Intermodal Day Cab

I would imagine that if you're gonna be hauling the cans long distances at highway speeds, it would save you a good bit on fuel. Not so much if you stay local on the surface streets at low speeds.

 

Yeah it would overtime.

 

Here's what I did yesterday on a 70,000lbs direct import from Port of Oakland Everport to Safeway DC in Tracy, CA:

60 miles loaded
60 empty return

5.5avmpg loaded
6.0 empty

20' can on a slider chassis for legal weight on tandems

Bare bones Freightliner/DD16 shortened wheel base daycab with a grass burner exaust and horse piss tank with two regular diesel tanks.

I did better with a Volvo/Cummins and International/Cummins sleeper but the V was 2006 before CARB regs at 7-8ampg and the I was 2010 with a regen 5.7ampg mostly.

I'd say aerodynamics don't make more than a small difference. I hear it said pennies a day make a better profit but it comes down to what you want to do with it be it specialized, diverse or other.

I built mine for diversity in what I put on my back, manueverability and clearance.