LLN (8/17/22) – Steve Tam of ACT Research says we are seeing things move in the used truck market. He joins us to talk about what the latest numbers tell us. Also, contract rates continue to decrease, which means we’re into the next phase of the freight market cycle, where contract rates should decrease throughout the rest of this year and into next. We’ll get the latest numbers on the Members Edge load board from DAT’s Dean Croke. And we’ve all heard plenty about all the problems that can go wi...
Aug 18, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/16/22) – An effort to serve the men and women who keep our country running is in full swing. We’ll talk with the two men behind Big Rig Coffee, a company that’s brewing up a cup of joe to give back to the most deserving workforce in the United States. Also, like anything you put into your truck, it’s important that it’s the right thing. Such is the case with grease. But how should you go about picking the right one? Nick Rivera of Mobil Delvac has some advice. And California lawmakers wan...
Aug 17, 2022•50 min
LLN (8/15/22) – Truckers have a number of systems that track information about them. And many of those are controversial. One that’s come to prominence recently is called Carrier 411. And a recent case illustrates some of the problems truckers have encountered. Also, speed limiters, underride guards and automatic emergency braking systems are a few of the topics discussed in this month’s issue of Land Line Magazine. We’ll take a look at some of the stories in the August/September issue. And the ...
Aug 16, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/12/22) – The cost of doing business went up in 2021. However, an updated report from the American Transportation Research Institute provides some evidence to that fact. Also, from a carrier that needs to learn hazmat rules to trucker who helped save a crash victim, SJ Munoz and Jami Jones will tell you who in recent news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. And like other people who drive a truck for a living, Marty Ellis is familiar with the various safety bl...
Aug 13, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/11/22) – The FMCSA is offering millions in grant money to get more military veterans into trucking. So how is that money going to be used and will it be effective? Also, several companies and organizations have recently requested exemptions from the entry-level driver training rule. And in the latest cases, OOIDA is again opposing those requests. And Massachusetts lawmakers have agreed to spend $11.3 billion on transportation, while Georgia’s governor has extended a fuel tax holiday for a...
Aug 12, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/10/22) – Fuel prices have trended down for nearly two months now – and industry experts expect that trend to continue for weeks or even months to come. Tom Kloza of OPIS is among them, but he also sees potential trouble on the horizon. Also, the dog days of summer are typically a time of stagnation in the spot market, and the trend appears to be holding true. Stephen Petit of DAT tells us which markets are hot and which are not. And for many years, Marty Ellis has been involved in one of ...
Aug 11, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/9/22) – We reported recently on problems that some truckers were having with a factoring company that had some carriers essentially shutting down. Now the situation has changed. But understanding what happened here might help some truckers avoid similar problems. Also, later this month, CVSA will conduct its annual Brake Safety Week. In addition, the expiration date on an important pandemic-related exemption is coming up as well. So what do you need to know? And Indiana lawmakers are movi...
Aug 10, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/8/22) – Efforts to pass a bill to pave more truck parking took a huge leap forward recently, but some major hurdles have yet to be overcome. We’ll find out where we are and what’s next. Also, a recent recipient of the Highway Angel award is being hailed a hero after stopping an overdosing motorist who was driving erratically. We’ll explain how he was able to stop the car and offer advice to the man behind the wheel. And do personal vehicle violations effect your commercial driving record?...
Aug 09, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/5/22) – California’s AB5 continues to confuse and anger truckers who simply want to run their businesses. But it’s also causing some to try to adapt to the new situation, and they’re telling Marty Ellis about it. Also, your truck is likely full of sensor and alarms that alert you to the first sign of a problem, and that is a good thing. Such is the case with an overheating tire. So what do we do when that alert comes through? And a driver with more than 40 years of experience behind the w...
Aug 06, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/4/22) – With CVSA’s Brake Safety Week coming up fast, there are relatively simple things you can be doing right now to make sure you don’t get dinged by inspectors. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will soon begin accepting nominations for its Advisory Committee on Underride Protection. Meanwhile, FMCSA is trying to recruit military veterans into the trucking industry. And a new law in Pennsylvania revises an existing measure to put an end to attempts to toll highw...
