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.

News•by Jim Park•April 29, 2013

Tony the Truckstop Tiger has to Go

Tony, a 550-lb, 12-year-old Bengal-Siberian tiger that lives in a 40 by 80 foot pen at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La. may soon need a new home.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 10, 2013

Are Your Driving Habits Feeding Your Fuel Bill?

Poor fuel mileage can be a make-or-break proposition for owner-operators, and a lot of whether you get 6 mpg or 8 mpg depends on your skills and habits as a driver. Two drivers on two identical trucks can see a difference of up to 30% in fuel economy. Much of that chasm stems from good or bad pedal and stick management, and the driver's willingness to use available technology to his best advantage.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 9, 2013

5 Reasons to Outsource your Tire Maintenance

Tire maintenance is like preparing a fine meal. Unless you really like cooking and are very good at it, it's far easier – and safer sometimes – to visit a nice restaurant. Here are five reasons you might want to consider outsourcing your tire work.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 8, 2013

Don't Let Poor Brake Adjustment Catch You Unawares

While equipment defects are a cause in only a small percentage of truck crashes, brake defects account for a large percentage of the trucks taken out of service. Many of those defects are adjustment issues.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 8, 2013

Tire Makers Look for Alternatives to Natural Rubber

Although we're in no danger of running short of our primary source of natural rubber, prices have risen dramatically over the past 10 years, contributing to rising prices for tires. Several tire makers are researching other sources of rubber.

On the Road•by Jim Park•April 5, 2013

Mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training: Is There a Better Way?

In his "On the Road" blog, Equipment Editor and former driver and owner-operator Jim Park wonders if three months of mandatory entry-level training would have made him a better driver.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 4, 2013

How to Prevent Flat Tires

A driver picks up a trailer from a drop yard. Before departing, the driver does a walk-around inspection, kicks the tires, checks the lights and then sticks it into the wind. He or she has no idea how much air pressure is in those tires, except to be fairly sure none of them is flat — visibly flat, that is. Any one or several of those tires could be underinflated, or even technically flat.

Articles•by Jim Park•April 3, 2013

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