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•March 25, 2014

Switching to Wide-Base Singles: Keys to Success

Everything you need to know about switching from dual wheels to wide-base singles you can learn at a playground. What you need to know about wide-base tires, axles and offsets.

On the Road•by Jim Park•March 18, 2014

Trusting Technology

HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park had a few breakdowns during his driving career, but never with a brand new truck. A lesson learned with a brand new computer shows how vulnerable we can be to technology, as he shares in his "On the Road" blog.

Articles•by Jim Park•March 12, 2014

Top 3 Ways to Preserve Tire Life (And Value)

Still waiting for the million-mile tire? Don’t hold your breath, but we’ll probably see such a tire in our lifetime. For now, you’ll have to settle for half a million miles.

News•by Jim Park•March 10, 2014

Decisiv Launches Maintenance Scorecard with TMC

TMC, NASHVILLE -- Need to know how your fleet stacks up against your peers and competitors? Vehicle maintenance and service analytics provider, Decisiv, has rolled out a new concept in benchmarking it calls a "Service Scorecard."

News•by Jim Park•March 9, 2014

Eaton, Cummins Westport Pair ISX12 G with UltraShift Plus

TMC, NASHVILLE -- To meet the demands of the emerging alternative fuel markets, Eaton and Cummins Westport now offer an integrated powertrain package featuring the Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engine and the UltraShift Plus automated manual transmission.

News•by Jim Park•March 9, 2014

Accuride's New Accu-Lite Wheel Lineup Sheds 4 Pounds

TMC, NASHVILLE – Accuride unveiled two new aluminum wheels for wide-single tires that are up to 4 pounds lighter than the models they replace. With the addition of the Accu-Lite Duplex line of aluminum wheels to its portfolio, Accuride claims it has the lightest-weight range of standard aluminum wheels in North America.

News•by Jim Park•March 9, 2014

Idle Smart's Battery Protect Ensures Engine Starts

TMC, NASHVILLE -- The new Battery Protect system from Idle Smart continuously monitors battery voltage levels, and will automatically start and run a vehicle’s engine to recharge batteries.

News•by Jim Park•March 9, 2014

Paccar Adds Spicer EconoTrek 6x2, AdvanTEK 40 Tandem Axles

TMC, NASHVILLE -- Spicer EconoTrek 6x2 tandem axle and the AdvanTEK 40 Tandem Axle are now available on certain Kenworth and Peterbilt models

Articles•by Jim Park•February 26, 2014

Making the Case for Low-Rolling-Resistance Tires

How do you explain to the boss that the tires you want to buy are going to cost more up front but run fewer miles? You can explain they will save money on fuel, but then she's going to want numbers.

On the Road•by Jim Park•February 26, 2014

Are High Fuel Prices Killing Drivers?

If it's not bad enough that drivers seldom have the time to eat properly and exercise, escalating fuel costs are driving fleets to buy fuel where it's cheapest, says Jim Park in his On the Road blog. Those places specialize in fast turn-over take-out food, not necessarily the food drivers need for a healthy, balanced diet.

Prev Next