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.

News•by Jim Park•May 19, 2015

Swihart: Kenworth Looks for Best Year Since 2006

Kenworth gained market share in 2014 and has made additional gains in the first quarter of 2015. Kenworth expects 2015 to be a banner year for truck makers with numbers not seen since the pre-buy year of 2006.

Articles•by Jim Park•May 12, 2015

Tire Maintenance with Ryder's Scott Perry

Ryder Systems has one of the most diverse fleets in the country, and one of the largest. Management of that fleet's tire assets falls to Scott Perry, vice president of supply management. You may not find him out in the yard gauging tires, but he certainly responsible for getting every last penny in value from his tires.

News•by Jim Park•May 11, 2015

The Autonomous Truck Comes to Life [Video]

HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park gets a right-hand-seat view of Daimler Truck's Inspiration Truck and the Highway Pilot autonomous control system in action.

Articles•by Jim Park•May 7, 2015

Hands-off on the Highway

There are still a few misconceptions about autonomous commercial vehicles. They are not driverless trucks, but trucks that help make drivers' lives a little easier and roadways safer through the use of advanced technology. Jim Park takes a ride in Daimler's Inspiration Truck.

On the Road•by Jim Park•May 4, 2015

Sometimes it's Driver Error; Sometimes it's an Optical Illusion

We all know some freeway off-ramp bends are too tight, but we sort of expect that. When the mainline of the highway has too tight a turn it can be shocking. All the more so when your eyes tell you the road is straight ...

Articles•by Jim Park•April 29, 2015

Figuring Out Wide-Base Single Tires

Wide-based single tires have proven weight- and fuel-saving properties, but not every fleet can make them work. Yet there may still be options.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 21, 2015

How Corrosion Causes Electrical Problems

Almost every electrical or electronic problem with trucks today can be traced back to one single source: corrosion-induced voltage irregularities.

News•by Jim Park•April 20, 2015

Navistar Takes ProStar ES to 110,000 GVW

Downspeeding isn't a good approach to fuel savings in high GVW applications, so Navistar is offering Canadians a ProStar ES spec designed for 110,000 GVW. It features Eaton's 16-speed UltraShift and engines from Cummins and Navistar optimized for higher weights.

On the Road•by Jim Park•April 8, 2015

Too Fast for Your Tires?

Are higher highway speed limits a real threat to tire safety? A recent Associated Press story suggests that trucks running north of 75 mph could be at elevated risk of tire failure because they are going too fast. Equipment Editor Jim Park offers insight into the truth of the matter.

News•by Jim Park•April 6, 2015

Alcoa, Metalsa Offer 2,500 lbs in Future Weight Savings

At the Mid-America Trucking Show, Alcoa showcased several vehicle components currently in development that could reduce the weight of a typical highway tractor by as much as 2,500 pounds.

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