Aug 05, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/3/22) – Marty Ellis is hearing about a problem that some truckers are having with hours of service compliance – and it involves the time they spend using their trucks for personal conveyance. Also, ever look at your truck and trailer and think, that might be a good place to put an advertisement? Then you may be interested in what one start-up company is doing. And with shippers clearing out of their docks, activity on the MembersEdge loadboard went up last week. DAT's Dean Croke talks abo...
Aug 04, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/2/22) – Truckers see a lot of what goes on inside cars, and much of what they see qualifies as bad driving behaviors. But what if state troopers could see what truckers see? We’ll have a story of one place that happened. Also, there's lots to think about when you're out on the road, but perhaps one of the most important things is your health. So what areas should you focus on? Rolling Strong’s President Stephen Kane offers some tips. And Massachusetts lawmakers are proposing a nearly $11 ...
Aug 03, 2022•51 min
LLN (8/1/22) – They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that certainly holds true for one drive-thru that’s big enough for truck drivers. We’ll hear from the restaurant owner about the unique opportunity he’s giving drivers. Also, hours-of-service relief, AB5 and a massive payout following a deadly crash – Jami Jones of Land Line Magazine stops by to discuss and analyze some of the biggest stories going around in the trucking industry. And Congress is getting ready to head home for the August ...
Aug 02, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/29/22) – A new study suggests that new diesel fuels and more modern diesel engines can actually cut emissions faster than electric trucks. Tom Berg, contributing editor at Land Line Magazine, talks about what the study found and what it might mean for the industry. Also, this month saw progress on the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. Tyson Fisher joins us for another installment of The Parking Zone, where H.R. 2187 is discussed, along with the best truck stops in the nation and more....
Jul 30, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/28/22) – Factoring companies are something truckers just getting started frequently use. But a recent case is a cautionary tale of what can happen in a worst case scenario. Also, it’s a one stop shop that now holds two significant titles: the world’s largest and the country’s best. Iowa 80’s senior vice president talks about the new title, and whether there are any plans for the biggest truck stop to get even bigger. And Lewie Pugh of OOIDA reminds us, speaking up is your greatest tool fo...
Jul 29, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/27/22) – It’s no secret that the country is suffering through a truck parking shortage. Several groups are looking to change that by coming up with solutions. One of those groups is the I-81 Corridor Coalition. Also, trucking is a leading indicator of the direction of the economy, so what do the latest numbers tell us about how we’re doing? We’ll discuss that and more with Stephen Petit of DAT. And August is a time when members of Congress head back to their home districts to meet with co...
Jul 28, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/26/22) – FMCSA’s comment period for a proposed speed limiter mandate is over, but the fight is just beginning. Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of OOIDA, stops by Studio A to tell us what the Association is doing to keep the pressure on policymakers and lawmakers. Also, the OOIDA Foundation has put out a report on the freight market, with an eye toward helping owner-operators and other truckers navigate turbulent economic times. And broker problems are nothing new. But in some cases, ...
Jul 27, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/25/22) – Protests at the Port of Oakland over AB5 came to end today, but the issues behind them remain. So what’s next? Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office explains. Also, what would you do if you came up on a roll-over crash at the side of the road? One teacher in Arkansas showed what his answer was by taking action. And adding on extras is not unusual when it comes to truck insurance. The experts from OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department discuss some coverage you might want ...
Jul 26, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/22/22) – Many parts of the country are experiencing record hot weather right now. So how do you temper the summer heat, at least as far as your truck is concerned? We’ll talk with Bryan Martin, the boss man at Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, Mo. Also, wondering how to contest incorrect violations on a driver vehicle inspection report? We’ll find out from attorneys Jeff McConnell and James Mennella of Road Law. And Marty Ellis has found an interesting invention by a truck driver that he says ...
Jul 23, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/21/22) – A bill designed to pave more truck parking spaces has just passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. And it was sponsored by a congressman from Illinois. We’ll discuss the measure and why he introduced it with U.S. Rep. Mike Bost. Also, the comment period has closed on the FMCSA’s speed limiter proposal. Thousands of truckers made their voices heard. And on the one hand, lawmakers in Pennsylvania are trying to ease truck registration in the state. On th...
