what are the best specs on truck? ratio? wheelbase? best mpg

the truck brand is the wrapper. Aesthetically, only YOU can figure out what you want. I decided elbow room and double bunk were important. I also insisted on wanting to have side windows as well. I might keep the curtains drawn on them all the time, but I have the option to open them whenever I care to.

As to engine, that's a personal choice as well. I'll put it to you this way. Running a business is about cutting expenses. Not saying run cheap, just cut costs where you can. Go price a complete set of filters for a cat vs a detroit vs a cummins. Or a set of injectors. How about an in-frame. Then make a list of pros and cons in prices.

Gears, tires and transmissions all go hand in hand. My 13 spd with 3.42 gears and LP 22.5 puts me at 1400 rpm for 65 mph. 1500 puts me around 70ish in the top hole. My detroit REALLY comes alive when you drop it to 8 Direct and 1650 rpm. It really wants to pull hills even at 80K gross weight. It'll lope along at 55 in that gear around 1400 rpm. Drop it to 7OD, it goes back to 1600ish rpm and 55 mph. A beast that will pull. And right now I have a bad CAC in it. The new one should be here this afternoon. Will be interesting to see where the mileage goes after it's installed.

If I were to go to a Tall 22.5, it would change ALL that. My RPM would drop and my speeds would go up. I would have to reprogram the ECM for the tire size to bring it all back so that: the speedo was correct and the fuel/timing curves were correct too. With the right software, very easy to do. There are tables that give a diesel tech the tire sizes to put into the ECM for it. If you are getting ECM printouts, compare the ecm setting for the actual tire size on the truck too.

Tire sizes impact both Gross weight and unsprung weight. Gross is obvious, unsprung not so much. Unsprung weight will effect ride quality. It will also effect load capacity. A tall 24.5 will carry more weight than a LP 22.5 A 5-axle truck though for FAK in a box trailer will do more than fine though on LP 22.5. The LP 22.5 will also have the lowest cost for replacement tires too compared to any of the other sizes.

Other things to look at.

Trailer gap to the cab. I have 30" between the cab skirt and the trailer. Without it, more like about 46" I can still get in and out and check the reefer or put up my load locks. I can move the 5th wheel forward if I want to, but it's set now with my trailer so that if I am at 80K, I am 12/34/34. I slide the trailer to make the adjusts. That's it. I have scaled 80,400ish and hit all axles perfect. With the APU, lot of states let you have a 400 lb allowance for the APU.

Trailer gap is also going to be effected by the king pin setback on the trailer. I want to say mine is like 36". Pretty much industry standard. It's not common to find a different set-back. But they are out there. I looked at one trailer that was at 42" or 48". Can't remember which is was. It really closed the gap on the tractor. It would have been nice for a truck with a long wheel base though too. The two go hand in hand though. Big wheel base needs big kingpin set back. Or else live with the gap and that robs fuel mileage.


Spec's I insisted on:
Detroit engine. I would have preferred a non-egr engine, but went with a 2007. Had more to do with what the bank would finance. Age was a consideration.

13 spd transmission. Remember when looking. A 9 speed can often be converted to a 13 spd. Just a consideration is all.

3.42 or 3.55 gears with lp 22.5 tires. Goes to the gearing and final gear ratio and where the cruising/engine speed would be. I think I would have really liked the 3.55 better.

APU was a first must over ALL other items.

I wanted the Century for the wide body and double bunks. Space alone is tight. If my wife or kids go with, it's an even bigger premium. My 12 yo has already spent one week with me in the truck. I am glad I made that choice. If I go to an EPA10 model truck, I wouldn't rule out a T660 or Pete 386. I don't like the electronics in the cascadia's. The century is testing my patience. I can't say I am impressed from what I am hearing on the KW or pete's either in that category.

 

Buddy, How many more times are you going to start a thread asking (essentially) the SAME Questions????

I make It at least 12 in the last couple of Weeks............

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...781-guys-buying-truck-schneider-bad-idea.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...owner-operator/209477-detroit-vs-cummins.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...09703-what-do-you-experienced-guys-think.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ator/209903-what-do-you-guys-think-about.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ng-truck-from-gordon-trucking-washington.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../210174-what-do-you-fellow-drivers-think.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ator/210013-what-do-you-guys-think-about.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...can-you-recommend-good-insurance-company.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...70-questions-about-used-apus-fridge-unit.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...erator/210600-now-lets-see-what-you-guys.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...10606-what-about-western-star-first-time.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...47-what-best-specs-truck-ratio-wheelbase.html

 

I went from an 05' Century with a Detroit 10spd 3:58 gear, to an 07' Pete 387 C15 18spd 3:25 gear 242" wb and the difference is night and day. My fuel mileage both loaded and empty jumped 1.3mpg avg 7.3. The ride is much better and the amount of room is incredible. Iam 6'2" and with my arms out I barely toch the passenger seat.

Engine like one guy said is a pro vs. con deal. Each engine is different in its own way. This is the first Cat Ive owned and its great. In my opinion a gear ratio of 3:25 -3.36 is optimal for fuel mileage without sacrificing pulling power. A 13spd is the way too go, it allows for better pulling and keeps low rpm at cruising speed.

Wheel base is a preference, imo it has little to do with fuel mileage as long as the gap between the tractor and trailer is less than 42". I prefer a little longer wb because it provides a better ride. 242" is the longest Ill go because it still allows me a good turning radius.

 

Along the same note, what's the meaning of life?

 

42...........