Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85438
Leatherwood's 2006 Western Star 4900EX has a 515-hp Detroit Diesel and 10-speed transmission. "I buy used for what I can afford," he says. 'Attention to I n the 20 years that he's been an owner-operator, Beaumont, Texas, native James Leatherwood has learned more than his fair share of lessons, but one stands out: "Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance," he says. "Know your truck and keep a close eye on it." In 1992, Leatherwood bought 42 OVERDRIVE JULY 2012 his first truck, a silver 1988 Freightliner Classic with a nine-speed transmission and a 400 Cummins Big Cam. From the beginning, he took a hands-on approach to maintenance, which he says is a one-man job. "If you don't get up under the truck yourself and get to know it, you won't notice when something is wrong. Mechanics are often in a hurry just to detail' Texas trucker's focus on keeps him on the maintenance path of success. BY ELIZABETH MANNING get the job done and don't take time to pay attention to detail." Doing your own work, he adds, you'll see the outcomes of bad driving habits clearly, "like how hard you're coming down on your brakes on a regular basis, or how your usual speed is affecting your truck." He's been as hands-on with customizations as he is with Guiseppe Barranco