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•April 2, 2013

What You Need to Know About Operating in Canada

FMCSA and the U.S. DOT have no influence over what happens in Canada, but Canada has plenty of its own regulatory agencies and ministries whose rules will affect American carriers' privileges and ability to operate there.

News•by Jim Park•March 20, 2013

Cummins Showcases 2013 Engines, New Features

Cummins will have its new 2013 engine line up at this year's Mid-America Trucking show, boasting 2% better fuel economy, along with some new gearing recommendations to increase fuel economy and lower operating costs.

News•by Jim Park•March 20, 2013

Kenworth Launches T880 Vocational Truck, Adds Regional T680

Kenworth today unveiled its latest vocational model, the T880. Numerically, the T880 is the next generation of the venerable T800, but Kenworth has no immediate plans to retire that workhorse.

Articles•by Jim Park•March 13, 2013

Getting By With a Little Help From your Friends

Single truck owner-operators can get into a pile of trouble quickly if that don't have the resources to overcome all the day-to-day challenges. But help is available if you look for it.

Articles•by Jim Park•March 12, 2013

5 Must-Have Tools for Your Tire Shop

Changing truck tires isn't rocket science. Since tire service isn't cheap, it's not uncommon to find smaller fleets and even some bigger ones doing their own tire maintenance. But safety needs to be the priority in any shop.

Articles•by Jim Park•March 11, 2013

Why You Should Consider Wheel Balancing

People will tell you that wheel balancing isn't necessary these days. Going back 10 or 20 years, new tires often needed a small amount of weight to balance out the irregularities in the old production process. With today's more exacting manufacturing standards, irregularities are the exception. But that doesn't mean you can't benefit from wheel balancing.

On the Road•by Jim Park•March 11, 2013

Whaddya Think of Those Canucks, Eh?

For the second time, two Canadian truckload fleets earned top honors in the Truckload Carriers Association National (maybe it should be International?) Fleet Safety Awards. In his "On the Road" blog, Jim Park muses on whether Canadian truckers have a leg up in safety, despite longer work days and bigger rigs.

On the Road•by Jim Park•March 5, 2013

Are Airless Tires the Way of the Future?

Imagine a hybrid tire that can change tread patterns to suit the application, from a deep block lug for traction to a smooth rib for fuel efficiency, or a tire that runs just on its shoulders for optimum fuel efficiency or on a full tread face for better traction. How about a tire/wheel assembly that leans into a turn for better traction and stability? Equipment Editor Jim Park has a fun look at possible tires of the future in his "On the Road" blog.

Articles•by Jim Park•February 15, 2013

And the Envelope Please

How do you compare a luxurious Ford F-650 with an Isuzu Reach cargo van? Two completely different trucks with different purposes in life. Such was the challenge of five trucking media judges at the 2012 American Truck Dealers Association's Commercial Truck of the Year competition.

On the Road•by Jim Park•February 1, 2013

Where have all the grab handles gone?

What do you think the aerodynamic penalty would be from a grab handle on the side of a truck that would help a driver climb up to a place he or she could safely clean the windshield? 0.0003%, maybe?

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