65mph vs 70mph

Those large carriers spec their trucks to do x speed for the sweet spot of where optimal mpg meets speed. But take a truck with different gearing and that optimal mpg will be at a higher or lower speed.

 

That's my point. I'm not advocating doing 80 mph. But the driver that can run the speed limit or a few over can also afford to stop and kick the tires or sit down and eat a lunch at a table instead of a steering wheel.
And most important doesn't need to do 65 in a 45 mph construction zone!!!

 

Only if both drivers are pulling loads for a cheap rate. Oh...

...but you said Florida. Nevermind.

My truck isn't governed. I don't haul freight for cheap and my customers expect delivery pronto. I generally set the cruise at 70 mph. That keeps me in the flow of light traffic, with more speed available to expedite a pass.

 

Which truck has Paper logs and ELD? I'd take the Paper.. DOT doesn't know how fast your truck can go.

 

I think Lepton1 has a bunch of ungoverned trucks. Maybe he has a spare to drop me into it.

I would not have a problem with ungoverned trucks having got all the crazy stuff out of the system decades ago. 85 in texas with the horses for the midland hills would be so nice....

 

I cruise at 71. Truck gets 6.5 mpg loaded cruising the plains.

Yes, I stop more and pass the same megas multiple times.

If my truck can do it why not? I’m not in a rush but I don’t want to poke around all day either.

 

Are you listening to yourself? Imagine the fuel economy you'd get if you slowed down a bit and kept the door closed. You say you're not in a rush, yet you'd have to be to maintain that attitude and so you can catch up and pass the 64 mph trucks so you don't feel as though you're losing.

But whatever. Just don't stop on the shoulder because I'm about done trying to move over for those drivers who stop every 80-100 miles and usually on the shoulder

 

Stex that is a good post you made; the amount of fuel it takes to pull over stop then get back to cruising speed. Better just to keep it at steady pace.

I lane I looking at gets me home weekends, but to make it work on the dollar side I needed to drop my speed from 75 to 65~71 and gain about a mpg. Yes at 75 the rolling hills on I-80 lets me keep it on cruise and be lazy, but burns a #### out of fuel by not dropping a gear (or 2).

 

I think the real question is... do I want to sit behind the wheel for an 8 hour stretch at 65 mph and get DVT’s and a pulmonary embolism?

Or do I want to drive 70 mph and have a minute or two to stop at a rest area a couple of times to take a leak and stretch my legs?

 

Three, because contrary to popular belief, turtles can’t fly.