That’s Delivered Podcast

If cranking trailer landing gear by hand feels like “just part of the job,” this episode might change how you see it.

We’re talking with Stephen Davis, a 26-year CDL veteran and the creator of Turn N Burn — a landing gear drill adapter built to make drop-and-hook faster, safer, and a whole lot easier on your body.

Stephen breaks down the real-world problems drivers deal with every day: worn-out landing gear, bent handles, awkward trailer angles, bad weather, and the constant repetition that adds up when you’re moving five, six, or more trailers in a shift.

We get into how the adapter actually works in plain terms, why torque and durability became non-negotiable during development, and what it took to go from a rough idea to something drivers are trusting in the field.

Then we zoom out beyond the product. Stephen shares a real blueprint for trucking innovation — from building a proof of concept, finding the right patent attorney, protecting your idea, and pushing through the moments where money, logistics, and doubt all hit at once.

We also talk truck shows like MATS, live demos, criticism from skeptics, battery realities, and why he believes true scale comes through fleet and terminal adoption. Plus, he hints at a future university study to document repetitive strain and safety improvements.

Key Takeaways 👇 
 ✅ Hand-cranking landing gear isn’t just inconvenient — it’s a long-term strain on your body
 ✅ Repetition adds up fast when you’re moving multiple trailers per shift
 ✅ Torque and durability are critical when replacing manual cranking with power
 ✅ Innovation in trucking starts with solving real, everyday driver problems
 ✅ Protecting your idea (patents, proof of concept) is just as important as building it
 ✅ Fleet adoption is the key to scaling practical tools like this
 ✅ Tools like Turn And Burn can improve safety, efficiency, and driver longevity

If you care about trucking safety, injury prevention, fleet efficiency, and tools that actually respect drivers’ time and bodies — this is one you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe, share it with a driver who’s tired of cranking, and drop a review:
 Would you switch to a landing gear drill adapter?

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Freight is getting booked faster than ever—but the day-to-day can still feel chaotic. We sat down with Robert Rouse from DAT to get a real-world look at what’s changing in trucking and why the next wave of technology will reward carriers and brokers who balance speed with trust.

We break down how load booking has evolved—from phone calls and manual steps to today’s digital freight matching and automation—and why data flow is now the biggest bottleneck. Robert shares what made the Convoy platform stand out, especially how richer load details help vetted carriers make quicker, more confident decisions. From fraud prevention to stricter vetting, we explore how “trusted networks” are reshaping load boards—and why a little friction can actually make the marketplace stronger.

Then we get practical. We cut through the AI hype and focus on where it truly helps: eliminating repetitive admin work so teams can spend more time on relationships, service recovery, and solving real problems. We also cover profitability fundamentals—cost per mile, operating cost calculators, and how to properly use DAT rate analytics, including why benchmark ranges should be treated as directional, not exact.

We close with a key reality: data management is now a competitive advantage. The better your data is structured, the more powerful your tools—and your decisions—become.

If you’re trying to move faster without losing control, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

✅ Speed alone isn’t enough—trust is becoming the real differentiator
 ✅ Digital freight matching has replaced manual booking, but data flow is now the bottleneck
 ✅ Richer load details help carriers make faster and safer decisions
 ✅ Trusted networks and stricter vetting reduce fraud and strengthen marketplaces
 ✅ AI is most valuable when it removes repetitive admin work—not replaces people
 ✅ More efficiency means more time for relationships, service recovery, and planning
 ✅ Knowing your cost per mile is critical to staying profitable
 ✅ Rate analytics are directional tools—use them as a guide, not a guarantee
 ✅ Data quality and structure directly impact how effective your tools and AI are
 ✅ Carriers and brokers who manage data well will have a long-term edge

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Freight rates can jump 20 to 40 cents a mile in just a couple of weeks—and still have nothing to do with “more freight.” That’s the puzzle we break down with DAT’s Dean Croke, who brings a mix of data, economics, and real-world trucking experience to explain why the market feels so unpredictable right now.

We start with the big picture: a freight market near the bottom of its cycle, soft demand, and capacity slowly exiting—helping create a floor under dry van and reefer rates. Dean breaks down spot vs. contract rates and how weather tightens capacity by slowing the network, not adding freight. If you’ve chased hot lanes but still had a weak week, this connects volatility to real miles and revenue.

