Speed Governors

I been driving a 65 truck for the last 5 years. I’m never late. All about keeping that door closed and maintaining momentum. Still a PITA to pass people tho. I usually wait to see where I got the advantage if I build speed faster on the downhills then him I’ll wait for a good downhill to initiate a pass.

 

If the governed truck has "Pass Smart" its not a problem. Ours are 65 on the cruise, but if you tap the accelerator down to the floor three times and hold it the third time, the truck will enter "Pass Smart" and accelerate to 68 mph. This allows for quick, safe passing.

As for the downside of fuel economy, you aren't paying for it so you won't see the reasoning. If I have two trucks, one unlimited at 6.5 mpg and the other limited to 65 with Pass Smart on it getting 8.5 mpg... both go 140,000 miles in a year... at the current $6/gallon, the first truck cost me $129,200 in fuel while the second cost me $98,800 in fuel. $30,400/year in savings can pay for a lot of benefits, upgrades to nicer trucks/driver facilities, pay raises, etc.

Now multiply the $30,400 by however many trucks are in the company, and the savings is substantial.

 

It is a much easier drive. Worlds easier if it’s a largecar. You stated the truck is ungoverned. Is it a largecar? If it is, do this:

1. Use the cruise control. You don’t want to be one of those guys that unconsciously speeds up as some other driver is struggling to pass. Let em pass. No biggie.
2. Be patient. If you run up on a pair of governed trucks struggling to pass, be patient. Don’t tailgate.
3. Be courteous, share the road. Some slow truck, goes left to let you onto the highway, let him back over. He was courteous (he didn’t have to move) and so, extend courtesy back to him.

Luck in battle.

 

I do appreciate ya, hand.

 

I had a truck that went 73mph and it was the most stress free driving I've ever had. Felt like i was cheating. No longer did I have to worry about pissing people trying to pass someone. No longer did I feel compelled to stay in the right most lane. No longer was I forced to drive in a slow pack of trucks. No longer did I have to calculate the best time to pass a single truck. It took all the work out of driving. The only trucks who passed me were O/O's and bull trucks. I could count on my hand the amount that passed me in a shift. I'm local now and paid hourly so my speed doesn't matter, but I don't think I'd ever consider doing OTR again unless I had a truck that could go 70.