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•July 28, 2015

Daredevil Shatters Record with 166-foot Truck Jump

Equipment Editor Jim Park, can think of a lot of things he'd like to do in a big truck, but jumping over a 160-foot abyss isn't one of them. In his 'On the Road' blog he explains he'll gladly leave that to the professionals.

Articles•by Jim Park•July 25, 2015

Preventing Irregular Wear on Wide-Base Tires

Do wide-base single tires wear differently than standard tires in dual assemblies? We address that question and give tips on how proper care of your wide-base single tires can improve their life and ROI.

Articles•by Jim Park•July 23, 2015

Quick Spin: Kenworth's Icon 900

Kenworth’s bold and unapologetic limited-edition “large car” doesn’t disappoint.

Articles•by Jim Park•July 23, 2015

How Nice Cabs Can Affect Driver Satisfaction

Whatever the reason for their discontent, the driver turnover rate for 2014 wound up at over 95%. Perhaps a newer, better mattress would help them sleep better at night or an on-board satellite TV system or a more comfortable seat?

On the Road•by Jim Park•July 9, 2015

Were Those Old Trucks Really as Good as We Remember?

A weekend at an antique and classic truck show opens up the floodgates and the memories of 20 years on the road come flooding back. Equipment Editor Jim Park makes a few seat-of-the-pants comparisons of the truck he used to drive to the trucks we're driving today.