MPG

I don't know why you're worried about burning less fuel. You've got no mountains to climb.

Isn't that enough fuel savings right there?

 

Thanks, Snowwy, Ripper, y'all. I enjoy these MPG chats because last year I thought I was a big p#&@y and stayed out a lot less? I was, down from my average of 120K/year to 103K last year. I still managed to spend nearly $60K on fuel. If I learn anything at all, it helps me make better (more informed) choices.

Another reason to hit the up button on the cruise control is passing thru major metro at a better timeframe. LA Houston, Bay area, an hour can make a big difference.

Another reason to cruise faster is that you get to pass more cars and trucks. I have to say, it is kind of fun to rip on by those CR and Prime trucks. If I run around 1,500rpm, I get to pass a whole lot of trucks, all those with preset at 65 or 68.

If I had trips waiting for me, I think I'd run a higher speed and burn the fuel to get there faster. As it is, leased on to CFI, I often get hours between loads and deadheads to get them. (all dispatched miles paid) I would really hate to be the idiot driver beating feet to the next stop only to sit there waiting.

Thanks again.

Oh, by the way, running the Inter-mountain West, Rockies, Wasatch, Sierra (serious mountains, not those little hills they call mountains east of the Big River) that's why we have gears in our transmissions. I like to cruise on up at a good rpm, and not put the foot feed on the floor if I can help it.

 

I guess most don't get how to actually run the truck as it is supposed to be run.

Find the sweet spot and stick to it.

If you are buying a truck, then spec it to run at a given road speed for that sweet spot, this is where everything falls into place from lower wear to better mileage.

There is no proof that running slower actually wears the parts faster than running faster.

YOUR cost of maybe 2000 hours during the life of the truck is not what is the problem.

 

As pointed out in other posts.

For all you long haulers that are out for weeks at a time. And probably do a lot of sitting around. Slow is good if that's your speed. I couldn't do it. I get really tired doing 55 in california.

I ran regional. We unloaded in the morning, reloaded in the evening. Home on the weekend. Except the last company was out and back, home for the night. out and back. home for the weekend. We didn't have appointments. But we DO have mountains and those darn things can really push you back. Fuel savings is practically meaningless around these parts.

Be nice if the whole country was flat.

 

You are absolutely correct IF you have three days to get it there and three days back. What if they expect better service than three days? What if they PAY A LOT MORE for that service?

Start looking at the bigger picture of how much GROSS PROFIT (Revenue minus Fuel) you can make. If I had been a fuel savings zombie this last week, running at 62 mph, I would have lost close to $1500 gross profit and counting (counting because I still have hours available to run and I am #1 for dispatch tomorrow morning). If I ran at 62 mph I would be taking a 34 hour reset in Houston, a horrible area for rates, with my thumb firmly planted up my hiney. Instead I am available to serve our customers tomorrow, then can decide whether to take a 34 or can pile up enough recap hours to run two team round trips totalling 4000 miles starting Wednesday.

My bottom line for this week is greatly improved by running "hard" aka "fast" and increasing revenue. By the way, I am really happy with the 6.9 mpg average I get. Together with the deep fuel discount passed through to me from my carrier, I expect to pay about $40K in fuel this year.

 

I have long ago stopped trying to figure out why other drivers do what they do. Just let them go, help them make their pass by slowing down, and maintain safe spacing. Nothing is more important than that.

I have no idea whether a hard charging driver is on a tight deadline or is simply the south end of a northbound horse. I always assume the best, let it go, and concentrate on making my delivery safely.

If you really want to learn more about how to be a successful owner operator, start reading through the threads on that subforum. Some have tried the high fuel efficiency route. Read through what they have to say from their experience. That's all I will tell you in advance. Do your research.

 

What do you mean no added benefits. They got there sooner. They can go to bed sooner. And start there day sooner. AND. not to mention. More available parking by getting there sooner.

That's A LOT OF ADDED BENEFITS.

 

My run costs me an extra $40-50 round trip. 800 miles one way and usually get two trips in just over 5 days with time left to get at least another 1/2 a trip before I need a 34. Now if you add up the extra fuel it costs me $125 roughly for the week. But if you add in the 1/2 trip I get over 1400 extra for the week.

Now I obviously don't get paid until I drop the trailer. This week and next week I may only get two loads dropped but that third week I am getting three loads dropped.

If it costs me an extra $125 a week that comes to $500 for the month. But that extra load in week three gets me an additional $2800 for the month because I will get two more in week 4.

I am running 75-80 mph when I can. Just running a steady speed saves me 7 gallons per fill up. I followed another driver and he was speeding up and slowing down all the way across Wyoming. Separated myself from him and run my way and use less fuel just keeping the speed steady.

 

Yeah, I am a big fan of running a steady pace. For that reason I hate running with anyone else. No offense intended, but running a steady pace seems to be a rare habit.