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.

On the Road•by Jim Park•December 31, 2013

There's more to trucking than black smoke and taillights

Equipment Editor, Jim Park, shares his thoughts and experiences about the fund raising truck convoys that happen in the fall. He says these events show a side of drivers the public and some in the industry rarely see.

Articles•by Jim Park•December 23, 2013

Who Balances Trailer Wheels?

Nobody balances trailer wheels, but oddly, they are the wheels on a truck most likely in need of balancing. With a few ounces of balancing material, those tires might easily run tens of thousands more miles before final removal.

On the Road•by Jim Park•December 20, 2013

A Different Sort of Christmas Carol

As a writer, our Equipment Editor, Jim Park, has a good imagination. He swears, though, that on two particular occasions, he wasn't imagining anything, when he suddenly got the urge to do something totally out of the blue. It was good that he did, too.

On the Road•by Jim Park•December 12, 2013

The perils of winter driving, or, self-inflicted wounds

Equipment Editor Jim Park, has seen his share of calamity on snow-covered highways. He got through his 20 years of driving unscathed, but the point of view from the driver's seat is a little different that that of a traffic camera mounted dozens of feet in the air. Park says this ringside-seat video provides a new perspective on winter driving.

Articles•by Jim Park•December 9, 2013

Adopting Tire Inflation Systems

Why are adoption rates for proven fuel-saving technologies so low? It looks like a classic case of stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime. Maybe “a lack of credible information on payback” means, “we don’t know how much this device will save us so we’re not going to buy it.”

On the Road•by Jim Park•November 27, 2013

Thirty-five years' experience or one year's experience 35 times?

Equipment Editor Jim Park has had a CDL for 35 years. But does he know how to really drive a truck? We may never know until the day comes when he has to put his skills to the test.

Articles•by Jim Park•November 25, 2013

Are We Sacrificing Traction for Fuel Economy?

As more fleets embrace their fuel savings potential, a large portion of the driver population remains uneasy about low-rolling-resistance, fuel-efficient tires -- especially in winter. Has the quest for fuel efficiency pushed traction and safety into the back seat?

Articles•by Jim Park•November 12, 2013

Why Balancing is Important

If you look at balancing from a life-cycle point of view, the value of extending tread life speaks for itself. There’s also casing integrity to consider, retreadability, and to a growing degree, and disposal costs. Yet reliable estimates suggest only about 20% of heavy-duty truck tires are ever balanced.

Articles•by Jim Park•November 11, 2013

Getting the Lead Out of Tire Weights

Beware the lead tire weight cops. They are out there and working in six states, with several more states looking at banning lead weights. Here's a look at the alternatives to lead in weights -- and alternatives to weights themselves.

Articles•by Jim Park•November 8, 2013

Aero Add-ons Put to the Test

The Performance Innovation Transport Group recently tested trailer side skirts and undercarriage air deflectors.

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