Trucking History: Alexander Winton’s car-hauler preceded Charles Fruehauf’s trailer by nearly 2 decades
Charles Fruehauf is widely credited as the father of the semi-trailer as it is used today in American trucking — and rightly so. After all,
Kris Rutherford
- About Kris Rutherford
- Since retiring from a career as an outdoor recreation professional from the State of Arkansas, Kris Rutherford has worked as a freelance writer and, with his wife, owns and publishes a small Northeast Texas newspaper, The Roxton Progress. Kris has worked as a ghostwriter and editor and has authored seven books of his own. He became interested in the trucking industry as a child in the 1970s when his family traveled the interstates twice a year between their home in Maine and their native Texas. He has been a classic country music enthusiast since the age of nine when he developed a special interest in trucking songs.
Posts by Kris Rutherford
Avoid the big ‘oops’: A proactive safety culture can protect your company in case of a major accident
If you operate a commercial trucking company, you’ve been there — getting that call from a driver or law enforcement agency alerting you to a
Need drivers? Make the most of new technology to navigate the driver recruitment funnel
For years, motor carriers have searched for a secret formula to attracting and keeping the best drivers. Conversion Interaction Agency reports that driver recruitment advertising
Reba McEntire broils up controversy with ‘Fancy’ as her signature song
I love Reba McEntire. As far as I’m concerned, she bests Patsy Cline as the greatest female country artist of all time. “When Whoever in
August Fruehauf: How an apprentice blacksmith grew his business into a top-of-the-line trailer manufacturer
In German, the word “Fruehauf” means “early riser.” For August Charles Fruehauf, no name could have been more appropriate. Born in 1868 in Fraser, Michigan,
Remembering a country great: Kris Kristofferson’s legendary resume
“If it sounds country, that’s what it is. It’s a country song.” Truer words than Kris Kristofferson’s introduction to his recording of “Me and Bobby
150 years and counting: George Westinghouse’s braking system still brings traffic to a stop
If you ask truckers about the most important things in their lives, some might say that right after family, God and country, their truck’s brakes
Garrett Steenblik journeys from health crisis to wellness as an over-the-road trucker
Garrett Steenblik’s story as a truck driver isn’t a typical one — but it is certainly inspirational. Just a few years into his driving career,
Repeating history: Timing of port strike eerily similar to 1938 truckers’ strike
East and Gulf Coast ports shut down at midnight Oct. 1, 2024, as 45,000 union longshoremen walked off their jobs. Freight will quickly back up
Western swing entertainer Spade Cooley detoured down a murderous path
It’s generally accepted that Bob Wills, along with his Texas Playboys, remains the “King of Western Swing.” But in the 1940s and early 1950s, a
Malcom McLean: Former gas jockey revolutionized shipping to become ‘father of containerization’
Malcom McLean (1913-2001) despised inefficiency. So determined was he to streamline his life and business that he dropped the superfluous letter “l” from “Malcolm” to
Tracy Byrd: This cowboy-hat-wearing performer is from the country — and he likes it that way
During the 1970s, as country music artists gradually crossed over to pop, one casualty of the genre’s evolution was the cowboy hat. While some artists
From disco to country, ‘Big’ Al Downing made his mark
Only one performing artist can lay claim to having the No. 1 disco single in the U.S. and Europe one year and following it up
Review: ‘Long Haul’ offers a glimpse into the darker side of trucking
Editor’s note: When The Trucker first heard about Frank Figliuzzi’s foray into the dark world of serial killers who take advantage of the transient nature
HEROES FOR HIRE: Military veterans bring valuable skills to jobs in the civilian sector
Since the Class B Standardized Military Truck, also known as the “Liberty Truck,” debuted at the start of World War I, skilled operators have been
Randy Travis’ new song welcomed by fans, debated by critics
If you followed the neo-traditionalist movement in 1980s and 1990s country music, no doubt you remember Randy Travis’ debut single, “1982.” The song hit the
Freight conditions, adverse weather negatively impact Werner’s Q1 numbers
OMAHA, Neb.– Werner Enterprises’ first quarter results showed financial hits in all sectors. “Freight conditions remained challenging in the first quarter with persistent excess industry
Cummins reports year-over-year net income increase after Atmus separation
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Cummins’ first quarter 2024 revenue hit $8.4 billion, with a net income of $2.0 billion, according to a financial report. This represents all
RXO sees double-digit brokerage volume growth for fourth consecutive quarter
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — RXO, a trucking brokerage business, has reported in its first quarter earnings for 2024 that with four consecutive quarters of double-digit increases
Clean Harbors exceeds first quarter financial expectations
NORWELL, Mass. — Clean Harbors has reported its financial results for the first quarter, and the company exceeded expectations. “Strong demand for our services