I Have 65,000 for a otr Truck

Obviously this guy has shelled out $$$ for all kinds of trucks.

I still say it doesn't make an ounce of difference what kind of truck/engine you have, as long as you have half a brain and know what you're doing.

I have had Detroit, Cummins, and Cat. They all have made it from point A to point B just fine!

 

And I was joking of course before when I said to buy 2 trucks, looks like someone may not have got the bad joke.....

But to answer the original question...I would find a truck in the 30-40 range and pocket the rest. I just bought a truck for $25K and wouldn't think twice taking it anywhere.

 

It would probably do ok if switched to low-pros, but that 3.36 ratio is steep for 11R22.5 tires IMO. Our new truck has a 465 DD14 with 3.70 rears and 11R22.5 and after driving that I would pass on anything with a higher ratio and tall tires. Otherwise it's a nice one, and would do good if you had no grades along your route.

 

So I am thinking right on the ratios/HP/tall rubber.

I am getting ready to replace my tires and was thinking about going tall from LP but get different opinions on how it would do with my 465/3.55/13-spd. Like the idea of lowering RPMS at speed but if I am going to have to be shifting more on grades I would more than loose any fuel saving advantage of the lower RPMs.

 

Seems like that would depend on the area you spend the most of your time. But it seems like going to a tall tire, may reduce cruiseing rpm, but the rolling resistance would cancel out any advantages.

 

First, not a big one on all that rolling resistance data. Controlled government test are not the real world. And Goodyear admitted they engineered some of there low RR tires to perform well based on test conditions.

But despite that, the numbers on and LP vs a Tall for same tire are the same. But it takes more to get the tire rolling and that could be a difference.

I am decided I will stay with the LP. Only issue I have now is my currect low RR tires are crap for traction. Kinda like to stay on the road in the snow and ice this winter.

 

I'd guess that with the 13 spd you would achieve what you expect on low rpm and not lose much, if any mpg. What would be a pain would be splitting down anywhere with a speed limit <70mph, forcing a downshift on a slight grade. That was my impression when I test drove the 387 with a 13 sp, 3.30-something rears, and low-pros.

Our truck with the 11r22.5's has a 10 sp. It's not a happy truck at 55 mph (basically where the 9-10 upshift is). As for higher speed, it runs about the same rpm in top gear as the other truck with a 13 sp, 3.55 rears, and low-pros. At 55 in the old truck splitting down puts it right back in a good rpm range. I suspect the lower mpg on the newer one is due to the 10 sp and the dealer supplied lugged recaps on the drives, and not so much tall versus low-pro tires.

I'm a believer in the RR numbers, but only as a rough guideline. Yeah, it probably takes less fuel to roll a straight rib tread versus lugs. But I don't think you can honestly measure the difference between a 100 and a 120 RR tire in real world conditions.

 

I made a lot of money with a 290 Cummins but I kept the door closed. Got good fuel mileage and always caught up with the fast trucks when they stopped for fuel.

 

Does all your experience come from the Drivers Section at the Petro Restaurant listening to the Super Truckers? It sure seems like it some times.

 

Ah, it would be nice to be 22 again! I did love highballin' company trucks! Especially with 2-stroke Detroits in them, brother, screamin', noisy, shifting my arm off! Cummins' were for the OLD GUYS! Nothing like the shock of lugging a 318 in a sand pit with a 20 yard bellydump on and all of a sudden going backward LOL!! Exhaust pouring out of the air cleaners! Man, I can't tell you how much fun the entire crew had at my expense!!! The loader op literally fell out of his seat that son-of-a-gun.. I seem to remember that at the beginning I always thought I was the smartest guy in line back then, too. You learn fast under the gun... Somehow, I seem to have just gotten more stupid as the years have gone by! Hey, AT! Live it up, kid! You're only young once, LOL!