Specing Your Truck For The Best Economy

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by OONewbie, Mar 1, 2015.

  1. OONewbie

    OONewbie Light Load Member

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    Dec 2, 2014
    Charlotte,NC
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    I am purchasing a new truck and I'm looking for input on how to spec the truck properly for the best economy. The leasing company spec's them their own way, I'm curious to what is a overall good spec to run general freight or reefer , the last 2 company trucks I ran were great on flatland over 7mpg on the flats and less then 4.5mpg on hills, ... I'm hoping to avoid a bad configuration, any advice on this subject would be great.

    Here are the 2 trucks I'm looking @ ... still a few weeks away from signing on the dotted line but it's set in motion...


    2016 Freightliner Cascadia Evoltion " With Claims of up to 9.1MPG " at current spec 3.31 rear ratio


    • Detroit DD15 455HP or 505HP
    • Detroit or Eaton Automated Transmission
    • 3.31 Rear Ratio
    • 230" Wheel Base
    • Raised Roof Double Bunk
    • All Aluminum Wheel
    • Air Slide 5th Wheel



    OR ---- 2016 VOLVO VNL 780


    • Volvo D13 455HP
    • 3.42 Rear Ratio
    • 77” Sleeper
    • 125 Gallon R and L
    • Chrome Air Intake Grills
    • Gold Level Chrome Package
    • Swivel Driver & Passenger Seats

    • No Miles
    • 235" Wheelbase
    • Aluminum Wheels
    • Power Windows
    • Power Remote Door Locks
    • Refrigerator
    • Fog Lamps & Driving Lights
    • Volvo I-Shift 12 Speed (Automatic)


     
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  3. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Jackson Center Ohio
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    reason you are set on an automatic?
     
  4. GA_OD

    GA_OD Bobtail Member

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    Mar 1, 2015
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    Why are you trying to hijack the thread?
    The guy has a fuel economy question, stick to it.
     
    Lucar Thanks this.
  5. OONewbie

    OONewbie Light Load Member

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    Dec 2, 2014
    Charlotte,NC
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    It's a valid question. With a titanium rod implant and 4 screws in my clutch leg I prefer to get the most mileage out of my leg as I can as well as my truck..
     
  6. OONewbie

    OONewbie Light Load Member

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    Charlotte,NC
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    Oh and not to mention it's going to be mandatory soon enough
     
  7. GA_OD

    GA_OD Bobtail Member

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    Mar 1, 2015
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    Why mendatory?
     
  8. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Jackson Center Ohio
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    Lol wow...
    Good reason and understandable
    Says who? Ive seen no mention on mandated automatic transmission requirements
     
  9. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2010
    Houston,Texas
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    Geeze....ease up drivers.....

    Hey OP, one more place to look for mpg's.....if your truly serious then check out MVT's specs. He runs Prostars, super singles and a tag axle ( might be pusher ) with about every wing and cover you can buy.

    His interstate fleet avg. mpg is 9.3 and many units do better. He is the mpg leader. Slush box is going to cost you a lil mpg tho.

    And I would buy on the warranty alone. Freightliner is busy all the time and Volvo is not. Who has the best warranty?

    Good luck
     
    OONewbie Thanks this.
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Have you ever considered finding a dealer who can walk you through the process with knowledge of knowing what you're hauling??
     
  11. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
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    How often are you in mountains? A truck spec'ed for max fuel economy is typically going to be a dog in the mountains do to gearing. If you only run the Rockies, then fuel mileage to the point most think about it is thrown out the window. I worked for a company out of PA that only ran the northeast. Their idea of fuel mileage with all of the hills and traffic is far different than an OTR company or, say a Midwest regional company. If you only go through the mountains 10% of the time, it wouldn't make sense to spec your truck to do better 10% of the time and not get max efficiency 90% of the time.
    The lone mountain trucks are spec'ed OK, and the Evolution is probably going to beat the 780 for mpg by a little bit. However, like I said, these might not be the best specs for YOU. I would definitely talk to a dealer or two and have them spec a truck for your information. Who knows maybe they'll give you a better deal than LM.
     
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