Overdrive Extra

'Don't hold your breath' on a trucking turnaround in 2025
With high hopes for the incoming Trump administration and the new year, Clifford Petersen warns against waiting for the cavalry on overtime pay for drivers, parking and/or any positive regulatory push. All will require plenty oxygen.
December 13, 2024
Crowded Highway Scene Trucks
A freight world without brokers: 'Carriers United' daring to do more than just dream
With time, this small fleet owner aims to build what he calls an "army of carriers" to deliver on goals: namely, to "put money back in the pockets of the carriers" in service to shippers, and relieve drivers of parking fees, tow threats.
December 11, 2024
Carriers United logo
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BlueParrott B450-XT Headset, Cummins Edition
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Heavyweight Noise-Cancellation Meets Outstanding Comfort
November 18, 2024
BlueParrott B450-XT Headset, Cummins Edition
Sleeper berth: Should more truckers be able to split as they see fit?
Essentially, that's what team operators hauling for McKee foods have been able to do -- including 5/5- and 6/4-hour combinations -- since 2015, when granted an exemption. Weigh in with this update utilizing Overdrive's new poll module.
July 10, 2024
Mix Collage 10 Jul 2024 03 09 Pm 1314
Overdrive Extra
Post-election optimism yields opportunity: A new start for your trucking business
A big shift in mood post-election -- with so many owners having hung on for months, even years for the chance to move forward with optimism -- delivers opportunity for a reset. Yet don't let knee-jerk reaction overtake the necessity of careful planning.
December 3, 2024
Truck On Mountain Highway Making Turn Ahead
Overdrive Extra
We're thankful! And: Kick the tires of Overdrive's new 'Load Profit Analyzer'
A message of thanks to all the owner-operators in the audience. And: First look at a load profit comparison calculator we'd love for you to kick the tires on. Take a run through Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer.
November 28, 2024
Bruce Roche's LTL 9000 with thanksgiving message from Overdrive
Overdrive Extra
Broker 'confessions' novel aims at seedy underbelly of digital freight culture
"Confessions of a Freight Broker" is authored by a former broker and here reviewed by Long Haul Paul, who notes it's time for a serious conversation about money, and how much of it in trucking is making its way to those behind the wheel.
November 27, 2024
Confessions Of A Freight Broker Book Cover
Overdrive Extra
Time to put an owner-operator behind the wheel of FMCSA?
"I like a challenge," said owner-operator Lee Schmitt of his campaign to head FMCSA. Schmitt has been working the incoming Trump administration, and promises to bring experience, hard work to the agency.
November 26, 2024
Lee and Lisa Schmitt -- their 2005 Peterbilt is shown in the background image here parked in past outside the U.S. Capitol building.
Overdrive Extra
You don’t get any do-overs: A word of caution about expanding by leasing on owner-operators
"Once it goes wrong, just like it did for me, it’s too late." The words of W. Joel Baker here offer a warning for one-truck owners against too-quick expansion without careful preparation and due diligence around operators you're contracting with.
November 13, 2024
Large Cars And Guitars 2024 Stage, Surrounded By Trucks
Overdrive Extra
The 'death-defying adventures,' songwriting, rig-rock rise of The Franklin County Trucking Company
The bad boys of trucking music are back with their fourth studio album in seven years, “The Death-Defying Adventures of The Franklin County Trucking Company.” It's a doozy of a listen, and Long Haul Paul here details the record with the bandleaders.
November 6, 2024
Death Defying Adventures of the Franklin Country Trucking Company record cover
Overdrive Extra
Academia to OTR: Leased operator Wes Harman and 'The Bee' 2024 Cascadia
Prime-leased Wes Harman has almost paid the rig off in full. When Long Haul Paul met Harman, he notes, "I could have as easily believed the former English professor turned reefer hauler to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 trucking concern."
October 29, 2024
Wes Harman and his 2024 Freightliner Cascadia, 'The Bee'
Overdrive Extra
$1/gal: A fuel holy grail?
Or just an example of the limits of technology? In this case, despite two different fuel-price-info apps showing $1/gal. at the same South Dakota truck stop, turns out ...
October 23, 2024
$1/gal. showing at the Crossroads Truck Stop, Colman, S.D.
Overdrive Extra
After the accident: Understanding downtime claims for owner-operators and small fleets
Attorney Kelsea Eckert notes truck owners have a right to downtime compensation from at-fault parties in most states. Those parties' insurers, however, may not volunteer the information. It’s important to prove the loss, push for rightful compensation.
October 22, 2024
Loaded Flatbed Stuck In Crash Traffic
Small Fleet Champ
Four finalist fleets to square off at NASTC show
Overdrive's Small Fleet Championship advances to the ring, with a panel of judges selecting four finalists, two in each size division, to meet in Nashville, Tennessee, Nov. 7 for the final rounds. Meet the finalists here.
October 11, 2024
Small Fleet Championship 2024 finalists
Overdrive Extra
When customer facilities get too risky for business
You are the "'captain of that 18-wheeled ship,' and it's your responsibility, ultimately, to make decisions that keep you and others safe." --Gary Buchs on risk-management lessons learned in collaboration with shipper/receiver customers to improve.
October 2, 2024
Getty Images 481073488
Overdrive Extra
Will you vote? Resources on registration, early voting, absentee ballots, more
"I’m here to tell you your single vote matters. Just a bit more than half of eligible voters typically cast votes. Low turnout ... fundamentally means individual votes carry significant weight." --Overdrive contributor Gary Buchs
September 18, 2024
Vote Gov
Overdrive Extra
How truckers can flip the script on the negativity trap
How to overcome automatic negative thoughts (ANTs), stuck in an eastbound traffic jam with westbound clear. Thoughts of persecution (usually only within one’s mind) bleed easily into real relationships. Yet there's a path forward past the ANTs.
September 13, 2024
Traffic backed up on bridge
Overdrive Extra
Trucking on the National Mall: Tony Justice to perform at TenFour D.C. event this year
Fred Bowerman, a longtime organizer, hopes for improved participation in this year's TenFour event. As this video makes clear, sponsorships from a variety of trucking vendors, organizations and fleets have bolstered participating drivers' plans.
September 11, 2024
Dave Mitchell with his 1990s Western Star
Overdrive Extra
Truck parking bullpens at shippers: Make it mandatory?
Long Haul Paul asks this question after an uncommonly positive experience with the truck bullpen and a welcoming attitude at C&S Wholesale Grocers in Plant City, Florida. Here, point of view from five stakeholders, from owner-ops to safety directors.
September 3, 2024
bullpen at C&S Wholesale Grocers, Plant City, Florida
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Top Stories
Trucker of the Year finalists, 2024
Trucker of the Year
Meet the finalists for Overdrive's 2024 Trucker of the Year honor
Nearing the conclusion of Overdrive's 2024 Trucker of the Year award program, judges laud 10 Truckers of the Month and name three finalists for the ultimate win, to be announced in the new year.
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Pride & Polish
'Paradise Express' at 3 million miles and counting: Stunning big-bunk '03 Pete 379
Mechanics using a computer to diagnose a truck problem
Equipment
Used-truck pricing, value: A role for aftertreatment maintenance
heavy truck traffic on highway
Regulations
Regulatory update: AEBs, speed limiters, more expected in 2025
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Pride & Polish
Overdrive’s annual Pride & Polish virtual truck show attracts entries from across the nation showcasing show-quality design, mechanical ingenuity and plenty of trucking-business pride. Find recent-history awards shows, in-depth features about the winners, and more.
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