Choosing the right truck.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by jrboyce83, Jan 12, 2013.

  1. jrboyce83

    jrboyce83 Bobtail Member

    40
    9
    Nov 14, 2012
    0
    So I am officially going to make the leap from company to owner operator. I have found a solid company to lease on with thats doing 75/100 and no trailer usage fees or any small print crap. I can run my own plates (which I wanted to do anyways bc if later on down the road i make the transition to running my own authority then Ill be ready to roll). Ive seen ALOT of talk on here about choosing the right truck, but i figured Id post my question on here as well.

    1. I will be hauling 53' reefer trailers (running the full spectrum of weights, but no over gross stuff)
    2. I am a team operation
    3. Fual mileage is important to me, but not necessarily at the top of the list.

    So, here are the trucks im considering. On the high fuel mileage side, people cant seem to say enough about the volvo with the ishift, but i really dont want to drive an automatic, I had a bad experience with the ultrashift several years ago and dont want a repeat of that. Would I be defeating the purpose of driving a volvo by getting one with a 13 speed? Ive seen alot of the hype about the t700 and t680 and was wondering if there was any feedback on those models (the paccar engine seems to be getting mixed reviews) The truck at the top of my list currently is a T660 with the studio sleeper on it (with some mild mods to support a full size rv fridge and a microwave.

    Some things I know i cant have.
    1. It cant be over 244" (bc of canada's length restrictions)
    2. I dont really want to touch anything older than an 09' (the 07-08 year trucks i have driven are just junk)

    Also, is there a website to see what kind of fuel mileage different truck/engine/transmission combinations are getting. Im pretty sure the dealerships are ############ me, they are reporting over 7+ mpg on the W9 and 389 (which are great looking trucks, but ive never seen a non-modified one getting that good of fuel mileage.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

    1,112
    632
    Mar 1, 2009
    At The Key Board
    0
    Better do your home work again, it's 2013 and the rules changed.
     
  4. Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

    3,167
    2,358
    Apr 28, 2012
    The Hot Rod Shop Oxford, AL
    0
    How so? Got links to that info?
     
    DrtyDiesel Thanks this.
  5. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

    5,348
    2,598
    Feb 14, 2010
    Jacksonville, FL
    0
    All in how you drive it. Buddy of mine has a 2002 379exhd with a 550 cat getting 6.7mpg average. He says he drives like a grandma. He pulls reefer and has the 70" bunk. If you add a fairing to the top of the sleeper and move the fifth wheel forward a little I'm sure you could pass the 7mpg range. Just drive like a grandpa.
     
  6. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

    4,528
    17,698
    Jul 12, 2009
    kittanning, PA
    0
    I would like to have a chat with him...

    I drive an 06 379 with an acert 550 cat and it gets about 5.0 mpg with me driving very light footed...
    on that same note, I do idle every night because I have no other source or heat or comfort...
     
    DrtyDiesel Thanks this.
  7. muledriver

    muledriver Light Load Member

    270
    128
    Aug 8, 2012
    0
    Areodynamics are the biggest.factor effecting fuel mileage I am a pilot when I have the money to go flying we have to know that stuff if your not doing heavy haul pick the most aerodynamic truck that you will be comfertable driveing I personaly love thirteen speeds they are my favorite transmission I like kenworths as well but I would probably look into paying for the cummins the mx is not a proven engine yet the cummins is I would probably not go over 500 hundred horses for a truck that isn't doing oversized and heavy haul . W900s 389 petes and t800* are built for severe duty heavy haul aplications and will drink fuel .
     
  8. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

    5,348
    2,598
    Feb 14, 2010
    Jacksonville, FL
    0
    Yeah he never idled. Has an APU. only runs tennessee to georgia and back hauling cans. So im assuming they're empty cans which might be the cause lol. Left that part out, didnt mean to though.
     
    Logan76 Thanks this.
  9. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

    1,112
    632
    Mar 1, 2009
    At The Key Board
    0
    I can't be bothered looking up EVERY Province,

    Ontario changed in 2012, as did BC. Alberta has never really cared and SK scales are always closed. Quebec is easy to get around and MB...again who cares.
     
  10. jrboyce83

    jrboyce83 Bobtail Member

    40
    9
    Nov 14, 2012
    0
    Id rather be compliant across the board than dodging scales and whatnot.
     
    DrtyDiesel Thanks this.
  11. Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

    3,167
    2,358
    Apr 28, 2012
    The Hot Rod Shop Oxford, AL
    0
    So, in other words, not much has changed, which is not what you initially implied.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.