What The Truck?

12/03/2025

Tariff turmoil hits shippers; truckers squat across the world; selling solar | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 813 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking about the impact tariffs are having on shippers. We’ll take a look at how U.S. shippers are reacting to new tariff bills that they’re being hit with. Will they pass the cost on to the consumer?

One World Supply Chain Consulting’s Mike Eischer talks about how his clients are reacting to tariff turmoil and how they’re restructuring their supply chains to offset new costs.

Truck drivers die on average 16 years earlier than the general population. A dangerous gig combined with a sedentary lifestyle is having massively detrimental effects on U.S. truck drivers. Offshift’s Mark Manera drops by to talk about the importance of driver health and about why we teamed up again to get the industry squatting.

Jonathon Reese went from trucking to selling solar. We’ll get a driver’s perspective on the good, the bad and the ugly about the profession.

Plus, MLB recalls “vulgar” hat; trucking toddlers; and more.

Watch now here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tariff-turmoil-hits-shippers-truckers-squat-across-the-world-selling-solar-what-the-truck

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

10/03/2025

How easy is it to hack a semi truck?; tipping lumpers; trucking safety | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 812 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking to Fleet Defender’s Terry Reinert about hacking semi trucks. How vulnerable are these 80k lb machines? From maleworm worms in ELDs to remote controlled semi trucks, we’ll take a look at how fleets are getting hacked.

Beyond hacking, fleet safety is always top of mind. We’ll find out how trucking companies are keeping drivers and the motoring public safe with Tenstreet’s Taylor McIlroy and Ploger Transportation’s Bob Ware.

TruSygnal connects shippers and carriers on contract freight opportunities. We’ll find out from co-founder Ed Burns how it works and why he is building the company.

Plus, should you tip your lumper; trucking company files chapter 11; new FMCSA head and more.

Watch now: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-easy-is-it-to-hack-a-semi-truck-tipping-lumpers-trucking-safety-what-the-truck

2:43 Headlines: Tipping lumpers; trucking co files chapter 11; new FMCSA head
7:33 How hard is it to hack a semi? | Terry Reinart
20:43 Squats Across America
22:02 Fleet safety | Bob Ware and Taylor McIlroy
30:14 G Face locked up?
32:35 Founding TruSygnal | Ed Burns

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Terry Reinart; Ed Burns; Taylor McIlroy; Bob Ware

07/03/2025

Will SHIPS Act make ship building great again; hauling world’s largest train set | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 811 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is catching up with Dredging Contractors of America’s William Doyle to talk about the SHIPS Act; making shipbuilding great again; and the impact of port fees and tariffs.

We just moved the world’s largest trainset from EnterTRAINment Junction in Cincinnati to Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the help of Elizabeth’s Moving & Storage. We’ll meet Frank Youmans and Anne Elizabeth Youmans to learn all about the logistics behind this high-touch, white-glove move that took more than 20 trailers.

Plus, tariff Tuesday was just a head fake as Canada and Mexico tariffs are delayed again; dirtiest loads and more.

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Chapters
2:33 Tariffs delayed again
6:48 Moving the world’s largest train set | Elizabeth’s Moving and Storage
21:35 Dirtiest trucking jobs
22:37 Make ship building great again | William Doyle

Watch https://www.freightwaves.com/news/will-ships-act-make-ship-building-great-again-hauling-worlds-largest-train-set-what-the-truck

05/03/2025

American Truckers United exposes labor dumping in trucking; will Trump fix it? | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 810 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to American Truckers United’s Shannon Everett about the labor dumping problem in trucking. Did the pandemic-fueled bull freight market open the floodgates for inexperienced and dangerous drivers to enter the industry? Will Trump’s executive orders clamp down on the issue? Everett breaks it all down.

Sentry Logistics’ Luke Havener is a home furnishing logistics expert. We’ll find out how this type of freight works and what’s harder to deliver to: warehouses or people’s houses.

Plus, tariff Tuesday fallout; Squats Across the World continues; and a rate the strap work that would make OSHA blush.

Watch here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/american-truckers-united-exposes-labor-dumping-in-trucking-will-trump-fix-it-what-the-truck

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

03/03/2025

Cargo thefts surge 49%; driver training under Trump; up close with NASA crawler | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 809 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking about the massive surge in cargo theft that is plaguing the freight industry. Overhaul’s Danny Ramon shares the company’s latest report, which shows an astounding 49% increase in cargo thefts in 2024 compared to 2023. Is 2025 on track to set an even higher record, and what can fleets do to protect themselves? We’ll get into it.

Driver training standards could change drastically under President Donald Trump. Commercial Vehicle Training Association’s Andrew Poliakoff talks about the latest changes and executive orders that could impact the way you hire drivers.

You think you haul heavy? Dooner headed down to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to meet the largest self-propelled land vehicle on Earth, NASA’s crawler. We’ll find out how this 60-year-old monster rig is bringing Americans back to the moon.

Plus, Squats Across America returns; de minimis ruling clarified; final destination at the gate; and more.

