Tom Quimby, CCJ senior editor

Tom Quimby is senior editor of trucking at Commercial Carrier Journal, Truck Parts Service and Hard Working Trucks. In addition to tractor-trailers, he keeps a close eye on the latest pickups, vans and news impacting Class 1 – 8 fleets. When he's not working, he enjoys fishing, gardening, photography and spending time with family and friends. Reach him at tomquimby@randallreilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @tom_quimby.

Safety & Compliance

Rear impact guard now part of annual truck inspection

Carriers that fail to pass inspection next month could be fined almost $16,000 and drivers almost $4,000.

November 15, 2021

Great Dane Champion dry van trailer rear impact guard

Regulations

Unenforced emissions regs 'absolutely' constraining drayage market

From tough emissions regs to California's restrictive owner-operator law, carriers and owner-operators are feeling the pinch at a time when truckers are the needed the most.

November 12, 2021

Port of Los Angeles shipping containers truck

Maintenance

Step up tire management in cold weather for better traction and tread life

Tire experts offer tips on effective winter tire management for safer traction, longer tread life and a better bottom line.

November 10, 2021

Regulations

Vax mandate catches truck drivers in jurisdiction crossfire between OSHA and DOT

Attorneys say OTR drivers wouldn't be subject to OSHA's vaccine mandate, but rules could change once they step out of the truck or enter a building.

November 4, 2021

Battery electric

Commercial EV provision in Build Back Better offers 30% tax credit

Buyers stand to gain a 30% federal tax credit on the purchase price of commercial EVs ranging from work trucks to Class 8 tractors. And unlike a tax incentive for consumer EVs, qualifying commercial EVs do not have to be union made.

November 4, 2021

Outlook and Benchmarking

Port confidence still wanes despite driver bonuses, new container fees

From the Port of Miami to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, efforts to alleviate historic port congestion through big driver bonuses and hefty container fees have left industry leaders concerned about the heavy price of business.

October 30, 2021

Trucks waiting at Port of Los Angeles new container fees

Safety & Compliance

Biden's vaccine mandate up against 'extremely difficult' challenge, attorneys say

Emergency Temporary Standards from Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) don't always hold up in court, and where disease is considered the hazard, President Biden is expected to have an 'extremely difficult' challenge defending his COVID mandate.

October 27, 2021

COVID-19 Biden vaccine mandate legal trouble

Trip planning

GPS leads driver to high-grade rail crossing, into path of train

A car hauler in Oklahoma made national news after his rig was smashed by a train. He had been following a GPS detour that came up from nearby road construction.

October 23, 2021

A car hauler was smashed in Oklahoma on Friday after following GPS onto the tracks where the low-riding trailer became stuck.

Economic trends

Trucking industry not confident in Biden's 24/7 port plan

There are not enough truckers to work three shifts per day nor does the hinterland infrastructure support hundreds of more containers to be unloaded in a 24-hour period.

October 17, 2021

Port of Los Angeles with stacked containers

Battery electric

Chip shortage not expected to impact ambitious commercial EV goals but government might

During an online presentation dubbed the Big Leap, Volvo Trucks pushed for companies and policy makers to help pave the way for zero-emission trucks while an industry insider advised to keep a watchful eye on government intervention.

October 12, 2021

Manhattan Beer Distributers took delivery of a Volvo VNR Electric in August in New York City.

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Troubleshooting aftertreatment woes starts early

Fleets that count on a dash light or wait for a failure to occur to work on the system are setting themselves up for an expensive repair.