Then we go regional and seasonal—produce season in the South and Florida, reefer swings around holidays, and how enforcement and paperwork risks affect where drivers run. We also cover flatbed strength from construction and AI data centers, plus what to watch as produce shifts to California and ports rebound. On policy, we hit tariffs, bonded warehouses, and how “wait and see” behavior moves the market.

We wrap with practical insight: using ISM PMI and new orders as leading indicators, how Roadcheck Week (ELD focus) can tighten capacity fast, and a simple rule that works—start your day at the same time, every time.

If you want to better understand the market and stay ahead, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ Rate spikes don’t always mean more freight—capacity shifts drive volatility
 ✅ The market is near the bottom of the cycle, with capacity exits creating a rate floor
 ✅ Spot rates move fast, but contract rates lag—understanding both is key
 ✅ Weather impacts rates by slowing the network, not increasing demand
 ✅ Produce season and regional shifts can quickly change lane profitability
 ✅ Enforcement and paperwork risk influence where drivers choose to run
 ✅ Flatbed demand is supported by construction and AI data center growth
 ✅ Tariffs and policy uncertainty impact freight through shipper behavior, not just rules
 ✅ ISM PMI and new orders are strong leading indicators for freight trends
 ✅ Roadcheck Week (ELD focus) can tighten capacity almost overnight
 ✅ Consistency wins—starting your day at the same time improves performance and results

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Freight can swing from strong to brutal in a matter of days—but the biggest risks to carriers aren’t always listed on the rate confirmation. We sit down with Christian Greiner from DAT to break down what’s really changing in trucking today: stricter enforcement of long-standing rules, a spot market slowly returning toward pre-COVID capacity, and the reality that one bad decision can quickly derail an owner-operator’s cash flow.

We get into the real-world impact of freight fraud and double brokering—how broker impersonation works, why scammers thrive on urgency, and what drivers can do to protect themselves before they ever roll. Christian shares a simple but powerful habit: trust, but verify. Using official FMCSA data to confirm who you’re working with can be the difference between getting paid and getting burned.

From there, we zoom out into safety and fairness across the industry. The lowest rate isn’t always a win—especially when it’s tied to ELD manipulation, CDL mills, or “chameleon carriers” that reset under new MC numbers while legitimate carriers carry the long-term cost.

We also talk technology and trust—from the hype around automation and the Tesla Semi to the real role of AI as a tool that supports, not replaces, operators. Christian breaks down how DAT balances speed and trust in a two-sided network, why verification matters even when it slows things down, and how tools, acquisitions like Convoy, and factoring are shaping faster booking and more reliable cash flow.

If you’re trying to stay profitable, protected, and ahead of the curve in today’s freight market, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ Freight markets are stabilizing, but pressure on carriers is still very real
 ✅ Stricter enforcement means small mistakes can have bigger consequences
 ✅ Freight fraud and double brokering are growing—urgency is how scammers win
 ✅ “Trust but verify” using FMCSA data can prevent costly non-payment
 ✅ The cheapest load isn’t always worth it—especially when tied to unsafe practices
 ✅ “Chameleon carriers” create unfair competition by resetting under new MC numbers
 ✅ AI should support operations, not replace relationships and decision-making
 ✅ Verification may slow things down, but it protects trust and long-term business
 ✅ New tools, factoring, and acquisitions are helping speed up booking and stabilize cash flow

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

One bad day—that’s all it takes. An injury or illness can pull a driver off the road overnight, turning a steady paycheck into a stack of overdue bills. In this episode, Trucking Ray sits down with Diane Hutsell from the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund to talk about what really happens when life hits hard in trucking—and who’s there to help pick up the pieces.

We break down how the fund supports drivers and their families during financial crises, what expenses they cover (and why payments go directly to landlords and service providers), and how their updated application process is making it easier to get help faster. Diane also shares powerful, real-life stories—from drivers pushing themselves too soon after major health scares to families quietly struggling until they finally hear the words, “we’ve got you.”

But this isn’t just about reacting to crisis—it’s about preventing it. We dive into their growing health and wellness programs, including Rigs Without Cigs, diabetes prevention support, vaccine vouchers, and expanded resources for women in trucking—like cervical cancer screenings, at-home testing kits, and free telehealth follow-ups.

We also talk about building awareness in the industry, their presence at the Mid-America Trucking Show, and why so many drivers still don’t know help like this exists—until it’s almost too late.

