From Arctic Ice to AI Rigs: What Truckers Need to Know This Week

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro:

This week in trucking, we’ve got it all — frozen Volvos in Alaska, robots hauling frozen pastries in Texas, and thieves snatching copper like it’s 1975. But don’t worry, we’re breaking it all down with Hervy’s Report Better News sauce. That means straight talk, trucker wisdom, and a touch of attitude.

🥶 Volvo's VNL Faces the Arctic Test

If you thought starting your rig in Ohio winter was bad, imagine this: Volvo took their all-new VNL sleeper cab up to Fairbanks, Alaska for real-world –40°F cold soaks.

Yeah, that’s right. They didn’t just run simulations in a lab—they drove 3,000 miles from Colorado to park it in the freezer. Then they let it sit overnight and tried to crank it back up in the morning. Why? Because any truck can look good on a sunny test track. The real test is whether it fires up after a night of Alaskan hell freeze.

Why it matters:

Reliability = Paycheck – If your truck won’t start, you don’t roll. If you don’t roll, you don’t get paid.

Volvo’s betting big – This isn’t just a winter commercial; it’s their “proof of life” for the future of long-haul equipment.

Driver confidence – Knowing your rig won’t punk out in extreme cold could sway buyers looking for durability.

👉 Read the full article

🚗 Aurora’s Driverless Trucks: Welcome to Robo-Trucking

Texas just became the first big playground for Aurora’s autonomous trucks, with rigs driving over 1,200 miles from Dallas to Houston without a human behind the wheel. They’re hauling frozen goods for Uber Freight like it’s just another Tuesday.

Is this the future or a tech horror movie?

Here’s the breakdown:

Real deliveries, real miles – Not just test drives. These robots are in active service now.

Big expansion plans – They’re going from 2 to 20 trucks by the end of the year.

Truckers nervous? Yes and no – Nobody likes losing jobs to robots, but let’s be honest—these things still can’t chain up in a blizzard or back into a tight dock with attitude.

👉 Read the full article

💰 Copper Heists: Thieves Targeting Trailers

If you're hauling copper, watch your six. Theft of copper loads is up 61% this year, with crooks scamming load boards and even impersonating carriers to swipe shipments right out from under real drivers.

Truckers are feeling the pressure:

Easy money for thieves – Copper’s prices are sky high, and it’s easy to flip.

Fake identities fooling brokers – These aren’t dumb street hustlers; they’re organized and tech-savvy.

Protect your load – Use secure load boards, verify dispatches, and don’t park like a sitting duck.

👉 Read the full article

🔧 ArcBest CEO Judy McReynolds Retires

After steering ArcBest through rough freight markets and digital upgrades, CEO Judy McReynolds is stepping down at the end of 2025. President Seth Runser will take over January 1.

Why it matters:

Leadership shakeup – Could mean new direction, new policies, or just more of the same.

ArcBest is no small player – They pulled in $4.2 billion last year and have major influence in LTL and logistics.

Watch the Q3 earnings call – That’s where you’ll see if this is a smooth handoff or a shaky shift.

👉 Read the full article

🚫 North Carolina Bans Truck Booting

Starting December 1st, North Carolina will no longer allow commercial trucks to be booted. And if someone tows your load and refuses to return it? That’s a crime now.

Why drivers are celebrating:

No more roadside ransom – Those shady tow companies that hit you for $2K to release your load? Done.

Legal protection for carriers – Violators now face Class 2 misdemeanors.

This could spread – If it works in NC, expect other states to jump on board.

👉 Read the full article

Bottom Line:

This week in trucking proves two things: 1. **The game is changing**—fast. From cold-start tech to driverless rigs, we’re not in Kansas anymore. 2. **Drivers need to stay sharp**—because while the gear might evolve, your instincts and experience still matter most.
💡 Want to learn how to make money while you're still behind the wheel and plan your exit before burnout?
👉 Go to RetireFromTrucking.com
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