Does owning a "tricked out truck" land you better gigs?

Funny you should say that.... one of my good friends here still running OTR traded his "wind pusher pete" in on a nice 387 aerodynamic model.

He was averaging 6.0 to 6.5 in the 379...

Now hes getting around 5 in the 387. Maybe just the truck... but hes not really happy about it and the fuel is eating him alive.

 

Youch. I feel for him. Maybe it needs to be broken in yet? Personally, I think the 387 isn't as aerodynamic as some other models, like a Freightliner Columbia or a Volvo or a KW T660 or a Pete 386. Look at the large grille surface on the 387...a big flat surface and a wide overall profile. (just my opinion).

Man, did he go to a different engine, or a bigger engine or a different gear ratio? Lots of factors there to be sure. Maybe he got a new EPA kitty cat?

 

The drop in mpg is most likely due to the 2007 emission engine. The fed's need to pull their heads out. Sure your geting cleaner air, but your using alot more fuel to do so. Then again who whould expect the goverment to make sence!!!

 

I think that the "DOT" will figure this pretty boy has to much cash on his hands and stop him to relieve him of some. This of course, will put a damper on any addtional prettying. Sorry, I'm a operations manager and I rather have my load delivered on time or before time rather then being delivered by Peterbuilt "Bentley" LOL

 

So which is it? You first said a "tricked out truck" and now you are just saying a "sharp,clean" truck. There is a huge difference and it seems you can't make up your mind.

 

I beg to differ with you but if that was the case then company's would trick-out all there trucks just for the "extra pay off " as you put it.

The extra pay-off in this industry is reliablity,on time for pick-ups and deliveries,and that is a company that maintains there trucks to keep them running,not waste money on the stuff that has no value of return.JMO

 

I won't argue with you on what you saying about "clean trucks" but in my 13 years in this industry I have never heard of a company requesting for a tricked out truck.

Maybe some kind of publicity stunt but not for the use of moving freight.