If you’re a driver in need or want to support a trusted cause in trucking, visit truckersfund.org. Don’t forget to subscribe to That’s Delivered, share this episode with someone in the industry, and leave a review—because the more people who know, the more lives we can impact.

Key Takeaways: 👇

✅ One health emergency can instantly derail a driver’s financial stability
✅ The St. Christopher Fund helps cover essential living expenses—not luxuries
✅ Payments go directly to providers to ensure fast, reliable support
✅ The application process is now simpler and more accessible online
✅ Many drivers delay asking for help until it’s almost too late
✅ Prevention matters: free programs target smoking cessation, diabetes, and overall wellness
✅ Women-specific health resources are expanding, including at-home cancer screenings
✅ Awareness is still a major gap—many drivers don’t know help exists
✅ Community events like MATS play a big role in outreach and support

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

A lot can shift between contracts—and workers feel those changes first on the shop floor. In this grounded conversation, we sit down with Scott Wilkie, President of Teamsters Local 638 in Minnesota, for a real-time look at what union members and organizers are facing today: growing interest in organizing, economic pressures, layoffs, and sudden public scrutiny that can challenge union solidarity overnight.

We cover the frontline experience of union organizing, including:
✅ What workers should realistically expect when first reaching out about organizing
✅ Why rapid, clear communication and solid education are make-or-break
✅ How leadership transitions keep a local stable and member-focused during tough times

Scott shares insights from taking a visible public stand during high-tension community moments while continuing to serve a diverse range of industries and members every day.

We then zoom out to bigger-picture challenges in trucking and transportation, with special focus on:
✅ The UPS driver buyout controversy: why selective offers create serious fairness concerns, how cherry-picking who gets bought out impacts morale and equity, and the real risk of shrinking the bargaining unit ahead of the 2028 UPS contract negotiations
✅ The rise of automation and self-driving vehicles—and what “progress” really means for middle-class CDL jobs, local tax bases, and long-term economic stability

Finally, we connect the dots on gig economy threats, worker misclassification at companies like Roadie, FedEx, and Amazon, and a powerful real-world story of how one person's actions can ignite meaningful community support and momentum.

Key Takeaways: 👇

✅ Shop-floor conditions signal contract changes early—economic stress and layoffs are driving renewed organizing interest right now.
✅ Fast, transparent education and communication build trust and momentum when workers first explore unionizing.
✅ Strong leadership during transitions and public controversies keeps focus on protecting all members across industries.
✅ Selective UPS buyouts raise major fairness issues, threaten unit strength, and could weaken leverage heading into 2028 contract talks.
✅ Automation and autonomous trucks threaten good CDL jobs, local revenues, and economic stability—unions must prepare now.
✅ Gig work misclassification (Roadie, FedEx, Amazon) erodes standards—community solidarity can spark real change from the ground up.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

A black 1977 Mack R-Model. A CB dream called “Rubber Duck.” And a family that never let the legend stall out.

This episode dives into the life of Patrick Bruno—driver, collector, and co-owner of a genuine screen-used Convoy truck from the 1978 film. What began as a kid riding in grandpa’s dump truck became a mission to resurrect one of trucking’s most iconic rigs, keeping mechanical heritage alive against the rise of automation.

We trace Patrick’s three-generation trucking roots, the shop floors that built his skills, and how fascination turned into craftsmanship. Then we pop the hood on the Convoy Mack: swapping from a tired small-cam 855 to a correct big-cam Cummins, mastering the Fuller 9513 gearbox, overcoming “Franken-timed” breakdowns, and chasing the authentic details—Donaldson air cleaner stacks, fuel tank tells, wiring quirks—that prove this is the real screen survivor, not a tribute.

Beyond the wrenching, it’s about community: kids racing to touch movie history at shows, fans messaging from Australia and Germany, Friday-night convoys turning trucks into time machines, museum partnerships, American Trucker features, and upcoming Missouri events reviving the Rubber Duck spirit on main streets and fairgrounds.

This isn’t just about a truck—it’s memory in cast iron, pride in toolboxes, and the sound of a big cam idling right after decades of silence. Trucking culture is more than freight; it’s the soul of the road.

