Inside Lane Survey

Email*

1.Where are you based? (I.e. Florida)

2.What’s your current role?

Owner / Owner-Operator

Fleet Owner

Operations Manager

Dispatch Manager

Safety/Compliance Manager

Driver Manager

Driver

Maintenance Manager

Logistics/Back Office

Other

3.What’s the ownership structure of your business?

Independently owned

Part of a larger fleet/network

Franchise

Other

4.How many trucks are currently in your fleet?

2–5

6–10

11–20

21-49

50+

5.How big is your team?

Fewer than 5

5–9

10–19

20–99

100+

6.What’s your company’s annual revenue?

Pre-revenue/Startup

Under $250K

$250K–$499K

$500K–$999K

$1M–$4.99M

$5M+

7.How much do you budget each year for new technology to support your fleet or operations?

Less than $10,000

$10,000–$50,000

$50,001–$100,000

$100,001–$500,000

More than $500,000

Unknown

8.Which types of technology does your fleet currently use?

ELD or telematics systems

AI or automation tools

Dispatch or fleet-management platforms

Route optimization or load platforms

Maintenance or compliance software

HR/payroll tools

Other

9.What types of products or services are you considering purchasing in the next 12 months?

ELD or telematics systems

AI or automation tools

Dispatch or fleet-management platforms

Route optimization or load platforms

Maintenance or compliance software

HR/payroll tools

Other

10.How much decision-making authority do you have when purchasing new products or services?

I make the final decision

I share the decision

I recommend but do not decide

I’m not involved

11.Which services does your business currently outsource or rely on external partners for?

Marketing or digital presence

Website or SEO

IT or cybersecurity

Bookkeeping or accounting

HR or payroll

Fleet-management or compliance support

None

Other

12.What topics would you most like to read about in Inside Lane?

Trucking tech and AI tools

Finding loads and growing revenue

Hiring and driver retention

Fuel, maintenance, and cost-saving strategies

Compliance and regulation updates

Reducing burnout and workload

Scaling or adding trucks

Other

13.What’s the biggest professional challenge you’re facing right now?

Hiring and keeping qualified drivers

Finding loads or increasing revenue

Rising fuel or maintenance costs

Meeting customer expectations

Managing compliance or safety requirements

Implementing or upgrading fleet tech

Competing with other carriers

Other

14.What takes up most of your time in a typical week?

Communicating with customers or brokers

Scheduling loads or planning routes

Managing drivers

Marketing or finding new business

Accounting, payroll, or expenses

Vehicle maintenance or inspections

Researching or setting up new technology

Staying on top of regulations or certifications

Other

15.Where do you see yourself and your fleet in five years?

Growing fleet size or customer base

Expanding into new lanes or services

Stepping back to focus on strategy or leadership

Moving into logistics, brokerage, or related ventures

Joining a larger carrier or network

Starting another business

Specializing in a niche lane or cargo type

Coaching, consulting, or training other carriers

Exploring opportunities outside trucking

Retiring or scaling back

Other

16.Which categories of cargo do you regularly haul?

Retail & Consumer Goods (clothing, electronics, packaged)

Temperature-Controlled Perishables (produce, meat, dairy)

Building & Construction Materials (steel, lumber, cement)

Bulk Liquids/Chemicals/Fuel (gasoline, crude, solvents)

Agricultural/Bulk Dry Goods (grain, feed, fertilizer)

Heavy & Oversized Machinery (equipment, industrial parts)

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

Other

17.Based on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your primary vehicle(s), which commercial weight class does your truck(s) operate in?

Heavy-Duty (Class 8): Over 33,000 lbs (semi-tractor)

Heavy-Duty (Class 7): 26,001–33,000 lbs (straight trucks)

Medium-Duty (Class 4-6): 14,001–26,000 lbs (box trucks)

Light-Duty (Class 1-3): 0–14,000 lbs (pickups, cargo vans)

Not a commercial truck operator (broker/dispatcher only)

18.If you operate a Class 8 (Heavy-Duty) Tractor, which type is it?

Sleeper Cab (Designed for multi-day trips)

Day Cab (local/regional runs, driver returns home daily)

Cabover (The flat-front design, less common in the US)

I do not operate a Class 8 Tractor

19.What is the typical hauling radius for your fleet? (Single-Select)

Local/Intra-city (Less than 100 miles)

Regional (Within 1-3 states/Up to 500 miles)

National/OTR (Over-the-Road, coast-to-coast)

Mix of Regional and National

20.What is your primary method for securing loads? (Single-Select)

Direct contracts with shippers

Freight brokers/Load boards

Dedicated contract with a single company

Operating under a lease agreement with a larger carrier

Other

21.Where do you feel the greatest pressure on your operational budget right now? (Select the top 2)

Fuel costs

Driver wages and benefits

Insurance premiums and liability

Vehicle maintenance and parts

Technology subscriptions/ELD fees

Compliance costs (permits, fees)

Equipment purchasing or leasing payments

22.What is the average age of the tractors/power units in your fleet? (Single-Select)

Less than 2 years

2–5 years

6–10 years

10+ years

23.Which aspect of safety and compliance presents the greatest challenge to your business today? (Single-Select)

Driver Recruitment & Retention: finding, keeping drivers

Insurance & Liability Costs: rising premiums, accident risk

Maintenance & Inspections: DOT compliance, upkeep schedules

Hours-of-Service (HOS): ensuring ELD/HOS rules are followed

CSA Scores/Audits: managing scores, preparing for audits

None of the above/safety is well-managed

24.What is the primary method your business uses to acquire new or replacement tractors and trailers? (Select all that apply)

Purchasing New from a dealer or manufacturer

Purchasing Used from a dealer or private seller

Leasing (operating/finance) via dealer or finance co

Auctions (online or in-person public auctions)

Build-to-Order (custom chassis or vocational equipment)

Primarily using Owner-Operators (own equipment)

Other

25.Question (If applicable to fleet owners with 2+ trucks): Which factor do you feel is the most effective in retaining drivers? (Single-Select)

Competitive Pay & Bonuses (mileage rates, safety bonuses)

Home Time/Work-Life Balance (predictable routes, time off)

Quality Equipment (newer trucks, comfort features)

Benefits & Insurance (health, dental, retirement plans)

Respectful/Supportive Culture & Management

Providing consistent, high-paying loads

26.When consuming industry news or insights, which format do you prefer? (Select all that apply)

Quick-read articles and news digests

In-depth, long-form investigative reports or guides

Videos (e.g., YouTube, short-form clips)

Podcasts or audio summaries

Data visualizations (infographics, charts)

Interactive tools (cost calculators, compliance checklists)

27.How often would you like to receive Inside Lane?

Once a week

Twice a week

Three times a week

28.Are you interested in webinars about trucking and fleet operations?

Yes

I’m not sure

29.Where do you usually get industry news or insights outside of Inside Lane?

Trucking newsletters or industry sites (FreightWaves, CCJ)

Industry associations or events

LinkedIn or social media

Podcasts or YouTube channels

Trade publications

Mainstream news

I don’t regularly follow trucking news

Other

Subscribe to The Inside Lane

Beat the competition. Stay ahead with your fastest route to trucking news, insights and tips.

By signing up to receive our newsletter you agree to our Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Trucking news & exclusive insights for industry leaders