Watch now here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cargo-thefts-surge-49-driver-training-under-trump-up-close-with-nasa-crawler-what-the-truck

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

02/03/2025

😭

28/02/2025

Trump’s tariffs are coming March 4th…or are they? | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 808 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking about Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada that are set to begin on March 4. Will they happen and will reciprocal tariffs happen in April? We get into the latest news on the trade war.

The World Trade Bridge is celebrating its 25th anniversary and we’re celebrating it with Port Laredo. Kent Richard smartens us up on how this crucial gateway works.

Truck Parking Club has been scaling rapidly and building an all-star team. Brent Hutto jumped ship from Truckstop to Truck Parking Club early this week and we’ll find out why he made the big move. We’ll also get into the road to the Mid-America Trucking Show where we’re teaming up.

What FreightTech trends will dominate logistics and trucking in 2025? Trigent Software’s Nagendra Rao breaks down their latest report.

Plus, is it a good idea to get drunk in a semi truck trailer?

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Watch https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trumps-tariffs-are-coming-march-4thor-are-they-what-the-truck

26/02/2025

3PL Summit: Truckstop’s state of the spot market | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 807 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is coming to you live from FreightWaves’ 3PL Summit. He’s talking to Truckstop’s Sean Dehan about the state of the spot market. Did the freight recession recovery see its shadow? Is political uncertainty destabilizing or helping rates? We’ll also look at how Truckstop is integrating AI into their platform.

CloneOps’ David Bell is fully on board with always-on AI agents. Can they fill the customer service and brokerage gaps where reps may be lacking? What happens when an AI agent calls another AI agent? And can tech solve the growing fraud problem in freight?

It’s about to be hot trucker summer so time to get in shape, drivers. 160 Driving Academy’s Steve Gold talks about the importance of driver health to a functioning supply chain.

Plus, freight theft strikes again; truckers with goats as pets; and Trump reveals AI generated plan for Gaza.

Watch now: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/3pl-summit-truckstops-state-of-the-spot-market-what-the-truck
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Sean Dehan; David Bell; Steve Gold

21/02/2025

Mid America Trucking show preview; what the truck is up with plane crashes? | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 806 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is catching up with Mid-America Trucking Show event organizer Toby Young! We’ll find out what’s going to go down when over 50,000 truckers and industry professionals descend upon Kentucky next month.

Supertrucker Justin Martin returns to the show to talk about trucking’s biggest and most controversial issues, like immigration hiring by fleets, cleaning snow off a trailer, parking and more.

What the truck is up with all these plane crashes? AirlineGeeks founder Ryan Ewing tells us everything we need to know about what’s going wrong with these commercial airline crashes.

Plus, we just got back from Kennedy Space Center and we’ll take our first look at what we were doing over there.

Watch here https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mid-america-trucking-show-preview-what-the-truck-is-up-with-plane-crashes-what-the-truck

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

20/02/2025

Inside the newsletter:

- What the truck is going on with airplane crashes?
- The ballad of Nikola
- This weeks top stories as well as what's coming up and what's happened on the show

Read it here and subscribe within if you like. You don't have to be a subscriber to read it: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-the-truck-is-going-on-with-plane-crashes

14/02/2025

Trucking love stories; Trump’s reciprocal tariffs; Response’s $4M seed round | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 804 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is celebrating Valentine’s Day in the supply chain by sharing your best trucking love stories.

Trump writes a love letter to the world by slapping every country with reciprocal tariffs. What you need to know before April 1.

Response raised $4 million to simplify spend and procurement management. We’ll meet CEO and co-founder Keivan Shahida.

Before you head out on a date, you may want to know whose car you’re getting in. If you’re shipping freight, you want to know who is hauling that load. J. J. Keller’s Mark Schedler talks all about background checks and MVR reports.

Watch: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking-love-stories-trumps-reciprocal-tariffs-responses-4m-seed-round-what-the-truck

Stephenson & Co. founder John Stephenson shares insights from their latest industry benchmarks.

12/02/2025

Can Big Balls and Capt. John Konrad save America? | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 803 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to gCaptain CEO John Konrad about the local and global impacts of Trump’s recent executive orders and actions.

Capt. Konrad will break down the Gulf of America name change; the push for Greenland; trade wars with Canada and Mexico; Gaza; the Red Sea conflict; whether DOGE will audit agencies like the Federal Maritime Commission and the Department of Transportation; and more.

Plus, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” review, how much it costs when a truck hits a traffic light and more.

Watch here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/can-big-balls-and-capt-john-konrad-save-america-what-the-truck

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

10/02/2025

Spot rates slip 10%; licensed customs broker talks tariffs; stolen chassis ring | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 802 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is trying to make sense of a series of whiplash tariff and de minimis rulings. Licensed customs broker, Ernesto Hernandez Jr., lets us know how the rulings will work, when they’ll go into effect, and what else we need to watch for in global trade.

In headlines, spot rates slip 10% from holiday peak; Super Bowl hangovers cost businesses $3B; and a stolen chassis ring in Los Angeles gets busted.

