Overdrive

March 2017 | Overdrive | 23 PARTNERS IN BUSINESS TIP: WHEN TO TRADE Experts say you should consider replacing your truck when your fuel mileage drops 2 miles per gallon in spite of conservation eff orts, or if a newer truck would yield an additional 2 mpg. Another indication to trade is when your total maintenance costs reach 15 percent of your gross revenue. Or as a rule of thumb, consider a new purchase when the principal, interest, maintenance and operating costs of an old vehicle are higher than the compara- ble costs attached to a new vehicle. The estimated resa le value of the old vehicle, coupled with any manufacturer's incentive on a new vehicle, may off set the higher cost of a new vehicle's principal and interest. The Partners in Business program is pro- duced by Overdrive and the consultants at ATBS, the nation's largest owner-operator business services firm. It is sponsored by Ryder and Truckstop.com. Free Partners in Business seminars will be held at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Aug. 24-26. To purchase a PIB manual, visit eTruckerStore.com. Many of the country's largest fleets saw their revenue and income take a hit from the sluggish freight market in 2016, according to yearend earnings reports issued by some publicly traded trucking companies. Among 11 of the largest, four saw an increase in revenue from 2015, but only one of them – J.B. Hunt – also saw income rise. Landstar, the nation's largest owner-oper- ator fleet, reported its gross revenue fell 4.5 percent to $3.17 billion in 2016. Net income dropped 7.4 percent to $137 million. The company ended 2016 strong. Record fourth-quarter revenue yielded the best quar- terly gross profit in 10 years. The number of loads hauled via truck rose 11 percent. CARRIERS' EARNINGS REFLECT SOFT 2016 Carrier Celadon -$12 (-32.4%) Covenant -$25 (-59.5%) Heartland -$17 (-23.3%) J.B. Hunt +$6 (+1.4%) Knight -$23 (-19.7%) Landstar -$11 (-7.4%) Marten -$2 (-5.6%) P.A.M. -$9 (-42.9%) Swift -$49 (-24.7%) USA Truck -$15 (-135%) Werner -$45 (-36.3%) Income change, 2015-2016 (millions)

• Cover
• Readers: Behind-the-wheel training minimum critical.
• Pulse: FMCSA backpedals on safety proposal.
• The ELD mandate and the “House Freedom Caucus.”
• Dry bulk for the long haul.
• “Build the wall”: Majority favors Trump plan.
• Lawsuit opposes Trump order to reduce regs.
• Industry united against safety rating change.
• Court to review border policy.
• C.R. England plans to appeal fraud ruling.
• Lag growing between CDL training, skills test.
• Big-rig race series returns in new format.
• Rare 96-year-old White 5-ton finds new home.
• Reader Rigs: ’07 W900L an ice cream truck; ’14 389 a “Green Monster”; ’09 W900L a million-miler.
• BUSINESS: Make the most of your tax deductions.
• Gear Guide: Trailer brake drum, wheels, clutches, more.
• FLEET NEWS: Averitt expands in Northeast, hiring drivers.
• 5 APPS FOR THAT: Matching book lovers with recordings.
• RESPECT THE DINOSAURS: Diverse drivers united for a common goal is what it’s all about, Wendy Parker writes. Page 8.
• COVER STORY: Sleight of truck | Imagine arriving at a gate and presenting papers to pick up a load. The man in the guard shack looks confused and says you’ve already been there and that the load is gone. Heists involving false identity and other fraud ar
• Dodging the middleman: While no one service will be “Uber for all” in the fragmented brokerage market, on-demand load-matching services are seeing some success at circumventing traditional brokers and promising gains for owner-operators in rates, freight
• $25,000 awaits top owner-operator: Three owner-operators – Gary Buchs, Philip Keith and Kevin Kocmich – are finalists for the 2016 Owner-Operator of the Year award, produced by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive.
• Maintaining your wheels: A pre-trip inspection for cracks and rust is usually sufficient for maintenance of aluminum and steel wheels. A few other best practices, though, can almost ensure that wheels last as long as your truck.