Low fuel mileage on Semi Trucks

So low?

Those look good.

 

Because Volvo is trying to kill Mack.

 

Different specs.

 

Ratios,different shoes(blocks), different trailer type/gap between cab and trailer, different operating location, midroof, etc

 

You do realize that not everyone runs dry van or reefer trailers, on roads other than four lane highways?

I see the four lane highway for about 50% of my night. The rest of the time I'm on some two lane goatpath climbing some mountain. And, with a tanker, I'm either 80,000+, or empty at 26,000.

My lifetime mileage on this truck, which is a 2108 Western Star 4900 glider is 5.43 mpg. And I'm not alone with those numbers. Actually, I have the best in our fleet. We have a fellow that averages 4.9. Other companies in the area that we run report the same thing.

Would an aerodynamic truck help? I doubt it would help much, given the average driving speed is only about 55mph.

 

Different speeds.
A total multitude. of reasons.
My trips are 1012 miles round trip returning empty. I can not average 5 mph, but I will burn a solid 100 gallons less than a lot of trucks, per trip.
If I stay on a pipe dolly or flatbed, I can do just a tad over 5, but a tad under wth a van or reefer, and I get stuck with ltl loads a lot.
They have some 4 axle reefers that just coming back empty will add as much as 50 gallons to the trip. lol

 

2016 Pete 579 life 6.83 mpg

 

I get about 5.5 on company 2016 579 because of idle times. Lowest I've seen is 4.5, my company must have crap specs. Highest I've seen on 579 is 6.2.

 

hmm, thought that flux capacitor would be more efficient than that.