A man’s plan to add 45,000 truck parking spaces
American truckers need many thousands of additional truck parking spaces. A longtime industry executive plans to add thousands.
By Tom Berg | March 08, 2024
Tom Berg
Contributing EditorTom Berg worked his way through college by driving trucks. After graduation in 1965 and two years in the U.S. Army, he worked in TV news and various communication jobs. Since 1978, he’s been writing about trucks and trucking. He holds a Class A commercial driver’s license and drives trucks as part of story research. Berg is semi-retired but still writes about semis. Lucky enough for us, he’s chosen to spend the non-semi-retired part of his life writing for us as a contributing editor.
News, Truck Parking
News, Business
Mack MD Electric enters production
Mack MD Electric Trucks began production in October. The mid-range trucks are expected to appear at dealerships in 2024.
By Tom Berg | November 02, 2023
Truck Shows, Equipment, Business
Mack unveils midrange electric truck
Mack Trucks says its new MD Electric is designed for local hauling in several applications where it can get back to the charger at night.
By Tom Berg | March 10, 2023
Business, Products & Services
ConnectedDeck system folds quickly, uses integrated lightweight decking
The ConnectedDeck system from Doleco USA folds up quickly in a matter of seconds when not needed to hold cargo in a trailer.
By Tom Berg | March 01, 2023
Business, Products & Services
Soy-lube pads can cleanly replace grease on fifth wheels
Gear Head Lube says its nontoxic soy-based lubricant pads make greasing a fifth wheel plate much easier and a lot less messy.
By Tom Berg | February 27, 2023
Business, Products & Services
SAF-Holland completes buy of Haldex
SAF-Holland has integrated Haldex brake and air control products into its heavy-duty vehicle components since taking it over last year.
By Tom Berg | February 27, 2023
Business, Equipment
Kenworth celebrates 100 Years in 2023
Kenworth marks 100 years in 2023. Two special-edition trucks its W900 and T680 sleeper-cab highway tractor are part of the celebration.
By Tom Berg | February 17, 2023
Equipment, Business
Jacobs unveils cylinder deactivation tech to cut emissions
Jacobs Vehicle Systems, maker of Jake Brakes, has developed valvetrain technologies that could help engine and truck makers meet stricter exhaust emission limits.
By Tom Berg | November 02, 2022
Equipment, Business
Diesel ‘downspeeding’ doesn’t increase brake wear, TMC panel says
Downspeeding diesel engines to increase fuel efficiency doesn’t speed up brake wear, according to a panel of technology experts.
By Tom Berg | September 29, 2022
Equipment, Business
‘Command Steer’ adds power to power steering
Mack Trucks offer help turning the steering wheel with Command Steer, a smart electric boost to Mack’s normal hydraulic power steering.
By Tom Berg | September 23, 2022
Equipment, Business
Freightliner M2, SD trucks to get cab, safety ‘Plus’
Freightliner is upgrading its M2 Plus medium-duty and SD Plus vocational models, with driver comfort in mind and more safety features.
By Tom Berg | September 13, 2022
Equipment, Business
Navistar shows new fuel-saving powertrain
The S13 diesel and T14 automated transmission start going into Aero highway tractors next summer, delivering up to 15% fuel savings.
By Tom Berg | August 17, 2022
Equipment, Business
New Western Star 57X Aero road tractor to replace 5700XE
The Western Star 57X is more aerodynamic than the model it succeeds, and it is the most fuel-efficient truck the company has ever made.
By Tom Berg | August 02, 2022
Equipment, Business
New diesels can cut emissions faster than electric trucks, study says
In powering big trucks, diesels do better than just hold their own in cutting emissions compared to electric trucks, a trade group says.
By Tom Berg | July 22, 2022
Business, Products & Services
Alcoa Wheels markets covers for steer- and drive-axle wheels
Alcoa Wheels says its new wheel covers can reduce drag and improve miles per gallon. The savings tallies to $120 per truck, it says.
By Tom Berg | March 09, 2022
Features
Highway Hero’s response: ‘It’s what we do’
A professional driver who is a trained emergency responder was chosen to be Goodyear’s Highway Hero this year for selfless helping others.
By Tom Berg | March 07, 2022
Equipment
Cummins’ acquisitions ensure its continued prosperity
Cummins is on a tear. It recently announced acquiring Meritor and Jake Brakes. The growth started years ago, says Land Line’s Tom Berg.
By Tom Berg | February 24, 2022
Equipment, Business
Army, Mack Defense mark serial production of M917A3 dumper
Mack Defense last week began production of a military-grade M917A3 dump truck for the U.S. Army. It’s based on Mack Truck’s Granite truck.
By Tom Berg | September 27, 2021
Business, News, Equipment
New 47X strengthens Western Star’s bid for vocational sales
Western Star upgrades its vocational trucks with the lighter 47X, successor to its 4700 model, echoing changes made to the 4900 model.
By Tom Berg | September 24, 2021
Equipment, Business
TMC debates electronic braking, future tractor-trailer connections
A mock debate by a Technology & Maintenance Council panel presented the pros and cons of electronic braking and trailer connectivity.
By Tom Berg | September 20, 2021
Business, Products & Services
Can cameras replace rearview mirrors? Yes, we found
Can cameras and video screens replace the tried-and-true rearview mirror? Land Line’s Tom Berg test drives Stoneridge’s MirrorEye system.
By Tom Berg | September 17, 2021
Features
N.Y. technician wins second TMC SuperTech grand championship
Christopher Tate, a truck and reefer technician from New York state, grabbed the top prize in the 2021 TMC SuperTech competition this week.
By Tom Berg | September 16, 2021
Equipment, Business
Peterbilt 579 updated: Midrange trucks get wider cab
The restyled Model 579 tractor looms big and bold, with digital dash and smoother aero stylings, contributing editor Tom Berg reports.
By Tom Berg | April 23, 2021
Business, Equipment
Peterbilt announces new conventional-cab midrange models
Peterbilt Motors offers new medium-duty truck models with a new automated eight-speed transmission and upgraded interior finishes.
By Tom Berg | April 09, 2021
Equipment, Business
Kenworth gives medium-duty lineup big cab, new transmission
Kenworth has upgraded its medium-duty lineup for hot shotters, dump truckers and delivery drivers. Note the roomier cabs with nicer interiors.
By Tom Berg | April 06, 2021