Are Your Freight Relationships Absorbing Risk or Amplifying It?
Freight volatility is increasingly driven by the architecture of trucking networks and the depth of carrier relationships rather than traditional spot‑rate cycles. Even modest demand shifts now produce outsized swings in rates and capacity, exposing fleets to tighter margins. Operators that adopt hybrid freight models and cultivate strategic capacity partnerships can absorb shocks more effectively. The article argues that network alignment, not sheer fleet size, is the key to stability in today’s unpredictable market.
Clark: Minimizing Detention to Maximize Fleet Performance
Detention—when trucks wait idle at docks—remains a pervasive cost driver in U.S. trucking, affecting 39.3% of drivers according to the American Transportation Research Institute. While 94% of carriers bill for these delays, fewer than half of the claims are actually...
This Week in Trucking: Broker Liability, Autonomous Boom
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that freight brokers can be liable for negligent hiring in Montgomery v. C.H. Robinson, creating a uniform national standard. The House passed the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (348‑60) to create a federal agency targeting...
Supreme Court Affirms Broker Liability Nationwide
The U.S. Supreme Court in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II held that freight brokers are subject to negligent‑hiring tort claims in every state. The ruling extends liability that already existed in a patchwork of jurisdictions, confirming that brokers can be sued...
Ford and Carhartt Collaborate to Build a Truck Honoring the Working Class
Ford unveiled the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt, a special‑edition pickup that blends Ford’s heavy‑duty platform with Carhartt’s workwear heritage. The model is offered as a 2027 XLT crew‑cab single‑rear‑wheel truck, featuring 20‑inch wheels, duck‑canvas‑inspired seat covers, and subtle Carhartt badging...
End of the Check Engine Light Era
Suppliers and OEMs are replacing traditional check‑engine light alerts with AI‑driven diagnostics that automatically diagnose faults, book repairs and reroute trucks. Connected platforms from DTNA and Volvo deliver real‑time data, enabling predictive maintenance and over‑the‑air updates that keep trucks on...
Circle K, ProVia Logistics, and Ross Transportation Win 2026 Private Fleet of the Year Awards
Circle K’s Fuel South Express, ProVia Logistics and Ross Transportation Services were named the 2026 FleetOwner Private Fleet of the Year winners, recognized for safety, efficiency and community impact. Circle K prevented fuel outages through predictive maintenance and route optimization across a...
Clark: Dedicated Safety Leadership Is a Necessity, Not a Luxury
Trucking fleets are feeling mounting pressure from rising insurance premiums to strengthen safety oversight. While many smaller operators still rely on HR to manage safety, evolving regulations, telematics and advanced vehicle technology are outpacing that approach. Jane Clark argues that...
PowerTech Labs Unveils Mobile Hydrogen Fueling Trailer to Accelerate Hydrogen Vehicle Adoption
PowerTech Labs introduced a mobile hydrogen fueling trailer capable of delivering 1,050 kg of hydrogen at 517 bar pressure, filling and dispensing in two‑hour cycles. The trailer incorporates real‑time safety monitoring and automatic valve shutdown to prevent incidents. Designed as a temporary,...
Why Used Truck Sourcing Is Becoming a Wider-Market Decision for Smaller Fleets
Smaller and regional fleets are expanding their used‑truck search radius, often traveling hundreds of miles to secure units that meet specific mileage, service history, and condition criteria. A third of recent sales from SelecTrucks' Louisville hub went to buyers over...
Spot Freight Rates Climb Again as Flatbed Extends Multi-Week Growth Streak
Spot freight rates continued their upward trajectory last week, with dry‑van, refrigerated and flatbed equipment all posting gains. FTR data show dry‑van rates up about 4 cents and 38% year‑over‑year, refrigerated rates climbing roughly 10 cents and 33% YoY, while...
Roeth: It’s Time to Consider Replacing Old Equipment
Rising diesel prices, now hovering around $5 per gallon, are prompting fleets to re‑evaluate the cost of operating older Class 8 trucks. Fleet Advantage’s Truck Life Cycle Data Index shows that swapping a 2022 model for a 2028 version can shave...
Diesel and Gasoline Prices Surge Across U.S. Regions Amid Global Supply Concerns
U.S. diesel and gasoline prices jumped this week as the Middle East conflict tightened global oil supplies. The national on‑highway diesel average rose 29 cents to $5.64 per gallon, while gasoline climbed 33 cents to $4.45 per gallon, according to...
Volvo Trucks Tackles EPA 2027 with ‘Most Efficient’ D13 Engine Yet
Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its next‑generation D13 13‑liter engine, designed to meet the EPA’s 2027 rule that cuts NOx emissions by 80 %. The powertrain delivers up to 540 hp, 1,950 lb‑ft of torque and a record 630 braking hp while preserving the VNL’s...
Path to Scale: 4 Critical Fixes ZEVs Need for TCO Parity
Commercial trucking’s shift to zero‑emission vehicles (ZEVs) is stalled by policy uncertainty and financing gaps, despite manufacturers offering battery, fuel‑cell, and renewable‑fuel options. Industry leaders at the ACT Expo identified four critical fixes—stable policy and funding, operational mastery via AI,...