Long term benefits of hauling “light” loads

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by dztruck, Jun 4, 2020.

  1. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    What are the benefits, long term and short term for a single O/O who hauls mainly loads under 20k lbs 90% of the time. Any one have several trucks where each one ran different weights over a long period. What were your immediate impressions and long term results? Is it really better financially to haul the lighter stuff for cheaper and get the benefit of better mpg etc. or 40k+ all the time.
     
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  3. InTooDeep

    InTooDeep Donner party survivor

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    It saves fuel brakes etc. I mostly have less than 22k in the box and my maintenance costs are way down from when hauling heavy. but brakes tires and fuel are the biggest
     
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  4. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    No cheap.
    One thing I was always told by my uncle and his guys back when they were around running the family trucks was that a truck doesn’t really notice much of a fuel or wear and tear difference from empty up to 40,000 to make running any thing cheaper worth your time. The mpg’s is too close to the same. You will be making less in the long run. But at 40,000 and above it drops enough to need to haul at a higher rate.
    Keep in mind this was back in the mechanical engine days of 5 mpg with $1.30 and less fuel.
     
  5. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    I use to run dry van Canada and USA, 80,000 lbs and less. My maintenance costs over five years averaged $650 a month.
    Now I pull super B trains, 140,000 lbs. My maintenance cost for last five years is $1,100 per month.
    That's repairs, maintenance, tires etc. For the truck only. Trailers are about the same as there are a lot of tires and brakes back there.
     
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  6. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Tires has always been the biggest expense. The old tube types would only last 6 months. They were $100 or so each back then. I know the good drivers were going 500,000-750,000 miles on brakes and 10 years on clutches. WITHOUT JAkES! Just using their gears. And they all ran HEAVY!
     
  7. Johny41

    Johny41 Road Train Member

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    I sold last truck Volvo 780/2008,D13 with 1.833.000 miles no inframe, original transmission Eaton 13, original rear ends puling moderate loads flat roads Ontario,Canada to Laredo tx . The buyers still runs it, over 2.1 mil now. Volvo recommends the oil change intervals according with the fuel economy, light loads higher mpg, longer oil intervals. I puled 20-30 loads west coast, California,BC and i used to have more issues with DPF filter, clogged egr cooler pulling over the mountains. From my experience the emission system maintenance goes up with weight, lower mpg more soot, on top of what was mentioned above tires, brakes,.. .
     
  8. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    I did dump trailer and equipment for my uncle for years, grossing 100k and up. Every Saturday there was always something to do even though the truck would only run 800 miles a week, tire rotations/changes Brakes every few months etc. pulling my own fridge now and I usually have 20-30k In the box and all I really have to do is grease every other week. From what I’ve seen lighter stuff with 2-3 stops pays better then 44k straight pick and drop not worse, but most people just want to run The most amount of miles a day with one pick and one drop
     
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  9. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    If you want to haul light loads all the time get a 2 axle tractor, get rid of 4 tires and a power divider. Tag for 66k, 2290 cost less, better fuel mileage.
     
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  10. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    Nice. i’ve also gotten much better mpg doing light for the past month. I usually get around 6.2 mpg hauling 70% heavy and 30% light. Now i’m getting close to 8 mpg hauling light and making good time. Can’t believe i didn’t think of brakes and tires as another factor. ‍♂️
     
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  11. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    I do prefer light as i assume everyone does. But what if that market dries up and i’m left only able to scale 66k. I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not able to haul it.
     
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