If classic iron, heritage horsepower, and real-road stories are your thing, queue this up.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ Family & Craft Roots — Three generations of shop floors and handed-down skills that turned childhood rides into lifelong preservation
✅ Restoration Journey — Big-cam 855 swap, 9513 gearbox, conquering mismatched timing, and the hunt for screen-accurate details like air cleaners and fuel tanks
✅ Authenticity Markers — What truly separates a movie-original Mack from even the best replicas
✅ Community Impact — Kids touching history, global fan love, town convoys, museum collabs, and Missouri’s upcoming Rubber Duck revival events
✅ Bigger Picture — Preserving these rigs keeps trucking’s independent spirit alive in an automated world

Subscribe, share with a fellow gearhead or Convoy fan, and drop a review—what trucking movie or rig should we feature next?

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

In this episode, OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh explains what’s happening in Washington and how it affects everyday truckers. We discuss the 2026 highway bill, free truck parking, broker transparency, freight fraud, CDL standards, and autonomous truck safety.

Lewie Pugh maps the landscape and shares what OOIDA is pushing for and what drivers can do right now. Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act—contact your lawmakers

👇 Key Takeaways

✅ Funding for safe, well-lit, free truck parking
✅ Stronger CDL and English proficiency standards
✅ Greater broker transparency
✅ Protection against freight fraud
✅ Autonomous trucking safety concerns
✅ Why drivers should contact lawmakers

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Freight keeps America moving, but the real story is the people behind the wheel. In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Ann Warner professional truck driver, entrepreneur, certified coach, and author of The Rough Road Ahead: A Driver's Guide to Resilience—to shine a light on the human side of over-the-road (OTR) life.

Jennifer shares her journey from school bus driver to cross-country team trucking with her husband—revealing the often-overlooked challenges like profound isolation (even with a partner right there in the cab), missed family milestones, and the hidden stresses that mileage pay simply can’t capture. That wide gap between earning a CDL and actually thriving in the lifestyle inspired her to create a practical resilience playbook built for real cab life not perfect conditions.

Jennifer’s core philosophy? Grace over perfection—one consistent good choice beats the all-or-nothing mindset that leads straight to burnout.

Whether you’re a driver, dispatcher, safety professional, or a trucker’s family member, this conversation delivers field-tested ideas for wellness, better communication, and positive culture shifts in trucking.

Explore Jennifer’s book, daily vlogs, monthly wellness blog, and more resources at www.compassconvoy.com. If this episode hits home, subscribe, share it with a fellow driver or manager, and drop a review sharing one habit that keeps you steady on the road—your story could be the encouragement someone else needs.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ Grace over perfection — Small, repeated good choices beat burnout-causing all-or-nothing thinking.

✅ Wellness fits the road — Micro-workouts, smart nutrition hacks, and quick stress resets that actually work with ELD rules.

✅ Isolation is real — Even team driving brings loneliness; acknowledge the emotional toll beyond the paycheck.

✅ Empathy drives retention — Managers who honor limits, holidays, and home time build stronger teams and better performance.

✅ Human factor wins long-term — In an era of tech and autonomy, honoring drivers’ skills and well-being ensures safer, more reliable freight movement.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Rates swing, tech buzz gets louder, and expectations rise. In this no-nonsense conversation, we sit down with Ryan Agnello to cut through the noise and get practical about what's really shifting in trucking. From the lingering effects of the freight recession to positioning for the next upswing, Ryan shares straight talk on the systems, people, and tough choices that separate resilient, profitable fleets from those just scraping by.

If you're ready to shift from survival mode to sustainable, margin-protecting growth through clear processes, connected data, and practical AI, this episode is your roadmap. Subscribe now, share it with a fellow carrier who needs the wake-up call, and drop a quick review to help more trucking leaders discover the show.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ Ditch disconnected tools—spreadsheets and texts create hidden margin leaks across fuel, pay, maintenance, and accessorial.
✅ A unified TMS turns into a profit engine by centralizing data for better dispatch, accounting, safety, and faster invoicing.
✅ Build proactive habits: clear processes, consistent shipper communication, and a driver-first mindset that treats people like family.
✅ Equip drivers with one mobile app for loads, docs, and status to reduce friction and speed up cash flow.
✅ Cut through AI hype—focus on practical, agentic AI that reduces deadhead, optimizes routes, and delivers profitability insights without replacing people.
✅ Track these weekly metrics religiously: on-time performance, profit per load (by customer/lane), true cost per mile (by unit), driver pay accuracy, and days-to-cash.
✅ For small fleets: Don't wait for pain—implement tech early; start an operational audit in dispatch to unlock faster billing and cash flow.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here