what kind of mpg do you get?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by jlkklj777, Jan 31, 2008.

  1. jlkklj777

    jlkklj777 20 Year Truckload Veteran

    1,871
    1,089
    Oct 1, 2007
    Duncannon, Pa
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    I am curious to see what other drivers are currently getting in regard to miles per gallon. Please list the truck you drive, engine type with hp rating, transmission type, weight of freight you haul, what type trailer, operational area, what speed you normally drive, and how many hours you idle per day.

    I currently drive a 2006 Volvo 610, 430 hp Volvo engine (not sure of the rears), 10 speed automatic trans, about 25,000 to 35,000 lbs, 53' dry van, traveling 60 to 70 mph, operating between Pa and Ca, idling about 7 hours per night (no apu). Best mpg to date is 5.00 usually closer to 4.7 though.
     
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  3. drfuller18

    drfuller18 Light Load Member

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    Jan 26, 2008
    Al
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    Well when I drove I avg. between 7 and 8 MPG, the other 2 trucks I had were different..The guys I had driveing them didnt look at it a serious as I did..And its understandable..I didnt for any company either.. But when your fuel bonus pays weekly in saveings..And its your money, well then its an all new ballgame..You have to take every element that pertains to fuel economy an apply..Ive even hit 8.5 on an avg. one time from LAX to Miami..Theres alot of elements that can tear your fuel mileage apart..Find out what they are, and reduce as many as possible..:yes2557: My trucks were cabover IHs, with 400 detroits and 10 speed direct. The weight varied, and weather and terrain is something none of us have alot of say about..We do the best we can..A 45000 lb load from here to LAX I could avg. 7 to 7.5 no sweat, but up I-77 in West Va..maybe 6.5 to 6.75.. My over all target avg. was 7 or greater..If it hit under that, I got concerned.. Speed and Idleing is your biggest killer when it comes to Fuel economy.
     
    willardskillard Thanks this.
  4. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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  5. Native Dancer

    Native Dancer Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 28, 2007
    Portland, Or.
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    2001 Western Star, 500 hp Detroit, 18 speed, 3.55 rears, open deck equipment.
    My average last year was 6.37 mpg. This included some less than 4 mpg periods in -40 to -60 weather. The new fuel doesn't seem to have much in the way of BTU's especially in the cold. Wind drag is a bigger factor in my fuel milage than weight.
     
  6. d-man57

    d-man57 Light Load Member

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    Nov 20, 2007
    Indiana
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    5.5 mpg is what mine averages. 03 w900 500 cat 13sp. 3.36 gears 24.5 rubber. Runs mostly between in. and tx. Another o/o at work with a Volvo is claiming around 8, he tells me he's gotten 10 running empty. He said this with a straight face and never seemed to b.s. me before, sounds high, but then again he's not pushing a brick thru the air like i am.
     
  7. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
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    we had a columbia with a small bunk and full fairings. 430 or 400 detroit I believe if I remember right. It would get in the 7's pulling a 62k pound MRI scanner and it would hit 10 no problem bobtailing so I dont doubt it
     
  8. 24valve puller

    24valve puller Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    N.E. Oh
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    97 379 exhd,tall bunk, n-14 cummins with pittsburgh box, 18 spd, 3.70 rears tall 24.5 rubber, pull a flatbed, gross weight avg. around 90k Ohio to NYC and back I get 5.6-5.8 most of the time driving right at the speed limit and less the faster I go
     
  9. Laurj018

    Laurj018 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 6, 2008
    Winter Garden, Florida
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    I have an International 9200i detroit diesel 360hp, straight 10speed, 30000-48000pounds, flatbed in florida, empty i cruise mainly at 14rpms that puts me around 57 mph, shoot if i am in no hurry i cruise any where from 55mph-58mph empty, loaded i cruise at 14 rpms no lower i do not want to lug the motor. Last fill up I got 8.8mpg thats pulling flatbed all week except one load where i pulled a van trailer. If i did not have to pull that van i would have probaly hit 9mpg.
     
  10. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    Well hmm....Right now Im averaging mid fives or so. HOWEVER, since Im a company driver, I don't pencil and paper the numbers and just look at the fuel mileage on the dash whish is not always accurate. My problem is that Im idling alot on the colder nights when its below 10 degrees so that drops my mileage per tank down.

    I drive a 06 Century S/T, with I think a 425 detroit, 10spd eaton fuller. Auto parts, van...western WY/ northern UT. I seriously don't have much weight at all...I think that five tons of freight is a high guess. I drive as fast as the truck lets me which is 67ish. Recently it appears our bonus has now been tied into the fuel mileage which should make things interesting because they want us to hit the high sixes
     
  11. Sandlapper

    Sandlapper Light Load Member

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    Feb 6, 2008
    Simpsonville, SC
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    I have a 2007 Volvo 780. 535/hp D-16 Volvo engine 1850 ft lb torque. 13 speed Eaton-Fuller Transmission. 3:42 rearend. I haul a reefer, loads are usually 40k lb up to 43.5k lb bringing the total combined weight up to 76500 lb to 80000 lb. If I run all out and idle at night I get about 5.4 mpg. If I Drive under 65 mph and dont idle at night Ive gotten up to 7.4 mpg. With fuel prices as high as they are, I have been trying to economize my fuel consumption. The D-16 does pretty good considering how big it is. I was at the Volvo dealer the other day and was told about a driver who had his D-16 detuned to 475/hp and is consistantly getting 7+ mpg since the engine has so much torque it still pulled really good up hills.
     
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