began his second career as a trucking journalist. During that career transition, he hosted an overnight radio show on a Hamilton, Ontario radio station and later went on to anchor the trucking news in SiriusXM's Road Dog Trucking channel. Jim is a regular contributor to Today's Trucking and Trucknews.com, and produces Focus On and On the Spot test drive videos.
Truck manufacturers look to up the voltage on electrical systems
TORONTO, Ont. -- Vehicle electrical engineers are like kids in a sandbox these days. The transition to 48-volt vehicle architecture represents nearly endless potential for improvement in efficiency and functionality of electrical components. It's almost like starting from scratch -- in more ways than one.
Q&A with Nikola Motor CEO Trevor Milton
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz -- Nikola Motor CEO Trevor Milton has introduced his Nikola Two hydrogen-electric truck to the world. We sat down with him to discuss his thoughts on fueling infrastructure, the competition, hydrogen vs. electric trucks, and why he thinks truck drivers will be eager to switch from diesel.
Will emission-reducing tires sacrifice traction?
TORONTO, Ont. -- Drivers fret about traction all the time. They get pretty excited even if they just perceive that a certain tread type doesn't look grippy enough. But will the next round of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission cuts and their demands for tires with lower rolling resistance cause traction problems or compromise braking?
Is your truck getting the most out of its oil?
TORONTO, Ont. -- The last truck I owned was a 1991 Peterbilt 379 with a Detroit Series 60 engine. I had to change the oil in that thing every 10,000 miles (16,000 km). At about $200 a pop every time I pulled the drain plug, oil changes took a significant bite out of my maintenance budget. I'm not in a big hurry to buy another truck, but I have to say I'm envious of current truck owners who can get away with two or three oil changes per year -- in some cases, maybe only one.
Searching for the right wheel bearing adjustments
TORONTO, Ont. -- The tolerable end play for truck wheel bearings lies somewhere between the thickness of a human hair and a sheet of paper. In other words, it's perfectly acceptable to adjust wheel bearings so that they are just a little bit loose, but not too loose. How do you set your end play?
Truck air systems are under pressure in cold temperatures
TORONTO, Ont. -- Cold temperatures and water can lead to only one outcome, and ice has no place in a truck's air system. Frozen moisture can disable compressors, along with any of the multitude of air valves in the system. Plunging temperatures, like we have seen across much of the Lower 48 in recent weeks will be put air systems to the test. Hopefully your systems are not found wanting.