Supply chain goes to college. MAKA Logistics’ Rob Liss talks about his appointment to Loyola University Chicago Supply Chain and Sustainability Advisory Board 2025.

FLS Transportation’s Justin Ross shares his knowledge on 3PL corporate training.

RIP Wojtek.

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/spot-rates-slip-10-licensed-customs-broker-talks-tariffs-stolen-chassis-ring-what-the-truck

07/02/2025

Super Bowl was brought to you by a truck; best fleets to drive for in ‘25 | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 801 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking about how the Super Bowl was brought to you by a truck. From stadium infrastructure to food, beverages, and high-priority event shipments. New data from Truckstop reveals key freight trends shaping Big Game logistics.

What are the best fleets to drive for? CarriersEdge CEO Jane Jazrawy has the list. Did your fleet make it?

The original king of comedy from the cab, Larry Cothran talks trucking and influencing. With over 100k followers on TikTok, he got 3.5 million likes before he even got 1 million miles behind the wheel.

Some call him “The Voice of the American Trucker”, owner-operator Taylor Barker stops by to talk about his POV on freight from behind the wheel. He also talks about the ‘Truck the Vote’ movement and if it helped tip the election.

Watch now here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/super-bowl-was-brought-to-you-by-a-truck-best-fleets-to-drive-for-in-25

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

05/02/2025

Trump and trade: Method to the madness?; moving the world’s largest trainset | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 800 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to Fortis Analysis’ Ross Kennedy about Trump’s early trade moves. From delayed tariffs to the death of de minimis shipments out of China, we’ll cover it all. We’ll also look at Trump saying that the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip. Is it America first?

FreightWaves and Elizabeth’s Moving & Storage have teamed up to move the world’s largest trainset. Dooner went up to Cincinnati to check out the logistics of this 20-trailer megashipment and rode along in a semi with one of the loads and driver Donny.

Journey’s Morgan MacDermaid stops by the studio to talk about recruiting in Q1 and how the job market is looking.

Wattsmen Diesel House’s Sam Watts has the top 10 Critical and top 10 Acute violations for 2024.

Plus, MLB Truck Day is the first sign of spring; UPS delivers in North Carolina; and more.

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Watch: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trump-and-trade-method-to-the-madness-moving-the-worlds-largest-trainset-what-the-truck

31/01/2025

Trump: Tariffs start Saturday; scaling truck parking; AI agents answer the call | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 798 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by the special guest co-host Reed Loustalot from Truck Parking Club.

They’re covering headlines about Trump’s 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada that start on Saturday; and the best fleets to drive for in ‘25.

We’ll also find out how Truck Parking Club has massively scaled available truck parking for drivers through great business acumen…and viral TikTok videos. Plus, we’ll talk about our big plans together for the Mid-America Truck Trucking Show.

David Bell built Lean Solutions Group, now he’s making AI agents who are answering the call at CloneOps. We’ll find out all about what’s good in the supply chain AI landscape.

Freight Essentials Dylan Admire shares the latest on his lawsuit against WWEX Group.

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Watch now here: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trump-tariffs-start-saturday-scaling-truck-parking-ai-agents-answer-the-call-what-the-truck

29/01/2025

W***y Wonka of the Midwest talks chocolate and the Valentine’s Day supply chain | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On Episode 797 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to all about chocolate and the Valentine’s Day supply chain with Bissinger’s Chief Chocolate Officer Dan Abel Jr. With Valentine’s Day just two weeks away, we’ll find out how this more than 300-year-old chocolatier is filling mailboxes and relationships with the best handcrafted chocolates in the nation.

Harbor Trucking Association CEO Matt Schrap gives us the down and dirty on the drayage scene in California. With the Advanced Clean Fleets waiver now officially withdrawn by Trump, what does this mean for fleets serving some of America’s busiest ports?

Plus, $200 million Chinese smuggling ring busted at Southern California ports; judge blocks Trump funding freeze; BelugaST goes belly-up and more.

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

Watch now https://www.freightwaves.com/news/willy-wonka-of-the-midwest-talks-chocolate-and-the-valentines-day-supply-chain-what-the-truck

27/01/2025

Nikola FCEV: 1-year performance review; Trump vs Colombia; Motion Museum | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

On episode 796 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking to Coyote Container’s William Hall about his experience owning a Nikola Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle for the past year. He’ll share the highs and lows of ownership, if the truck is viable for an operation like yours, and what changes to EV mandates mean for the future of EV trucks.

Firecrown Founder and CEO Craig Fuller is getting the Motion Museum on track. He stops by the show to talk about our weekend mission to Massachusetts to check out the Railroad Hobby Show, our plans for content, and the logistics behind bringing a museum of freight miniatures to life.

R&R Express’ Anthony Impavido rates the strap work.

Plus, Trump vs Colombia, CN braces for strike, Taylor Swift advances to Super Bowl, dogs on lawnmowers, and more.

Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/nikola-fcev-1-year-performance-review-trump-vs-colombia-motion-museum-what-the-truck