9+ MPG Class 8 5 Axel Trucks with Trailers

That is true, I can see the death of old school classic type trucks in the US simply because of aerodynamics , I was reading US volvos with idrive gearboxes are now getting over 8 mpg, they are catching up fast but it's out of necessity I think just like what happened here, just think Scanias new fuel system was designed in collaboration with cummins and the new actros that promises 12 mpg ( so they say) I believe is a Detroit deisel engine so they have the technology there now it's just the will to put these technologies on the Market I guess!

Look what dice did here, look at the mpg's he's achieving by taking a different attitude towards it, when manufacturers incorporate these modifications into their designs the US will be right up there with us as regards fuel economy.

 

The right carrier can negotiate some pretty good fuel pricing, and that right carrier will pass the savings thru. I just fueled at the TA in Lake Station today. Got .38 a gallon off the cash pump price. And at the same time got .49 a mile fuel surcharge and NO fuel card charge fee. And to boot, I don't have to deal with the IFTA. Carrier handles IFTA for me with no expense and no extra tax coming off my settlements. They also provide a section on their website that shows the current pump cash pricing and the current discount for just about every major fuel stop in the nation, updated every 2 hrs. All I have to do is check and find the cheapest fuel along my run.

So, the right situation can still mean profitability with fuel prices going up.

 

I think one should focus on the things that really make a big difference.

Only use Aerodynamic trucks with spoilers and side fairings
No excessive gap allowed between spoiler/side fairings and trailer
No twin screw drives, only single drive with tag axle that can be lifted
Super single drive tires and wide singles on the tag axle
Single wheels on the trailers and axle lifts
Govern max speed of 50 MPH

 

Overall, I would agree with most of that. The single drive/tag/pusher thing is good for most people. It all depends on the territory you have to run your truck in. For me, I have a definite need for not only a twin screw, but also lockers in BOTH drive axles. I get in and out of some interesting places. But, as a side note, I spec'd aluminum housing drive axles in the truck I just ordered to keep weight down a little and keep heat down. For most of the general freight crowd, going to a single screw with tag or pusher is a good idea. Not only is there a fuel savings, but going that route also saves at least 500 lb and is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying that second drive axle and power divider. Not sure why it hasn't caught on more here in the US. A single screw, with aluminum housing and aluminum tag or pusher, along with wide based wheels would save the average truck 1000 lb and probably at least $5000 on the cost.

Not sure where you came up with the 50 mph thing. That isn't living in the real world. And truth be told, just establishing a governed speed is worthless if the engine, tranny, rear ratios are not matched perfectly for that speed. That is where a lot of people fall on there face. They don't take the time to understand the best operating range of a particular engine and match up the other components to run the engine in its best range for the speed they are going. The dealers sure have no real clue about it from what I have seen on the lots when I looked at new trucks.

 

Scania Man, you are right about current situation in Europe. Just remeber how Rico worked, they even had tires made by Michelin for them, also, they reworked old Schmitz and Krone trailers by themselves, and then they registered them with "Rico" as manufacter.

The only problem, the whole I've got more MPG game is leading to nowhere.

Europe is different thing, we (Polish guys) ruin market, because we can drive in Western Europe, and live in Eastern one at the same time.

USA is different, they work and live in the same country, same fuel prices, there's no real "cheap labour". I mean, sure you guys will say that there is. But you don't know situation in Europe, it's just terrible. I have spoken with Art about how much he earns as O/O and I was completly shocked. Even with that high price fuel, he can earn in one WEEK, as much as the Polish driver does in 3-4 months. Not mentioning even cheaper drivers.

And trust me, there is really no point of those super-duper efficient trucks. That is what ruined situation in Europe - they were chasing that efficiency, and somehow forgot that diesel was made to drink that fuel - engine which is designed from the very beginning to drink a lot of fuel, will last for ages. Those great Euro ones, drink less, but they hardly reach 600k kilometers before major overhaul. Not mentioing what happens when Yankes show them, what hammer down means.

Ask ANY engineer how they do engine. They start from thinking if it should be reliable or efficient - there's no way to have those two at the same time.

To be honest, all that brick shaped fuel drinking, old trucks will just start shinning right now. You are trying to get more and more MPG by driving them like girls. And engine need RPM, it needs fuel. Keep doing that, and you will soon need overhaul. Just think how great drop in reliability we are having - and that's because you wanted super low fuel consumption.

If you want situation to get worse believe what those Euro guys tell you, they tried to be so efficient, they got kicked out, since they were not efficient enough.

Just believe God and don't drive for #### money, you'll be all right.

 

dont forget we have more weight 10%

dont forget about bad roads in lot parts of europe

and dont forget about crowded roads when you stuck in traffic jam it can last for hours this affect fuel economy too much

here we have strong winds which than cause lot of problems to trucks road speed is sometimes limited to 25mph at highways or roads are completly closed , you can often see trucks roll overed road side

wind can exceed 130mph easy

 

about engines efficiency vs. durability you forget one thing

emission.....that complicate things.... a lot

as for engine durability here drivers mainly drive as fastest as they can and every driver will go uphill with 1500-1600rpm on our bad roads fully loaded truck can have about 38L fuel economy with such driver off highway on mountain region....

engines last about 1million (man mercedes) volvo scania about 1,2mil

 

I can clearly see that in my mates MP3, when he needs new injectors after just 130.000 kilometers. Russian fuel ...
Scania also shines, they won't give you warranty AT ALL, if you drive to Russia. Matter of fact they still mount old E3 engines for them.
Volvo (or Vulva) is great, specially leaking doors and electricy build by chinese boys and girls, very reliable.
Daf, don't even mention that name, suspensions needs rebuilding after 4 months (cab), engine will hardly last 600-700 k kilometers.
Seems like Iveco is now the most reliable truck, but that's just because, they didn't not change anything, yet.

I can continue if you wan't they all suck in my opinion.