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.
As demand remains steady, rates rise but number of drivers falls
After a brief slowdown due to severe weather in February, freight levels roared back in March and are expected to continue climbing in the...
‘Insurance act’ brings discussion of safety measures to lower rates
To no one’s surprise, Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.) in mid-April reintroduced his “Insurance Act” that would increase minimum liability insurance coverage mandates for...
Carrier Profitability: Shared metrics, meetings, guidance key benefits of TPP
Many industries have advocacy groups, and there are many reasons for joining. The Truckload Carriers Association, however, has sweetened the deal with its TCA...
Learning to follow: Autonomous technology may be ready before the rules are
The term “platooning” has mostly faded from trucking media, but it’s a huge part of the march to total autonomy at Pittsburgh-based Locomation. According...
Common sense, caution offer protection against cargo theft
There’s a lot to consider when planning a route, from transit times to fueling, weather, rest breaks, tolls, personal time for meals and showers,...
Road partners: Factors to consider before team driving
In the current economic climate, opportunities abound for drivers. Some of those opportunities involve teaming with another driver, an option that often pays better...
Attitude is key to minimizing distraction hazards when driving
Every driver understands the danger of being distracted while driving. At the same time, every driver gets distracted. The results can be deadly.The National...
May Day, 1 year later: Interest in broker transparency waned; new protest planned
It’s been a year since truckers from two Facebook groups — “Mayday 2020” and “The Disrespected Trucker” — plus supporters gathered in Washington to...
New Class 8 truck sales aren’t expected to continue at March pace
In March, U.S. sales of Class 8 trucks achieved a spectacular rebound from February results with sales of 22,512 units, according to data received...
Thin red line: Wisconsin trucker, firefighter pursues dual passions
It’s not uncommon for someone to have to choose between making a living and pursuing something they are passionate about. Dan Ravenhorst of Eau...
Understanding Clearinghouse rules is essential for small trucking businesses
Starting up your own trucking business with your own authority is a big step that adds complexity to your business. Growing your business from...
Oil, diesel prices expected to stabilize to pre-COVID levels
Around the world, demand for oil continues to rise. The result is, as always, increased prices at the pump — and the trucking industry...
February weather brought temporary setback to trucking volumes
A polar vortex that invaded deep into the Southern U.S. hit freight volumes hard in February. Travel was halted on icebound Texas highways, oil...
Passing down passion: Pennsylvania family shares a father-son love of trucking
Pretty much every driver wants a great start to a trucking career. For Lamar Buckwalter, owner of Leola, Pennsylvania-based Buckwalter Trucking, the end of...
Different trailer types help to differentiate truck-driving jobs
Spend some time on any highway that’s frequented by trucks and you’ll soon realize that trailers come in an amazing variety of shapes and...
Service centers, dealerships, technology offer options for emergency maintenance
At some point every driver will experience a truck breakdown while on the road. Sometimes there’s no choice but to pull to the side...
New truck orders far outpacing current production levels
If you plan to order a new Class 8 truck in 2021, waiting may not be wise. That’s because each new month brings more...
Vaccine, stimulus will impact trucking conditions in the near term
Higher freight volumes got the year 2021 off to a good start, according to reports from several industry sources.The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) seasonally...
Driver Q&A: On the road with Lee Strebel
Owner-operator Lee Strebel answered a few questions about his career on the road in a recent interview with The Trucker.Q: Where do you call...
New vs. used: There’s much to consider when looking to purchase a truck
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward owning your own trucking business or you’re a seasoned owner-operator, at some point you’ll have to consider...
