New truck... but what truck?

The going out wont make you your fuel mileage but the return empty will.. IF you spec the truck correctly. And it looks like 1/2 your miles are mty. I would look into the specs a little harder before making the plunge. You won't make any MPG's up as far as the loaded leg but with 1/2 being mty THATS where you will make it up in spades, and saved fuel is cash directly in your jeans. I would look to any aero improvements, closing the gap between truck and trailer, proper gearing and slowing down. If you can get 4.5 going out and 7.5 or 8 coming back you would have a great average. There are lots that don't like the looks of an aero truck (count me in that pack) but if spec is proper and driven properly they do get better mileage.

 

I would agree with you on that. You will see a significant change in your MPGs between running loaded and unloaded especially running vans if you can get the first trailer up close to the end of your sleeper. Your trucks is breaking most of the wind and you will notice a difference while unloaded. Last night I did a 450km rounder half on the number 2 and half on smaller highways. The cruise was set to 107 on the number 2 and between 100-102 on the smaller highways. Going up empty the on board computer that shows the real time fuel usage (not the average, and I know it wont be accurate) was ranging in the 9MPG range. (I also run with lift axels on my B train so have three fewer points of contact when unloaded) Coming back loaded it was in the 4.5 range while at speed and down around 2.5-3 when trying to pull up a hill. I gross around 63MT and run empty around 19MT. On average the trucks have been getting around 5.5 MPG for the first month. I know from talking with another owner who used to run my routes 5 + years ago he was getting less than 5MPG in T800s. My trailers are also more aerodynamic than his were.

I run Mack Pinnacles (aero hood but no side fairings over the fuel tanks) at 505 with 3.56 rears as a comparison to what you are specking.
In my opinion yes the long hoods do look nice but they are not a smart business decision when you are the one paying for the fuel. Fuel is only going to be going up in price so unless you have a fuel surchage that will cover 100% of the increase do everything you can to cut down on that cost, even if it doesnt seem like much. My fuel for the last week was about $1.05/litre, so for every 10,000 miles I drive if all I get is a 0.1MPG savings it is $130, but when it starts its creap up to $1.50 which it will over time you will save $185.but I would like that in my pocket at the end of the year rather than the fuel companies.

 

To ME, the way the nUmbers crunch out is, 1 mpg more to my average over 1 year is $12000 in my pocket. That's the month of August home by the lake or the month of January in Florida Riding my bike, or 1/2 my payment every month. I like new stuff and new technology so I went with the new 780. Found the specs and options I wanted at a price I can live with. Bought the warraties I wanted. I'll let you know how it works out!!

 

Both of those seem steep. My truck is 455 Eco torque 1550-1750 torque. I shift with 3:42 rears. If your interested in a corn binder there is an 07 9400 with a 475 up 1850 torque, 13 sp 373 rears at the international dealer in st Catherine's ont. 1 owner full service lease all service records with it only 640kms on it. I almost went for it but I just decided on new. They were down to 43k for it.

http://www.archertruckcentres.com/2007-double-bunk-sleeper/

Pricesare better the farther east you go , at least that's what I found.

 

I definitely would not buy an 08 to 11 truck with just DPF in it. They seem to be a lot of problems, and def not a cat after 07. And the last good cats, while good motors longevity wise, are a lot harder on fuel than the ISX AND DETROITS of the same years, unless you are ready to spend $ and time to make them better. I was going to buy the 07 corn binder in Ontario and immediately take it to diesel spec and have the egr removed and a new program installed but decided to go new. I don't want to spend my time in the yard wrenching on a truck I have several 2 wheeled projects on the lift i would rather spend my time on restoring , So a new truck with proper warranties, and trade every 3 1/2 to 4 years is my plan. I will always have a payment but also know exactly whT my expenses are with no MAJOR surprises. I have a friend with 3 Volvo's that has been preaching this to me for years. I'll let you know how it works for me...... Lol.

 

Seems to be. I had an 11 Crapcadia, and it was a nightmare, always in service, it wwas a DPF truck. The urea trucks seem to be better on fuel by a big margin, and more reliable. Tho I dont want to own one of the new trucks without warranty. I had an 05 classic before the cascadia, it was paid for so to have a high maintenance bill was ok, (tho a pain in the #####) but after getting out from under the cascadia I had a small payment on the 07 Peterbilt, that with repairs and maintenane was more than a new truck. My advice would be if you absolutely can't pay cash for a used truck, and afford to pay payment kind of dough each month for repairs, I would be careful. One month you do some tires, then have a turbo and injectors, or a trans, or rear end, or what ever, and bam your down 10k my accountant showed me, even with all the down time from the Crapcadia, I brought more home at then end of the year than with either of the used trucks I bought.