Companies that fail, said Feiger, often do not have customer contracts that include fuel surcharges.

The two executives said trucking companies take several measures to avoid being hit by rising fuel prices, including:

• Fuel and insurance surcharges in contracts.
• Long-term tire contracts with tire suppliers.
• Reconfiguration of tractors and trailers to improve aerodynamics.
• Electronics to monitor and improve engine performance to minimize "lost" fuel, such as fuel wasted with inefficient idling.