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fuel economy

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Oregon Grown, Oct 10, 2012.

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  1. Oct 10, 2012 #1
    Oregon Grown

    Oregon Grown Light Load Member

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    May 7, 2012
    lapine or
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    Hi all. I just got my cdl and am teaming up with an o/o also he is a very good friend.We are looking into buying a second truck as it would be for me to drive.we were thinking of the 20 to 30000$ truck.His truck now is a pretty clean 99 volvo and only gets about 5.5 mpg.We were crunching numbers and looking at trucks trying to figure out whether or not on comfy or cool.We came up with comfy would be the way to fly since it will be over the road.to make this work we figured fuel economy is going to be the one factor that will make it pay for itself and for me.Does any one have any feed back on what trucks are going to get the best fuel economy?We decided to step it up a bit in price and we are looking into possibly a freightliner cascadia , any input would be much appreciated.......Thanks
     
    Oregon Grown, Oct 10, 2012
    Oregon Grown, Oct 10, 2012
    #1
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  3. Oct 10, 2012 #2
    passion4polishing

    passion4polishing Road Train Member

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    Mar 7, 2012
    Tampa, FL
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    I drive a 2012 cascadia loaded between 73-78k. I see anywhere from 7.4-8.3mpg. Before the new drives it was pretty consistently over 8. I've heard a lot of bad about cascadia's before 2012 (along with other epa07 trucks) but I have no direct experience with a pre 2012 cascadia.
     
    passion4polishing, Oct 10, 2012
    passion4polishing, Oct 10, 2012
    #2
  4. Oct 10, 2012 #3
    Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    If he's only getting 5.5 out of a Volvo something is wrong. I get that with my W9, driving 65-70mph.
     
    Oscar the KW, Oct 10, 2012
    Oscar the KW, Oct 10, 2012
    #3
    Mr. PlumCrazy Thanks this.
  5. Oct 10, 2012 #4
    BretStep

    BretStep Light Load Member

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    Sep 27, 2011
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    A 20-$30,000 truck is like buying a 2-3,000 car. Be very carefull, a lot of people have went this road, only to have to put another 10 to 20 grand in it in a very short time to make it roadworthy and reliable.
     
    BretStep, Oct 10, 2012
    BretStep, Oct 10, 2012
    #4
  7. Oct 10, 2012 #5
    javelinjeff

    javelinjeff Medium Load Member

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    Aug 30, 2007
    victorville,ca
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    it is not so much the brand or model of the truck,,it is the gear ratios of the transmission and differentials,,and how hard you drive it that determines your MPG,,a truck with tall rear end gears will give you better mileage on the flats(lower numerical ratio),but will sacrifice power on hills,,I've seen two similar trucks get totally different milage figures,,my friend has 2.93 rear gears in his Freightliner with a 13 speed,,,the Freightliner I sold with 3.55 rear gears and a 10 speed only got 6.5,,,my friend gets almost 8.0 sometimes
     
    javelinjeff, Oct 10, 2012
    javelinjeff, Oct 10, 2012
    #5
    whoopNride Thanks this.
  8. Oct 10, 2012 #6
    Clasix1055

    Clasix1055 Even when I'm wrong I'm right

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    Jan 26, 2012
    Toledo, Ohio
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    Really? Huh thats good to know....since my $20,000 truck gets 6.5 - 7.0 mpg .... Did I mention it is an 02 Classic, but I guess thats not roadworthy or reliable enough

    to the op....It depends on how you drive the kind of region you run etc...when you factor what your fuel mileage will be I can get the same efficiency as newer more areodynamic trucks because I choose to run at 62 my loads are usually around 47,000# but I run mainly the midwest ... It is clear that either something is wrong with your Volvo, or your guy keeps his foot mashed to the floor
     
    Clasix1055, Oct 10, 2012
    Clasix1055, Oct 10, 2012
    #6
    jess-juju Thanks this.
  9. Oct 10, 2012 #7
    Dice1

    Dice1 Road Train Member

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    Jul 1, 2011
    Bessemer City, NC
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    I agree with this and it needs alot more details due to so many variables.

    Driver is alot of this and a Volvo even with a Cat motor can get over 9 mpg driven conservatively and with the right mechanical mods.
     
    Dice1, Oct 10, 2012
    Dice1, Oct 10, 2012
    #7
  10. Oct 10, 2012 #8
    thelushlarry

    thelushlarry Road Train Member

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    Jan 9, 2012
    glasgow ky
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    I agree to agree it is what is under the hood that counts!
     
    thelushlarry, Oct 10, 2012
    thelushlarry, Oct 10, 2012
    #8
  11. Oct 10, 2012 #9
    Oregon Grown

    Oregon Grown Light Load Member

    220
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    May 7, 2012
    lapine or
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    Thanks for the replies everyone. We did figure out one thing that the truck being a mid roof pulling a reefer unit doesnt seem so aerodinamic,correct me if im wrong.we are looking into a taller roof scoop and skirts and wheel discs. He tryes to keep it under 65 says that there is a noticeable difference in in mpg for sure. where does a person purchase these things ,Thanks:biggrin_25524:
     
    Oregon Grown, Oct 10, 2012
    Oregon Grown, Oct 10, 2012
    #9
  12. Oct 10, 2012 #10
    claytonr1973

    claytonr1973 Light Load Member

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    Jun 1, 2008
    miami,ok
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    I paid $14.5k for my 95 FLD(6 yrs ago) with new crate motor. I have averaged $1400 a year in repairs. Made a buttload of money with this old truck. We must be lucky.
     
    claytonr1973, Oct 10, 2012
    claytonr1973, Oct 10, 2012
    #10
    Clasix1055 and whoopNride Thank this.
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