Magnum ltd - fargo, nd

I look at my time allotted to deliver and the load on the deck when considering my cruise speed these days...and of course the fact that I drive a greedy Cummins.

There are times I still drive at 63-65 mph instead of 70 mph, but since I don’t have an APU and it’s hot, idling is killing my mpg’s more than anything else.

More important than cruising speed is the ability to finally just drive pass someone open space and then slow back down...so nice...

 

The turn can be problematic. But you know the deal pulling reefer. We sit.

 

I have noticed a major decrease in MPG's since moving to open deck hauling. Even an empty double drop doesn't get anywhere close to what I was getting over there at Magnum, the only time I see an increase in fuel mileage is the rare occasion I pull a rolling rack load in a van, and then only when empty. It's the nature of the beast...right now, as hot as it's been, 5.5 seems to be about my average. Even when my truck was cut back to 65 for Canada, it wasn't much better because our trucks are geared for 70, and running 65 put it out of the peak torque range, so it was down shifting sooner on grades.

 

Fuel mileage is better at 68 than 65 on the newer engines may have something
to do with that ... Trucking companies generally don't do anything with drivers in mind ...
its all economics and pennies per mile

 

That’s what I was thinking as well.

 

Don’t discount driver retention, it’s a very competitive market right now and giving up a little bit (most fleets are switching over to automated trucks) to keep a driver happy does help the bottom line.

 

Just watched a video of our new Anthems......I hope they don't force one on me any time soon...Leather seats, in a black truck....new kind of forward facing camera in the windshield, backup alarm...oh, and a hood release located at the bottom of the grill instead of inside like a Volvo, like that won't get frozen in the winter storms. The only thing I saw that I liked was a TK apu...makes me wish they would buy Petes....

 

Yeah definitely not my favorite truck based on the looks... I love the 567 Heritage, unfortunately they did put the factory backup alarm on it...that bites!

 

My company is updating our fleet of 300 with 579 Petes. By far the nicest truck I’ve ever driven and I really hope these things work out well. I’ve thoroughly investigated how to covertly disable the backup alarm and there really isn’t a way. It’s all intertwined with the taillights, reverse lights and running lights. Unhook the speaker and you lose all taillight functions on the tractor.

I’ve got a regular run and park at the same places the three nights a week I’m out for my break. All pull through slots, really only back up at the yard when I’m parking for the week. Last night I had to do a tricky back into a spot at a Loves at 0300. Man that must have annoyed a few people. Hate being “that guy.”

The mattress in these 579’s is 84 x 42 inches. Biggest bed I’ve ever had in any truck. Very nice!

 

I liked the ride and the look of the 579's at Magnum, just didn't have enough storage for a long term OTR guy like me. I am interested in seeing how the new Ultraloft units work out. Pete designers seem to have listened to the complaints of the drivers.

I wonder if there is a way to muffle the backup alarm w/o disabling it...like saran wrap over a foam pad...or lots of duct tape.