Access to industry data and insights is key to success for business owners
The trucking industry has experienced some wild fluctuations in the past four years. One of the most telling signs is the number of new carrier
Cliff Abbott
- About 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.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
Group frustrated by FMCSA’s reluctance to allow hair testing results in Clearinghouse
As pretty much anyone in the trucking industry would agree, it’s important to ensure commercial drivers are alert and prepared to react quickly to changing
Independent contractor classification still murky under new DOL rule
When California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the state’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) into law September 18, 2019, the trucking industry was quick to voice its
Weathering the storm: Capacity slowly eroding but not fast enough to change the freight market
Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought global economic conditions that had not been seen for generations. Four years later, the disease that started it
Spot rate improvement in May: New trend or just another bounce along the bottom?
Maybe it’s just that the freight market is getting tired of the gloomy predictions for the rest of 2024, but there was quite a bit
Strong US Class 8 sales for May reflect atypical pattern for freight market
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks in May were a virtual repeat of April results. Manufacturers reported sales of 19,764, just 34 trucks fewer
Proper pre-trips and a little know-how can help you pass the next brake inspection
Your brakes may be a problem. In fact, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspectors placed 19% of vehicles inspected out of service (OOS) during the
Trucking provides off time opportunities that can promote health and well being
If you drive a truck over the road (OTR) for a living, chances are you struggle with work-life balance. If you have a family, they
When new federal regulations are formed, truckers’ voices matter
Truck drivers know a lot about government regulations. After all, their entire day must fit within parameters set by the government. From restrictions on driving
Not all truckers drive Class 8s: Chassis cabs, other smaller trucks are hot right now
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Trucking is an industry that offers a huge variety of opportunities for drivers, but it’s often assumed that “trucker” is a
Truck sales are slowing — but not enough to bring equilibrium to the freight market
In a market where freight rates are suppressed because there are too many available trucks, the trucking industry is responding by (you guessed it!) buying
Too many trucks for available freight keeps rates at unprofitable levels
It was “more of the same” for freight markets in April, according to industry sources. The amount of freight that’s available to haul declined once
Don’t take your fifth wheel for granted
The photos were stark. On March 1, 2024, a chain-reaction crash on the Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky, resulted in the driver of a
Owner-ops are responsible for personal benefits as well as pay, business costs
Truck owners are usually aware of the costs associated with being in business for themselves. Those expenses go far beyond fuel and maintenance to keep
Influx of summer travelers can create added hazards for commercial vehicles
An old joke asserts that “In <insert any region here> there are only two seasons — winter and road construction.” It’s certainly true that more
Want to start a trucking company? Make sure you have a solid business plan
The trucking industry abounds with stories of carriers that began with a single truck and a person with a dream. The entrepreneurial spirit is still
State of freight: Current conditions will be slow to improve, say FTR analysts
There are too many trucks competing for too little freight in the North American market, driving rates down. This is not news to most carriers
Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse reports highlight needs but offer few solutions
When it comes to Congressional action, movement is often excruciatingly slow. “Unfortunately, it is rather stagnant up there” is a comment that could have come
Best fleets practice ‘ruthless reflection’ to make their company a place people want to work
Running a trucking company is hard work, especially in the current economic climate. While some carriers are struggling — or even shutting their doors —
Building broker relationships is key to success for owner-operators
As an owner-operator, once you’ve purchased your truck there are several ways to use it to produce income. The safest — and least expensive, in