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•December 21, 2015

Reduce Your Maintenance Burden With Air Disc Brakes

When you look at the reduced and simplified maintenance requirements of air disc brakes, better stopping power becomes the icing on the cake.

Articles•by Jim Park•December 17, 2015

Testing Out Dana's Dual Range Disconnect [Video]

First revealed at the Mid-America Trucking Show in March, Dana's Dual Range Disconnect drive axle system gives users the fuel savings of a downsped 6x2 drivetrain and the traction and performance of a conventional 6x4 setup. How's that possible you ask?

News•by Jim Park•December 16, 2015

First-timer Travis Graham Cleans Up at Rush Tech Skills Rodeo

The 2015 Rush Truck Centers Tech Skills Rodeo wraps up in San Antonio with the awards ceremony.

News•by Jim Park•December 15, 2015

Rush Truck Centers Tech Rodeo Rocks San Antonio

Each year for the past decade Rush Truck Centers has sent its best technicians to compete hear to head in the Tech Skills Rodeo. This year 300 techs from across the network tested for a chance to make the trip to the finals in San Antonio. More than 160 techs and parts specialists made the trip.

On the Road•by Jim Park•December 10, 2015

For Whom the ELD Bell Tolls

It's official, finally; hours of service is going electronic. In his On the Road blog, Equipment Editor and former driver Jim Park tells fleets and owner-operators to prepare now for a cut in productivity and make the necessary adjustment to your operation while you still can.

Articles•by Jim Park•December 3, 2015

Tire Pressure, Fuel Economy and GHG Regs

Should tire inflation systems be part of the new federal greenhouse gas/fuel economy rules? Trucking’s track record with pressure maintenance says yes. But, uncertainty over the definition of proper inflation raises questions.

Articles•by Jim Park•December 1, 2015

Spec’ing Charging, Starting and Battery Systems

If you haven’t spec’d a truck in the past few years, you might be surprised by how much the truck’s electrical needs have changed.

Articles•by Jim Park•November 24, 2015

Why Do Wheels Come Loose?

Investigations into hundreds of wheel separation incidents reveals that whether it was loosened wheel fasteners or failed bearings due to improper installation or loss of lubricant, better maintenance could have prevented all but a few of the incidents.

Articles•by Jim Park•November 18, 2015

Kenworth's Rock-Solid T880

The T880 was introduced a few years ago but in just six short months, orders for the new vocational platform overtook its worthy predecessor, the T800. In the heavy duty market, that's quite remarkable.

Articles•by Jim Park•November 13, 2015

GHG Phase 2 Rules Don't Pass OEM Muster... Yet

OEM comments on proposed EPA/NHTSA Phase 2 GHG regs show they’re nowhere near ready for prime time. What the agencies say in reply will speak volumes on where the rule is headed.

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