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•February 19, 2014

PIT Puts a Number on Fuel Efficiency Ratings

FPInnovations’ Performance Innovation Transport (PIT) group now offers a technology certification program that allows consumers to identify the fuel efficiency value of almost any fuel-saving technology.

Articles•by Jim Park•February 11, 2014

Stay Ahead of Trouble on EGR Engines

While most of the early problems have been engineered out of the exhaust gas recirculation systems on today’s clean diesel engines, corroded coolers, stuck valves and other problems still plague owners of older equipment.

Articles•by Jim Park•February 11, 2014

Are Retreaded Tires Gaining Market Share over Replacements?

The last time retread tires outsold replacement truck tires was 2009. Before that, it was 2004. Tire market data from 2013, published by our sister publication, Modern Tire Dealer, shows replacement tires outsold retreads last year, but by a thinning margin. That leads us to the question, is a five-year cycle about to repeat itself?

Articles•by Jim Park•February 6, 2014

Keeping Your Wheels in the Game (updated)

Back in 1984, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a regulation requiring that truck wheels be stripped of rust and debris before mounting a tire. Easier said than done, the industry moaned at the time. Labor was less costly then, but wire brushes and elbow grease weren’t going to cut it.

On the Road•by Jim Park•February 4, 2014

Death in the Tire Shop

A tire service technician was killed when he was run over by the truck he was working on. Could more regulations have prevented the tragedy? Possibly, but so could better communication and a little more awareness of what goes on in a repair shop, says Equipment Editor Jim Park in his On the Road blog.

On the Road•by Jim Park•January 30, 2014

Snow Happens

With 55 winters under his belt, Equipment Editor, Jim Park is amused by the expectation that life should continue like normal in places where they hardly ever see snow.

Articles•by Jim Park•January 28, 2014

What's this Cold Weather Doing to Your Tire Pressure? (updated)

Here's one more reason to fear the dreaded Arctic Vortex: It plays havoc with tire pressure. If you're based in North Dakota and your trucks never travel too far south or west, there's hardly anything to worry about. San Diego-based fleets running up into the Midwest and the Dakotas or vice versa could have a problem.

Articles•by Jim Park•January 14, 2014

Mismatching Dual Tires: A Sure-Fire Way to Kill Two Tires at Once

As tire costs continue to rise, it will become harder to ignore even seemly insignificant problems, like mounting two tires of different diameter in the same dual assembly. Lack of attention can strip thousands of miles from even scabby old trailer tires, and increase the risk of a mission-crippling blowout.

News•by Jim Park•January 13, 2014

The Return of the Truck that Never Went Away

Many thought the Argosy COE went out of production in 2006, but it's still available in NAFTA markets as a glider kit. DTNA says interest in the truck is growing as more customers become aware of its continued availability.

On the Road•by Jim Park•January 10, 2014

New HOS Rules for Pilots Humanize the Job and Make Flying Safer Too

Nobody likes being told when to go to sleep and when to wake up, especially when you're not naturally inclined to do one or the other. HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park lived with trucking's hours of service rules for 20 years, and in this On the Road blog post, he compares trucking HOS with a new set of hours of service rules for pilots.

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