The question people always ask is, “Where did they get the money to grow to 500 trucks?” It’s all in the model, and it’s often rinse, reuse, repeat.
FMCSA and its state partners conduct 3.3 million roadside inspections annually, placing nearly a million vehicles and drivers out of service, but states are measured on inspection volume, not enforcement outcomes. The inspectors’ own alliance wants to eliminate the requirement that carriers confirm they fixed the problems. There are 800,000 carriers and 12,000 audits a year. Texas has a state law that conflicts with federal ELP requirements, so drivers get licensed there and are placed out of service elsewhere. We’re counting inspections. Nobody’s counting compliance.
Nearly 88,000 trucking companies closed in 2023. Fraud losses topped $455 million in 2024. Carriers filing claims against $75,000 surety bonds are discovering that the pot’s already been split 50 ways. As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on whether brokers can be held liable for hiring bad carriers, it’s time to ask: who really bears the risk in freight, and is the system rigged against the people actually moving the loads?
Some of the loudest conversations in trucking right now aren’t coming from policy rooms, conference stages, or trade group press releases. They’re coming from drivers, fleet owners, and industry veterans who feel like something fundamental shifted — and nobody warned them it was coming. That’s why this episode of The Long Haul was different on […]
Some carriers are taught to think in cost per mile. It’s familiar. It’s easy to explain. And it’s only part of the picture. Cost per mile tells you how expensive it is to move the truck down the road. It does not tell you how expensive it is to run a business. That’s where cost […]
Edison Motors’ diesel-electric hybrid trucks prove EVs can work in trucking when you build around operational realities rather than regulatory fantasies. That’s the kind of practical engineering that deserves attention.
The used truck market has been on a roller coaster for the last five years. First came the COVID boom, when prices exploded and used tractors were selling for more than brand-new models did prior it felt like. Then came the freight recession, which sent prices tumbling and flooded the market with equipment nobody wanted […]
When you’re a one-truck owner-operator or a small 3–5 truck fleet, your morning rhythm is clockwork: coffee, pre-trip, open the load board, refresh, refresh again, stare at the rates, call brokers, negotiate, roll. But all it takes is one outage—DAT glitches, Truckstop freezes, the phone app crashes, or the entire system goes offline—and you’re stuck. […]
By the time December rolls around, trucking looks different. Freight slows down. Parking fills up earlier. Drivers feel the cold creeping into their bones. But there’s one thing winter does that no other season can: it slows the world down just enough for us to remember what matters. And that’s when the Escort to Arlington […]
Some drivers roll right past flashing lights, not considering those lights belong to someone’s son or daughter, wrenching under the weight of a steer axle in a live lane of traffic. Others pull over in the breakdown lane, unaware that on the other side of that phone call to roadside is a technician rushing into […]
Starting January 16, 2026, freight brokers will face stricter financial standards that could thin the herd—and for small carriers, that shift might finally level the playing field.
When I first stepped into CDL school more than two decades ago, there was one thing that stuck with me—not just for the test, not just for the road exam—but something that still rides with me every single mile: the Smith System. They didn’t just teach it. They drilled it. Burned it into our brains […]
For small fleets and owner-operators running on thin margins, idling is one of those hidden costs that can sneak up and eat thousands off your bottom line. But here’s the truth: not all idling is bad. Sometimes it protects your engine, your driver, and even your revenue. The key is knowing when idling makes sense […]
Every time that check engine light comes on, you’re left guessing — but with one small device in your cab, you could skip the tow, avoid the shop, and handle regens on your own terms.
Every small carrier has been there — staring at a weak load board, wondering if hauling a $1.35-a-mile load is better than running empty. On paper it looks like “something is better than nothing.” But the real cost of cheap freight goes far beyond the numbers you see in the rate confirmation.
Trucking isn’t a flat line — it’s a rollercoaster of peaks, valleys, and regional swings driven by what people eat, buy, and build. If you don’t plan for freight seasons, they’ll plan for you — and usually the result is a thin wallet.
Every owner-operator faces that moment of truth: take the cheap freight in front of you, or burn diesel running empty to the next market. The wrong choice can eat your margin. The right one can save your week. Here’s how to know the difference.
