Okay, so I got a new gig. Quit TMC and am now running an Owner Ops truck. It's a beautiful baby. I believe it's a 2WS Cat 550, but turned to 625 and then added a PDI turbo. She runs on 24.5's, straights, 18 speed, and a 300" stretch pulling a step. Nice little flat top 379. What I'm looking for is fuel saving advice, as we all know pay depends a lot on fuel and driving habits. I've never been a pedal pounder, and I've only ran twin turbo C-15's, and the new ISX's. So my main thing is how can I treat this baby the best and get some decent mileage out of her? I know it's a thirsty Cat, so I am not expecting much better than 5.5-6 on good weeks. Thanks in advance!
Need some advice
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Battle Born, Feb 25, 2015.
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I bought a scan guage for $220 that I have found very useful so far. Lots of info, and MPG tracking.
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I second the scan gauge idea. The first fifty miles after plugging mine in was an eye opener. The instant mpg readout is worth the money by itself.
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running a o/o truck like that his cost per mile should be high,just make sure part of that expense is not coming out of your pocket in some way. dont forget to factor in health insurance which you are going to pay,plus the benefit package you will be losing. if you are payed percent of the load make sure you see the bills he is paid off. and dont fall for oh my wife does all of that. lots of luck
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Watch your boost gauge, the more boost you use, the more fuel you use. Sadly, this is what we love about CAT motors, so it is difficult to stay out of the boost. Wait to accelerate going downhill when possible, granny it going uphill. Set cruise as slow as is practical. Especially if you have a non-aerodynamic load on, you can lose more than 0.1 mpg for every mph over 64. 64 is a good speed for fuel economy IMO, any slower you become a nuisance and a danger. I often roll 70 myself, but it does cost me some mileage.
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I suppose I should have been a little more specific. I'm in the national guard so I have that insurance, I do my own retirement stuff, have for a couple years, and I'm pretty covered in that aspect. Literally his first words were "you're my only employee, and as of now I can't offer health benefits, but that can change as we get more into it." I will be driving an owner operators truck, I will be his employee, not an owner operator. I will see all of the income to the truck, because I will be running it like it is my own. I work the load boards and pick where, when, and how I want to run. He definitely doesn't need me to work for him, he's quite comfortable in how he lives and such, I'm more so driving his pride and joy because he wants to see it out on the road. He's got his own full time job, and does some local work himself. I just am learning the owner op side through him. Kind of the perfect scenario. I make a percentage of what the truck makes, and 100% of any tarping fees.
Obviously fuel will put a dent into the revenue, so that's why I'm asking for fuel help. I've read a few guys using scan gauges, and I need to look more into it. Is it anything like the Cat readout that the newer ones have? Shows boost, mpgs, and some other crap, or is it more of an independent type?MJ1657 Thanks this. -
Danny, I figured about 65, so that will be nice. Being at 62 for the past four years, it'll be quite hard to fight the urge to do 70, but hey, gotta make money.
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Progressive shift and keep it under 65 when you can... Load selection can play big ad well... Lighter weights, can't always get aerodynamic loads but try to be a little picky
Battle Born Thanks this.
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