Cliff Abbott
Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Like trucking industry, railroads working to reduce emissions, increase fuel economy
There’s no question that many drivers have experienced frustration over emissions mandates by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that have changed trucking. Both new...
As a fourth-generation trucker, Ryan Tune puts his chromed-out Peterbilt to work for the...
Imagine making a plan to order a new truck — make, model, engine, transmission, even the paint color. Then imagine finding that truck on...
Sales of new, used Class 8 trucks climb in response to record freight rates;...
Class 8 trucks sold at pre-pandemic levels on the U.S. market in August, reaching the highest numbers of the year. Orders for trucks to...
New technology, old habits can help drivers get the most from tires
Read the advertisements for commercial truck tires and you’ll see all sorts of claims about “new” technology in the design and materials that make...
Driven to trucking: A love of driving brought Joanne O’Shaughnessy to a successful career
Anyone who has spent time on a working farm knows that opportunities for driving all kinds of equipment abound. That’s where Joanne O’Shaughnessy developed...
Slowly rising freight rates, increases in shipments show continuing economic recovery during pandemic
The number of shipments available increased in July, pushing freight rates higher while diesel prices remained 20% lower than last year. Despite these positive...
Running strong: Zac Cooper enjoys farm life, success as an owner-operator
RATTAN, Okla. — Making a living isn’t easy in farm country. It takes perseverance and adaptability, two traits that owner-operator Zac Cooper has in...
Going nowhere: Republicans gear up to halt Democrats’ bill with hefty insurance minimum
No one would deny that liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage is a necessary part of any trucking business. Controlling the cost...
Fading fast: Hope for new highway funding bill dwindling amidst D.C. bickering
The year 2020 has been a strange year for several reasons, but there’s one factor that is as normal as can be. Political posturing...
No agreement, no surprise: Trump, Biden far apart on trucking industry issues
In a year that has already seen a pandemic accompanied by an economic collapse, U.S. voters will select the president and vice president, along...
Whether on the highway or the high seas, Melissa Metcalfe sails along
Always use caution when answering a “help wanted” ad. That’s the advice of trucking veteran Melissa Metcalfe, who found such an ad years ago...
With a nearly life-long desire to drive a truck, Jeremy Ward is now ‘living...
GLADWIN, Mich. — The phrase “living the dream” is usually spoken as a whimsical answer to the question, “How are you?” In the case...
WIT’s July member of the month offers encouragement to fellow drivers, women interested in...
JOPLIN, Mo. — “We live in a beautiful country, and trucking is a great way to see it.” Those words might sound like a...
Hakuna matata: U.S. Army veteran, owner-operator has ‘no worries’ attitude, dedicates her truck to...
When a graphic artist decides to buy her own tractor, you’d expect the paint job to be interesting. That’s certainly true of Carla Brown’s...
June sees rise in Class 8 truck production, but sales still lag behind
June U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks rose 42.7% over dismal May sales figures but didn’t come close to matching June 2019 numbers....
House subcommittee approves huge 2021 budget increase for FMCSA, other agencies
WASHINGTON — The House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee passed its version of the U.S. budget for 2021 on...
Family tradition: TJ Kounkel is a third-generation trucker with award-winning Peterbilt
MERRILL, Iowa — Farming and trucking are two professions that often run in families. TJ Kounkel’s family has a tradition of both. In addition to...
Factoring can keep owner-operators’ cash flowing in uncertain times
One of the most difficult things about owning and operating a small trucking business is cash flow. Company drivers and owner-operators who are leased...
Freight volumes, rates climbing back up, but progress is moving slowly
As expected, May freight level reports were mixed, with some showing improvement over April and some remaining near April’s dismal levels. The American Trucking Associations...
Mexico-based carriers can still operate in United States under USMCA
For years after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect on Jan. 1, 1994, the trucking industry in the U.S. worried...
