Running with JCT, Part Deux

I'm finding the t660 to have poor fuel economy, that's for sure. I'm lucky to hit the magic 7.0 number. Oddly enough, driving at 68 seems to raise my mpg to somewhere around 6.6 to 6.7 when I have 40k plus in the box. I just found that out on this load I'm under right now. I tried to use Machos 57 mph as a bench mark. I started out good, but my mpg dropped consistently the entire trip. By the end of the trip I was hitting 6.2 to 6.3. I upped my speed to 68 and my mpg increased to 6.7 even on the hills. I absolutely don't get it, but that's what happened.

My first settlement with the full lease payment taken out came through and I was pleased BIG TIME. Much higher than I was expecting even without the detention pay.

Miles are steady even with some of the extreme sitting at shippers and receivers. They are also planning me in a way that uses every hour I have available.

I tested this truck on idle, and it's HORRIBLE. It uses 1.8 gallons an hour to idle. In the summer this will rip a settlement to shreds. APU is mandatory if you drive this truck and I don't have one. I also DESPISE not having an inverter. Those heater stoves SUCK. In the three years I've driven prior to JCT, I've always had an inverter without exception.

My fuel gauge doesn't operate properly and it's a HUGE headache. Fuel is a business inventory item and not knowing how much fuel I have available to burn irritates me to no end. I want to run efficiently but I find myself not trusting the instant mpg and the tank size. I know running out of fuel on the side of the road can be costly and I try to avoid it in every way possible.

Still, I'm happy overall, irregardless of the truck. Just counting down to upgrade time...crosses fingers.

 

If your fuel economy is getting better going faster, could be a sign of leak in the charge air cooler. Heard this lots of times on Kevin Rutherfords radio show. Going faster shouldn't equal better mpg.

 

Could be, but I can get 8.5 empty. Also, there doesn't seem to be any problems at all that I can detect in pretrips or while driving.

 

question . Since this was hubby's first home time with JCT he came home on Friday walked in the door at 5 pm and left yesterday. am Since while on Friday coming back home the trailer was giving him issues with the alternator. So he had to take it to the shop on Friday and it was not ready til Monday afternoon. So my question is are loading hard after home time hes been stuck in Lodi since yesterday am no loads yet just sitting and waiting. I know its hard to determine when loads get dispatched poor guy he dont like to sit for long periods of time waiting and waiting. He did get a something from Lodi to Newman to Pennsylvanian but that got cancelled out that was yesterday so now he has to have patience.

 

The KW's are configured to get better MPG at 68 m.p.h. They were ordered that way on purpose.

As far as fuel gauge issue, have then replace the fuel sending unit.

Also, don't get too attached to Thai truck as JCT will be trying to weed them off the fleet.

 

Excellent info to know.

 

This load is NOT gonna be fun. Three stops. Murrieta, Roseville and Brentwood, CA. All of them to Tuesday Morning Restaurants. FML. All of them areas best suited for straight trucks.

 

Why they still send trucks into areas that they don't belong is beyond me...I've often wondered what happens if you can't make the delivery for some reason..lease termination...death by hanging....I have no idea. One thing I do know, if I can't do it, it won't get done, and that's that....

 

I only comment on that based on the fact that I'm a weak backer of trucks and I've got a truck that makes weak backer of trucks worse backer of trucks. It makes me nervous being the worrier that I am...

 

I pickup the load first thing in the morning. First drop is on the 17th and two on the 18th. You can bet that I will be trying to drop this in Colton for sure.