Fuel Mileage

ANY brand of truck can attain good fuel economy.............

its the engine, transmission, rear axle ratio, the weights you carry, and probably most of all, how much pressure is applied to the throttle by the right foot, and then of course, how much that engine is idling........

so in all reality, it ain't the brand of truck, its everything else..........

 

Aero body styles are known to be more fuel efficient. That's why they make them. Your big classic trucks with all kinds of accessories, air cleaners, etc. hanging off are going to cause more drag, which will reduce mpg.

There's so much that goes into fuel economy, that there's no real answer to your first question. For your second, yes, an aero body like a Kenworth T2000 or Volvo VN will have a better chance of being fuel efficient.

I have a 2000 Volvo VN Series, and I get 6-8-7.2 mpg. I drive @ 65mph with the cruise on, and try to keep my rpms below 1500 when shifting. I have also switched to Amsoil full sythetic oil throughout the truck, added a fuel efficient muffler, and switched to Michelin's X-Ones on the drives (XZA3's on steers).

This is in the hilly territory of Georgia/Alabama/Tennessee with average of 3 stops per route, and lots of city driving. If my routes keep me rolling on the interstate, I'm sure my mpg's would improve. I've seen 7.4 mpg on my longer trips.

 

I drove a '98 Volvo 610 for awhile that had the 425 Volvo with 13 speed. It averaged 6.4 MPG over a year. Just sayin'.

 

My little brother is getting 7 mpg in his new Cascadia...Although i'm not a fan of freightliner thats not bad.

 

Anything is capable of bad and good fuel economy. We have an aero truck and when we bought it we got 4-5mpg
Much research, many changes and a couple thousand in shop bills and we see 6.5 almost regularly now.

 

Don't get a MBN cat.... they suck more than just fuel too!!!! trust me, i know first hand LOL

I have been hearing the T660's with the ISX, 3.55's and 13spd are avg 7mpg with basic van freight.

Volvo has come out with a new Ecotruck, the 610 or some crap. They say that the truck with the D11 and a 12spd auto is getting 8mpg pulling 45k lb loads????

 

Yep, the operation, the terrain, and the driver make the biggest difference. I have an 2006 International 9400i with an ISX that gets me in the 7+ mpg ballpark most of the time. Most trucks can get near there as well if tweaked and driven right. And you don't necessarily have to drive like grandpa either. I have consistently gotten from high 6's to low 7's since the mid 90's with aero style tractors. A big nose will cost you more.

 

I have a KW W900L and get 6.5 to 7.5 average dpending on weight and other variables.

If you don't know how to drive it right...Your results may vary.