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Specing a Cascadia or a Volve for Fuel Mileage

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Blind Driver, Jun 30, 2015.

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  1. Jun 30, 2015 #1
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    New Albany, IN
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    Our 4 new Penske Volvos came in. There's little space inside as compared to the Cascadia. One of our drivers complained and no storage space nor armrests on the seats. So I went to get my new truck and brought it back to work to show my manager. He agreed on all counts. He had already gotten the OK to order two more trucks.

    My manager relied upon the current drivers to pick the new trucks. I didn't work there yet, but everyone wanted the Volvos and manual transmission. He's probablyly going to order Cascadias next time, but I have a lot of input at this point.

    I talked to the service manager at Penske and was told they can't order the wide bodies nor longer sleepers from Volvo. He didn't know why.

    If you were going to spec a truck aimed at comfort and fuel mileage what would you choose? I'm thinking Cascadias, DD15, and auto transmissions. Which transmission and gear ratio would be best? Currently we're running 70 mph from Louisville to California, then we return. I'm sure I can get an idle and fuel mileage program started if we slow down.

    I need to call my manager and see if Petes are an options for us.
     
    Blind Driver, Jun 30, 2015
    Blind Driver, Jun 30, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jun 30, 2015 #2
    daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Get the Mercedes/Freightliner transmission>
    It was designed for the DD engines.
     
    daf105paccar, Jun 30, 2015
    daf105paccar, Jun 30, 2015
    #2
  4. Jul 1, 2015 #3
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

    3,393
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    Jun 11, 2011
    st malo mb canada
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    Cascadia order the evolution. Volvo the XE package. Both are setup from factory for fuel mileage the work is already done for you
     
    magoo68, Jul 1, 2015
    magoo68, Jul 1, 2015
    #3
  5. Jul 1, 2015 #4
    joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

    11,340
    27,291
    Nov 8, 2009
    The Highway To Hell.
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    The Cascadia Evolution I'm driving is touching 8 mph right out of the gate. That's with the cruise set at 68 mph. Not bad at all.
     
    joseph1135, Jul 1, 2015
    joseph1135, Jul 1, 2015
    #4
    HorseShoe and magoo68 Thank this.
  7. Jul 1, 2015 #5
    PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

    14,765
    22,561
    Jul 15, 2006
    El Chuco, Tejas
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    My Volvo 780 with the XE package was averaging 8.9 mpg earlier this week.
     
    PackRatTDI, Jul 1, 2015
    PackRatTDI, Jul 1, 2015
    #5
  8. Jul 1, 2015 #6
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    Aug 7, 2006
    New Albany, IN
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    Penske specs indicate Evolution, DD15, DT12, and 3.08 gears. I told the boss the gear ratio should be 2.50s and I'd like to see what options are available. We are getting factory inverters :)
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2015
    Blind Driver, Jul 1, 2015
    Blind Driver, Jul 1, 2015
    #6
  9. Jul 1, 2015 #7
    Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

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    Indiana
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    The aerodynamics of the Freightliner are better than the Volvo. We did head to head tests with them and the Freightliner beat the Volvo. With the Freightliner you can get the Detroit package (engine transmission) that will get good fuel economy. You can also get the Cummins Smart Torque II package which uses an Eaton Ultrashift Plus Transmission. They both get around the same fuel mileage with in the percentage of error (Detroit vs Cummins). If your drivers wanted to get a manual I would suggest a 10 speed direct drive with 2.64 rear end gears. Just my experience with them.
     
    Sportster2000, Jul 1, 2015
    Sportster2000, Jul 1, 2015
    #7
    Blind Driver Thanks this.
  10. Jul 1, 2015 #8
    damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    this is coming from a drivers POV here. but why the heck would you want 2.64? penske is going to nut the heck out of that truck. it wont pull worth a ####. will be good for flat ground but useless on mts/hills. i would at least get 3.08-3.23
     
    damutt, Jul 1, 2015
    damutt, Jul 1, 2015
    #8
  11. Jul 1, 2015 #9
    ipogsd

    ipogsd Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
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    I run a 15 Evolution, DD15, DT12, 2.47 rears. Sweet spot is 65 to 68 MPH, at 1450 to 1525 RPM.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2015
    ipogsd, Jul 1, 2015
    ipogsd, Jul 1, 2015
    #9
    Blind Driver Thanks this.
  12. Jul 1, 2015 #10
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

    3,080
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    Aug 7, 2006
    New Albany, IN
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    My Penske ISX pulls just fine. Penske only lowers the power in the lower gears.
     
    Blind Driver, Jul 1, 2015
    Blind Driver, Jul 1, 2015
    #10
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