mercer transportation

Negatives... The 11R's will last longer (not by much) and you'll need to recalibrate your speedometer. And obviously these aren't game changer negatives.
How you like that N14 vs the S60?

 

That's a good idea.... They sell that stuff in all different mesh sizes.

 

We have a winner!!!

 

Yep got to get cummins to reprogramthe ecm. And got to find the dip settings to calibrate the speedo and odometer in the dash.

As far as lower life i am guessing that will be offset by the lower tire cost.


Cummins vs detroit...eh I'm not impressed. But most of that is just being unfamiliar with it. I know the detroits very very well. The last cummins i worked on was a 290. With time as i become more comfortable with it, aka spend more time wrenching on it getting it 'right',I'm sure i will like it more. First thing i gotta do is getting this #### oil leak taken care of. Only using a gallon in 8k miles so not THAT bad, but it makes a freaking mess which has the effect of not wanting to get under it unless i absolutely have to.

 

Good ole oil leaks make for great rust protection.... I'm getting ready to drop a couple grand to fix my bell housing leak and put in a new clutch (even though I don't need it) because I'm so sick of the oil all over back there, and while it's not too bad I want a better gauge on how much oil I'm burning.
And I just read a comment of yours about doing engine mounts at the same time... Big thanks!

 

I hate oil leaks!! My old 425 mechanical

 

I'm paid on banded miles at a fixed rate, regardless the load, plus FSC. As a result I've become OCD about fuel mileage since its the one variable I can somewhat control. Tires have been a critical focus.

First, ignore the claims tire manufacturers state about low rolling resistance and improved fuel mileage; they're all smoke and mirrors and a load of crap. For example, the M710s you mentioned are advertised to have an improved tread design to improve fuel mileage. The improvement was to change from vertical gaps between the tread blocks to a v-shape because Bridgestone was getting a bad rap for stones lodging in the tread, damaging the casing and making them useless as recap casings. The "improved" fuel mileage I saw using low rolling resistance tires was less than 0.2 mpg. To keep California happy, every manufacturer is selling low rolling resistance tires now.

My truck is a 2011 Prostar with a CM 871 Cummins, 435hp@1850rpm that was speced as fleet OTR with 3.55:1 finals. The lifetime average fuel burn is 8.2 mpg at 810k miles. I run 65mph open road at about 1475-1500 rpm. Bear in mind its an aero truck and I pull dry van only. However, when I got it, it had 150k and the fuel was at 6.8 mpg. Driving style aside, tires have been the single most critical factor in improving fuel mileage.

I'm running Bridgestone R283h 295/75R-22.5 steers and M726el drives. In my never humble opinion, Bridgestone makes the best truck tires. I've run Continentals, okay but freaking noisy, Michelins, overrated and wildly overpriced, Goodyears, great rain tire but fast wear and, hands down, all inferior to Bridgestones. However, lug tread drive tires, any manufacturer, will cost you substantial fuel mileage.

Cummins did a fuel mileage study and among the expected ways to save fuel, e.g. slow down, was a surprise nugget. New lug tread tires will cost a loss of 1-2mpg for the first 30k or more miles. I have been running 20-30k used drive tires for the last two years. Since my idea of severe weather is heavy rain I have decided to replace my drives with non-lug tires as mine wear out.

Another obvious point was alignment and tire balance both for wear and fuel mileage. I have a guy who comes across from Mexico to do my three axle alignments and spin balance my steers for $250. He does the balance with the tires/rims on the truck so the brake drum, hub, rim and tire are balanced as one piece. I carefully track my fuel mileage and this was worth an immediate 0.75mpg.

Excuse the long, drawn out but I believe you asked for it, pal. BTW, with the precise RPM numbers you mention I suspect you have some kind of engine scanner. I'm considering getting a ScanGuage D. Any thoughts or opinions?

Frank

 

I love Mercer.. Just a breath a fresh air from the normal bs...

 

I was asking about the 11r 24.5. I haven't had to replace many tires in my time on the side of the road so that was my concern seeing I have 24.5s. As a company driver we had the low pros and they always set up the repairs.

 

I'll take a pic of the screen when I get it off this weekend. Not sure how to repair it as it looks glue or pressed together lol