HDT's Top Articles of 2020

Heavy Duty Trucking's most popular articles of 2020, as determined by web analytics from Truckinginfo.com, run the gamut from hot current issues to evergreen how-to tips.

1. Tips for Cleaning and Sanitizing Truck Cabs

When we wrote this online feature in March, fleets were wondering how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on surfaces. Equipment Editor Jim Park dug into what were viewed to be the best practices at the time for this article.

2. Understanding the New 30-Minute Break Rule

Changes to federal hours-of-service work rules for drivers were announced in June to allow more flexibility, something the trucking industry had asked for with the implementation of mandatory electronic logging devices. But some found the changes confusing. This article offered insight into one of those changes, the 30-minute break.

3. Running Pre-2000 Engines, Paper Logs Calls for Right Documentation

After the electronic logging device mandate went into final, full effect in December 2019, some owners of trucks with older engines, exempt from the ELD rules, were running into problems with DOT compliance officials. This article laid out what documentation truck owners need to have in this situation.

4. 6 Things You Need to Know About the New Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

Another big regulatory change that took effect this year was the federal drug and alcohol clearinghouse. This article outlined what fleets needed to know to comply with the new rules.

5. Keep your Diesel Fuel from Freezing this Winter

While many of our top articles dealt with current affairs, sometimes a good how-to story is helpful for those challenges truckers deal with every year. Although there should be no need to panic about fuel when it gets cold if you manage your fuel properly and take appropriate steps, many don’t, and get stung with the added expense of on-road fuel treatment purchases or the inconvenience of a shut-down.  

6. Do Low Spot Freight Rates Mean Brokers Are Gouging Truckers?

As stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across much of the country in the latter part of March, the level of freight available dropped rapidly. By the second half of April, spot-market rates were so low that independent truckers were staging protests in Houston, California, and Washington, D.C., many blaming brokers. But were brokers really gouging truckers, or was it a simple case of supply and demand? Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge dug into the issue.

7. RNG: The Energy Source No One’s Talking About

As part of our annual alternative fuels and drivetrains issue, we took a closer look at renewable natural gas. Advocates believe it’s being overlooked in the rush to zero-emission electric powertrains and in fact could be more environmentally friendly when you look at “well to wheel” calculations.

8. Test Drive: Mack’s New Medium-Duty Truck

Despite the pandemic, Equipment Editor Jim Park managed to arrange a test drive over the summer of Mack’s new MD Series medium-duty truck announced earlier in the year.

9. What You Need to Know About Hours of Service Changes

As changes to hours-of-service rules prepared to go into effect in late September, we shared some insight from Joe DeLorenzo, acting associate administrator for enforcement at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, about the rules.

10. How to Rein in Rising Insurance Costs

Our January print magazine cover story, this feature addressed one of the most pressing issues affecting many fleets today – soaring insurance costs.