You can’t avoid paying for fuel. But the truth is, many small carriers are bleeding thousands each month because they’re not controlling the two things they can control: Everything else—load rates, lane volatility, repair costs—is a roll of the dice in this market. Fuel? That’s your game to win or lose. So today we’re breaking […]
This Is One of the Hardest Decisions in the Business—And One of the Most Misunderstood If you’re sitting behind the wheel on your 10 hour break, weighing whether to keep running under your own MC or lease onto someone else’s authority, you’re not alone. 2025 has put a lot of pressure on small carriers and […]
Flatbedding ain’t just freight without walls. It’s a completely different beast, and if you’ve never pulled open deck before, you need to check your assumptions at the door. There’s more money in it sometimes, sure—but there’s also more responsibility, more exposure, and more prep. And if your truck isn’t already set up for it? You’re […]
They say you can’t cut some corners in trucking, but a lot of folks sure try when it comes to tires. Wide base singles—better known as super singles—promise lighter weight, better fuel economy, and a smoother ride. But are they worth it? Or are you trading redundancy for risk just to shave a few hundred […]
One of the hardest moments in trucking ownership is realizing your truck is worth less than what you still owe on it. You bought that truck thinking it was an investment, a tool to build your business. But markets shift, equipment depreciates, and sometimes the note outruns the value. That’s when you’re upside down—owing $90,000 […]
On paper, a 35,000-pound load and a 45,000-pound load might not seem that far apart. But in the real world, that 10,000-pound difference could be the reason your bank account feels thinner at the end of the month. The heavier the freight, the harder your engine works, the more fuel you burn — and the […]
Here’s the truth: fuel is your second-biggest cost right behind your truck payment or labor. Yet too many fleets treat it like an afterthought. If you’re not planning fuel alongside your routes, you’re not running in the most effective way—you’re running blind. And in this market, blind spots cost real money. The fleets that win […]
If you’re still booking loads of freight based on whatever’s paying the most today, you’re not really running a business—you’re rolling dice. A business that lives only on spot freight is built on sand. The minute the tide shifts—rates drop, brokers ghost, or slow season hits—your whole operation sinks. On the flip side, chasing the […]
Here’s the hard truth: you don’t control freight. You don’t control whether a shipper changes their plans last minute or if a broker backs out of a commitment. What you do control is how you respond. Too many small fleet owners treat freight cancellations like personal attacks. But this business isn’t personal—it’s just business. You […]
When most people shop for a truck, they focus on the big stuff: engine size, make and model, maybe even the sleeper setup. But one of the most overlooked specs on a truck—and one of the most important when it comes to long-term profitability—is your rear differential gear ratio. This single number can decide how […]
Load boards are one of the most misunderstood tools in trucking. Too many carriers treat them like their main source of business instead of what they really are—a tactical tool to bridge the gap, not build the whole strategy. If you rely on the wrong load board or use the right one the wrong way, […]
Inconsistent freight isn’t just a market trend—it’s a reality every small fleet owner has to face head-on. One week you’re running $3.20/mile on solid round trips. The next, you’re fighting for $2.10/mile spot market loads and dealing with detention that doesn’t pay. But your bills? They don’t care. Driver pay, insurance, maintenance, truck payments, and […]
Let’s get one thing straight—your business credit is not separate from your personal credit, especially when you’re just starting out. If you’re running a small fleet or even one truck, every lender, leasing company, and equipment finance company is going to look at your personal FICO score first. They’re not just betting on your business. […]
Everybody talks about scaling. More trucks, more drivers, more freight. But here’s the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to say out loud: Not every carrier is built to scale — and not every carrier should. Because growth isn’t always about adding trucks. Sometimes growth looks like refining your lanes, raising your rates, tightening your operations, and […]
Government freight isn’t the secret shortcut social media makes it out to be—but for small fleets that are tired of chasing the spot market and ready to build something more stable, it’s a lane worth learning. Over the past year, more owner-operators and small-carriers have started asking how to bid on government loads, especially as […]
With over 12% of trucks sidelined during last year’s CVSA Brake Safety Week, the 2025 focus on rotors and brake drums puts heavy-duty and vocational trucks in the crosshairs. This guide breaks down what inspectors look for and how clean, well-maintained rigs are more likely to pass or avoid inspection altogether.
The entire market shifts when carriers start saying “no” to contracted freight. Rising tender rejection rates signal tightening capacity and often precede spot rate hikes, while falling rates point to softening demand.
FMCSA audits shape your safety rating, impact your ability to haul freight and determine if your company stays on the road. In 2025, with scrutiny rising and technology advancing, understanding how these reviews unfold is mission-critical.
Too many carriers treat the rate con like a formality, but buried in those few pages are the traps that can cost you detention pay, shift liability, or delay your check for weeks. In this guide, we walk through how to break down a rate confirmation like a fleet manager, flagging sneaky clauses, protecting your rights, and building a system to manage paperwork at scale. In trucking, reading the fine print is financial survival.
Are you a brand new owner-operator? Steer away from trouble with these 5 tips.
Facing a DOT audit in 2025 doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Learn how fleets can stay ready year-round, avoid common audit pitfalls and keep their trucks rolling smoothly without regulatory worries.
On Monday, the FMCSA revoked eight electronic logging devices tied to Gorilla Fleet Safety LLC, citing failure to meet federal technical standards. Fleets now face a 60-day deadline to replace noncompliant systems or risk violations.
Fuel is your largest expense and your biggest opportunity. From transmission choices and smart fueling to preventing fuel fraud, this guide provides practical, proven strategies for owner-operators and small fleets aiming to trim costs, boost efficiency and keep profits rolling in 2025.
With MC numbers disappearing, tougher English proficiency rules hitting drivers, broker transparency tightening and several regulations disappearing, fleets face challenges and opportunities. Here’s your essential guide to navigating trucking’s changing road ahead.
Commercial insurance rates have ballooned over the last few years. Small carriers can use some techniques to reduce their costs.
The jump from leased-on driver to running under your own authority feels easy when you’re frustrated with your current situation. You start thinking, “Man, if I’m doing all the work, why am I giving up 20%, 30%, even 40% of the money?” And you’re not wrong to feel that way. But emotion doesn’t pay for […]
Meet Bubba, the AI-powered voice assistant designed specifically for drivers. Bubba finds loads, negotiates rates, vets brokers and manages documents while protecting drivers’ profits and time. After decades of everyone but drivers using AI, Bubba finally brings real-world driver-first solutions that let you stay focused on the road while maximizing your margins. Learn why Bubba might just be the smartest, toughest, “Say no to Cheap Freight” dispatcher you’ll ever have.
