Owner-Operator Or Misclassified Employee?

The debate between who is an owner-operator and who is a misclassified employee has been raging all year. It’s an issue that has been aggressively pushed by the Obama administration and labor unions. Now, new guidance from the Department of Labor (DOL) could end the use of truck drivers as independent contractors. Is this just … Read more

Are Cheap Trucking Tires Worth The Cost?

Yup. We’re talking about tires again. Why? Because they’re important. And with the U.S. Environmental Agency’s recent SmartWay list expansion, we are about to experience a flood of cheap tires on the market. Consider this: Last year there were 325 steer, drive, and all-position tires on the EPA’s list. Now, in the last twelve months … Read more

How To Start A Trucking Business? Part 1 – Plans and Regulations

With the nation’s economy still growing, and freight demand still rising, the need for capable trucking companies has never been greater. The marketplace is growing, and commercial goods need to be moved from city-to-city and state-to-state. This need creates new opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs who enjoy both their independence and hefty paydays. One thing for … Read more

Is This The Future Of Trucking?

As technology changes nearly every sector of our lives, trucking will likely be at the forefront of that wave. There are innumerable areas in which technological advances can be used to enhance commercial trucks and the jobs of those who drive them. And although trucking has been a willing participant in the era of technological … Read more

How California Impacts Trucking

It’s no secret that California leads the nation in implementing new regulations. Due to its sheer size, rules written by the Golden State tend to be adopted by other states and even influence federal rulemaking. This is especially true in the area of environmental and fuel regulatory standards. Currently, California has some of the most … Read more

Are Inexperienced Truck Drivers More Risky?

As the employment squeeze inevitably drags on, more and more fleets are resorting to lowering their standards. Carriers need to fill seats, and if the government is talking about lowering the commercial driving age to 18, there’s nothing wrong with an inexperienced driver, right? It’s no secret that companies are very motivated to get someone … Read more

Who Is An Independent Contractor in Trucking World?

The challenges brought on by a shortage in truck drivers won’t be solved by misclassifying employees. Can fleets afford to classify their drives as independent contractors? There is a loud chorus of voices out there calling for truck drivers to be classified as employees, regardless of how it impacts the bottom line. What would the … Read more

An Economic and Regulatory Update for Trucking Industry

We’ve been spending a lot of time talking about the truck, trailer and its equipment, but have only discussed the economic and regulatory environment once or twice in the recent past. Perhaps it’s time to readjust our spotlight. There’s been a lot of news out that the economy is improving and trucking is on track … Read more

What’s In Store For The Dry Van?

Without the trailer, the truck has little use. The fact is, our modern commercial transport system rides on the back of the box. This is the piece of equipment that delivers the gold. For some, it may be easy to categorize the dry van as nothing more than a box on wheels. In reality, the … Read more

Tips For Maintaining Wide-Base Tires

Whether you’re talking about retreads or low-rolling-resistance, wide-base tires should be part of the topic. But what do you really know about wide-base tires and their care? The fact is, as with any other tire, proper care will ensure your wide-base single tires have a long lifespan and deliver a significant return on your investment. … Read more