Fuel efficiency standards

The whole thing is very disgusting to me. I really hate the EPA and these standardsup with a passion. If i was willing to truly organize an event with a very large group of trucks to show our government that the trucking industry is not happy would you help? Im not talking about anything like the disappointing dc shutdown. Just an event in each state that would start at the same time to get alot of attention. Simple and easy so everyone can get back to work right after and its closer to home.

 

It is not a surprise that the Federal government is mandating tighter fuel efficiency standards. I pickup new trailers at manufacturers all over the country, less than 30% of the OTR 53' vans have side skirts on them, a cheap easy way to pickup 5%+ on fuel mileage. Without the nudge, the industry would do little or nothing.
It is analogous to what the Feds did in 1966 for automobile safety. Starting with lap belts right up to the current state of the art air bags and crumple zones, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of lives saved since the early 80's when air bags first were mandated. All fought tooth and nail by the auto industry. Now would you put your family in a car without all of the latest safety equipment?
Unless you think it would be best to go back to the mechanical engines getting 4.5 mpg of the 1960's and trying to make a profit in today's trucking business, you should welcome these changes. If you are consistent you should also log off the computer that is in your hands right now, ditch the wireless device you use everyday and put the black dial phone back on the wall of the kitchen in your house.

 

There is no need for regen systems, DEF, DPF filters and excessive multiplexing. The 98-03 engines ran great and had the best fuel efficiency. I manage a truck leasing shop and deal with these new systems everyday. All they are is an added expense to the driver, the owner, and everyone else in the industry. LED lighting and apu's, etc i can see helping but the government is going too far with emissions. The way i see it we are actually moving backwards now.

 

So now I know why there are so many bad drivers on the roads now. Because the cars are too safe and the bad drivers are surviving their wrecks. Anyone ever notice new technology always costs a whole bunch to do the same job we were already getting done a whole lot cheaper? There have been some great advances in safety, I'm not denying that. But we keep choking these engines for a cleaner environment, yet the big coal plants, while better than they once were, are still spewing out pollutants. I don't see a def tank next to the smoke stacks. Moderate rain storms still cause raw sewage to run into our rivers from overflows, burst pipes, and equipment failures. Environmentalism is a huge growing for profit industry. Just once I would like to see saving fuel or energy not cost so much. Every time someone saves me a dollar it's costing me one hundred. I'm not college educated but the way I see it if the government or EPA save me any more money I will be broke.

Adam

 

Actually they are shutting down the some of the coal fired plants around me.
Funny thing too is that while sitting at a "Sheetz" mini mart type place in Waynesburg PA and BSing to a couple of my motorcycle riding buddies about them shutting down 2 of the coal fired plants one of the guys i was with explained that he just worked on one of the plants where they did millions of dollars of renovations and up grades on the "scrubbers".
As that discussion was going on a local walked by and told us he was losing his job because of them shutting them down.
EPA is choking this country with its bs.
Government or EPA could care less if you go broke and starve to death.
FYI: Just caught some of a news clip -- Nebraska is denying access for what i think was the oil pipe line from Canada (i didnt catch the whole thing).
Thats how much they actually care about bringing prices down for you or me.

 

Getting rid of some Rinos and Libs can't hurt. Do your part in the elections!

 

I went from Gentryville, IN to San Angelo, TX and didn't average but 4.1. That's WORSE than I was getting with a 425 mechanical I got almost 5 I never dropped below 4.8 unless I pulled a lot of hills. It's ridiculous to think you'll cut everything down and save , they'll raise everything to compensate. Me and my boss had a conversation when I started he runs W900L's, 379EXHD's, and a few T600's. He told me that when EOBR comes the trucks are going and I'm selling the shop. WE DO NOT NEED TO BE TOLD HOW TO OPERATE. The restrictions are tight enough. Leave us alone once. We take enough stuff we don't need anymore. Go ahead mandate fuel restrictions and watch your beef sky rocket. Obama is ruining this country. Here's to you Obama #### OFF!!! I was here driving before you took office and thanks to you I no longer love my job.

 

Nobody tells you what truck to have. Car enthusiasts still drive what was originally made half a century ago. It's about pushing new truck manufacturers to achieve higher standards. It will not hurt to try. Say you get 6 mpg and I will get 9. Just because you don't like being told what to do. Fine with me.
As far as unreliability of newer models, there are a few reliable models out there. They are just beginning to get that def stuff right.
The only minus is for company drivers who want a hood but will not most likely have one. But there are gliders, also an option of being an owner operator if you feel like burning the profit through the stacks

 

My take on the fuel economy stuff they come up with is different. I really don't believe they give a rip if a truck gets 1 mpg or 12. This is all a ruse to give them more leverage to increase the fuel tax. It is just that simple. They can claim that since they mandated all of this CAFE standard stuff, the number of gallons per vehicle are less, so vehicles are not paying the fair compensation for the damage they are doing to the roads. So, we need to increase the fuel tax. Whenever you wonder why the government is doing something, just think of how they can benefit from any regulatory thing. Money or power.

Really surprised no one in the media sees this for what it is.