Double Yellow's Company Driver to Independent Thread

And that's the difference. A lot of difference when you're running a business, and the bottom line means what you bring home.

 

Absolutely!! Difficulty is all the variables. Even weather--such as headwind as Bright One points out. As well as terrain. If terrain is mild, I think most any cruise beats most any foot. Engine up, engine down, uses/wastes fuel. The one thing we know for sure is that the more you stay out of the throttle, the more $$ saved because rigs burn a gallon off every few miles. 7-8 mpg is really, really good these days. We are learning that maintenance, technology, transmissions, engines, gearing, CAC, foils and fairings, skirts, low resistance tires, tails, lighter aluminum components--all make a diff in combination with how driver starts, accelerates and stops, even aggressiveness around TSs can hurt MPG. Driver skill matters and Bright One is a skilled driver.

While smart O/O, L/O is not the one blowing by you like a 75 mph gust of wind--cheaper fuel at some point affects the benefit/trouble ratio. Increased driver fatigue can steal what you thought you were gaining very quickly. Increasing driver fatigue/stress to save small mpg can backfire, too.

Again, Bright One is VERY motivated. He may make some things work that might not work for someone else...

 

On flat ground, you're correct. Once you learn how to use the throttle in the hills, you can beat cruise control. Of course, you'd actually have to take the time to learn how to do it.

 

What does he know?

Not even close. Lots of computers are set to put out more HP on cruise than on the pedal.

Lots do that with the cruise on.

 

On the way to KY this morning with 38K and rain, rain, rain, no cruise--only free-footing. Seemed I was either too fast (67, not supposed to be over 64-65) or too slow (55 mph). Relieved when the road dried out enough to run 61 on cruise as the load pushed me on the downhill and I'd get distracted on the uphill and slo-o-o-ow do-o-o-wn.

Still raining on the way back, decided to play with it. Just enough pressure on the pedal like you'd put your hand lightly on a friend's shoulder to let him/her know you're there. Very light. Then let the truck choose the torque (rpm and speed) it wanted on the varying hills on the way back. Surprised me how easy it was--of course, empty.

Not much traffic so didn't feel like I was in anyone's way.

Took most hills at least 52-53, at top torque of 1200 rpm. Yes, sometimes dropped to 1000 and 45 mph on tall crests. Downhill it pulled up to 60-61 (1400 rpm) and 55 mph on the flat and level. So it was interesting. GPS said average speed was 51.9. Not at all unpleasant, especially with the rain.

Not sure what to make of it. Our newer Macks with automatics are pretty easy to free-foot. This was a 2009 International that wouldn't start this morning (until road service showed up, then it started so could not troubleshoot) and had a warning light most all the way back. Probably a phantom. Sounded fine.

Oh, who knows.

Letting the truck pick its speed/rpm was like driving on a pat of butter...

 

If I may ask a question? Do you guys ever consider the fact that some us that do run the cruise all the time how another big truck that always speeding up and slowing down might be a little agrivating for us. And I'm not talking in the hills. That's different. But if you slow down without realising and another truck goes to pass you then you speed back up to where you want to be, then you leave guys like me without much of a choice, leaving me out in the hammer lane blocking all the other traffic. So I slow down to get back in the slow lane then you slow down again. So I either try to pass you again by speeding up(if I am not against the limiter) then you ride my back bumper, or I slow down so I don't block traffic then ride your bumper. So if your going to run on the peddle, try to be courteous to others please. I'm sure this will fire up a lot of you. But I had to say it, so fire away. Rob out

 

I forgot to add. Double Yellow, thank you very much for all of the info that you share.

 

monkey, those are steering wheel holders

 

Still the problem exists.

 

For what it's worth, you don't know if that other driver is stuck in a company truck limited to 60 mph, maybe DPF plugged up solid with check engine lights lit up all day, maybe loaded heavy. Might just be the best driver in the world stuck in a crappy truck. Oddly, there's many solutions that don't even involve the other driver.

Find a nice fuel island to take your 30 min break. Even a 5 min pit stop in a rest area gets it done. He'll be long gone when you get back out on the road. Or, speed up for about 15 mins and create some distance. Your truck limited? Get your own and set it where you like. Even better, drive at night. Most of those bad drivers are also solar powered. They'll be the ones stacked 5 deep in the rest area when you're out there enjoying your cruise control, unimpeded.

I prefer to drive my own truck and not worry too much about how everyone else drives theirs. Start solving problems instead of just pointing them out and you'll lower your stress level tremendously.

Edited to add: Didn't realize how harsh that sounded. Not my intent. This comes from my recent time spent in a couple of rental trucks. Gave me a whole new level of calm regarding the poor souls stuck in emissions choked, big company spec'd, turds of a truck.