Jim Park

Former HDT Equipment Editor

Jim Park served as Heavy Duty Trucking's equipment editor from 2006-2024. Specializing in technical and equipment content, Park is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the trucking industry since 1998.

Before joining HDT, Park was a truck driver and owner-operator for 20 years and served as an editor for HighwayStar magazine, which ceased production in 2011. He maintained his commercial driver’s license to bring a real-world perspective to Test Drives, as well as to features, videos and podcasts about equipment spec’ing and trends, emissions regulations and developments, maintenance and drivers.

He is the recipient of 16 Jesse H. Neal honors (both finalist and Neal awards), including “Best Range of Work by a Single Author” in 2020.

Articles•by Jim Park•May 23, 2017

What's Ahead for Wide-Base Single Tires?

Could the next round of greenhouse gas reduction rules push more fleets over to wide-base single tires? It seems likely, given not only their relatively low rolling resistance but weight savings as well.

Articles•by Jim Park•May 18, 2017

Are Your Brakes up to Snuff?

With all the advantages provided by today’s advanced safety systems, what a shame it would be if they couldn’t live up to their potential because of poorly maintained foundation brakes or inadequate friction material.

Articles•by Jim Park•May 2, 2017

New Refrigerants on the Way

Transport refrigeration units will soon be subject to tighter regulations on the use of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants.

News•by Jim Park•May 2, 2017

Alcoa Looks to Detroit for Styling

Alcoa is looking at the potential of producing a black version of the Dura-Bright Evo wheel. The company brought a few prototypes to the Mid-America Trucking Show, trying to see if people noticed them and asked about them.

On the Road•by Jim Park•May 2, 2017

Electric Semi: More Sizzle than Steak?

The first image of Tesla's Electric Semi seem to show exactly the wrong type of electric truck. Is this for the benefit of investors or the trucking industry? Equipment Editor Jim Park explores the question in his On the Road blog.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 28, 2017

To Outset, or Not to Outset

Fleets spec’ing wide single tires need to decide upfront whether to trade the vehicle as is or to spec axles and wheels for a later conversion to duals.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 27, 2017

Driving Volvo’s SuperTruck

What you can see of Volvo’s SuperTruck vehicle is pretty spectacular, though fairly plain at heart. It’s what you can’t see that stirs the imagination. Equipment Editor Jim Park explains in this first-person Test Drive.

News•by Jim Park•April 20, 2017

Volvo Unveils VNR Regional Tractor

Volvo Trucks North America Wednesday launched a new regional truck, the VNR, to address what it believes is tremendous growth potential in regional and short-haul markets. Volvo says this truck will meet the needs of beverage haulers, grocery distributors, fuel haulers and many others engaged in local, regional and short-haul service.

On the Road•by Jim Park•April 7, 2017

Terror by Truck: It's Happened Again

Someone in Stockholm, Sweden, crashed a delivery truck into a crowded department store, killing at least three. It's been described as an act of terror, but it may also have been a crime of opportunity. In his On the Road blog, Equipment Editor Jim Park asks: Are we ready to prevent or defend against such an attack?

Articles•by Jim Park•March 27, 2017

Trends in Trailer Suspensions

While suspension producers are constantly upgrading and improving their products and adding new models, overall trends in suspension uptake by fleets remain fairly constant.

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