Jul 22, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/20/22) – A U.S. House committee has give its stamp of approval to the truck parking bill, which means the effort starts to get it on the House floor. We’ll find out what’s next from Collin Long of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office. Also, for the past four years, Ed and Deborah Kingdon have spent nearly every waking moment – and most sleeping moments – together as a driving team for a North Carolina trucking company. So when they were picked to haul the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, it prese...
Jul 21, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/19/22) – An animal shelter in Memphis has a problem – and they’re hoping truckers might be part of the solution. They’ve introduced a new pet adoption program designed with truck drivers in mind. Also, driver assist technology is all the talk these days, but in reality, it’s not a new concept. In fact, it runs the gamut from anti-lock braking systems, which have been around for many years, to new technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, lane assist and the like. And Arizona’s go...
Jul 20, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/18/22) – Later this week, a bill that would pave more truck parking spaces nationwide will get its day in Congress. Meanwhile, the secretary of transportation will report to Congress on how the implementation of the infrastructure law is going. Also, there are lots of ways you can pretty up your rig, but few things have as much impact as paint. However, you now have an option – vinyl wraps. We’ll hear from Bryan Martin of the Chrome Shop Mafia. Mark Schremmer stops by to tell us about wha...
Jul 19, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/15/22) – A court decision regarding the EPA has truckers wondering how it will affect them, emission regulations on trucks and other federal agencies. We’ll hear about that and more from Tom Crowley and Jim Jefferson of OOIDA’s Business Services Department. Also, keeping your truck on the straight and narrow isn’t as hard as it may seem. Mike Steiner of Michelin North America joins us to talk about keeping your truck in alignment – and why you don’t necessarily have to rely on a professio...
Jul 16, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/14/22) – With California now having the green light to implement AB5, owner-operators are understandably on edge. The law is likely to lead to a snowball effect in the industry – and one of those effects is likely going to hit the supply chain. Also, what is the definition of the word “broker”? It seems a pretty simple question, but it’s spurred the FMCSA to ask for input from the public. OOIDA says it’s entirely the wrong question to ask. And a New Jersey bill would prevent the state fro...
Jul 15, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/13/22) – It’s mid-July. Demand for trucks is down and rates are soft. So where’s the good news in the spot market? Stephen Petit of DAT tells us. Also, one of Canada's major telecommunications companies had a nationwide outage recently that affected more than 12 million Canadians. We’ll talk with a Canadian OOIDA board member about the outage’s impact on truckers. And the Federal Trade Commission published a blog recent that’s more of a warning about where your personal data goes, and wha...
Jul 14, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/12/22) – West Virginia has authorized the use of fully autonomous vehicles, including commercial vehicles, on the state’s roads, while Georgia’s governor has extended a fuel tax holiday for another month. Also, is this a good time to start a trucking company? People are asking that question, and many more, when they call into OOIDA headquarters. We’ll get some answers. And many people aren’t even sure what shingles is, but if you’ve ever had it, you’ll never forget it. On the upside, it’s...
Jul 13, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/11/22) – Last week, the Federal Highway Administration proposed setting targets states and cities would be required to meet regarding greenhouse gas emissions. And, needless to say, it’s generating some controversy. And needless to say, it’s generating some controversy. Also, in an effort to help owner-operators understand the current and future state of the freight market, the OOIDA Foundation has created a monthly market update. Andrew King, the Foundation’s research analyst, talks abou...
Jul 12, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/8/22) –A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial called “The Wall That Heals” is once again making its way through the U.S. An OOIDA life member has many trucking industry awards under her belt, but says being honored with a custom-wrapped Special Olympics truck might just be the most rewarding. And if you’ve been doing things the same way for a long time, it may be time to review your current business model. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:21 – Custom-wrapped Special Olympics truck. 25:15 – The Wal...
Jul 09, 2022•51 min
LLN (7/7/22) – If you’re confused about all these fuel tax holidays and what it means for your IFTA filings, you’re hardly alone. We clear up some of the confusion. The clock on the comment period for FMCSA’s speed limiter proposal is ticking down quickly. Plus, lawmakers in one Southern state have been thinking an awful lot about truckers lately. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:21 – Fuel tax holidays and IFTA. 25:15 – Speed limiter mandate. 40:03 – New Louisiana laws and truckers....
Jul 08, 2022•51 min
