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.
Kenworth projects strong vocational market
RENTON, WA -- The first half of 2017 has been good to the trucking industry, and to the vocational market in particular, and going into the second half of the year the underlying economic fundamentals look equally promising. That's the view from Renton, Washington, where Paccar vice president and Kenworth general manager Mike Dozier addressed reporters at a press event on Friday, July 21.
IN PRINT — Log Jam: U.S. deadline for ELDs approaches
There are still plenty of questions being posed by drivers, owner-operators and small fleets as the industry moves ever closer to the U.S. mandate for Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). Here are a few things to consider before the December 18 deadline arrives.
IN PRINT — Tanks a Lot: Leave some tanker spec’ing to experts
TORONTO, ON -- There used to be good money in the liquid bulk business. The required equipment is so specialized that it presented somewhat of a barrier to entry into the market. That's still the case, but there are more players in the game now, and competition is keeping rates at near-1980s levels. Fleets, both private and for-hire, are now trying to make up for the low rates by optimizing their trailer spec's to increase utilization and carrying capacity.
The Downspeeding Decision: Can it work with Canadian spec’s?
Spec'ing powertrains for Canadian operations is a tricky job. Americans take their powertrain spec's pretty seriously as well, but how tough is it to get something that will move 80,000-pound loads on interstate highways? To be fair, our southern neighbors are always pushing the proverbial envelope, but tricky takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to downspeeding.
Electric Semi: More sizzle than steak?
A few days ago we got our first glimpse of what might be Tesla's Electric Semi, as company CEO Elon Musk calls it. It looks futuristic, but it also looks like a high-roof over-the-road sleeper truck - which is exactly the wrong application for a fully electric drivetrain.
Alcoa considers black aluminum wheels
Are you ready for black aluminum wheels? Alcoa is dipping its foot into Detroit auto culture to see if there's enough interest in a black Dura-Bright wheel for trucks. Many of the full-size North American pickup trucks now offer black wheels as an option, and the company believes there's is significant interest in the black Detroit look to warrant producing such a wheel for trucks.
IN PRINT — Rust Never Sleeps: There are ways to combat corrosion
It's too bad that corrosion isn't a line item on a budget. Maybe it's best that it isn't. The figure would shock you. It's one thing to track replacement costs for brake parts and wheels that are prematurely removed from service, but many of your electronics-related problems likely relate to corrosion, too. Emissions systems faults, Antilock Brake System faults, lighting and more probably stem from corrosion. Your budget line item should probably include downtime as well as the cost of the failed part.
When good isn’t good enough
Should "professional" drivers be held to a higher standard when it comes to care and control of their vehicles, and indeed, the actions they take or don't take to avoid a collision? An Ontario appeals court judge thinks they should be and has ruled accordingly. I think the decision opens some dangerous doors for Ontario truck drivers.
SPECIAL! Kenworth T880 Test Drive in 360° Panorama Video
MARSHALL, MI -- What could be better than a test drive video of a spanking new T880 on some really rough terrain? A total 360-degree panorama video, of course. You choose the view; just click, hold and drag the mouse to change the camera angle. Check out this Kenworth T800 dump with an Ohio spec, loaded to 90,000 lb gross vehicle weight working its way up and down 20 percent grades at the Eaton Corp. Truck Proving Grounds in Marshall, MI. Equipment Editor Jim Park pilots the truck through a test course showing off the pulling power of the Paccar MX-11 engine, the shifting prowess of the Eaton UltraShift Plus 8-LL transmission and the gravel-gripping traction of the Hendrickson HMX 460 rear suspension.
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