What us your opinion over horsepower? 500 v 455

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019.

What is the best choice for most trucking?

  1. 500

    13 vote(s)
    27.1%

  2. 455

    4 vote(s)
    8.3%

  3. 500+

    31 vote(s)
    64.6%
Page 2 of 7
  1. Nov 7, 2019 #11
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    CHEAP.

    Carriers hate to spend money.

    There is another line of thought one manager offered me a long time ago. If you give a company driver a crappy engine with less horse, he will not be able to speed as much. So other than being cheap, it is a form of safety measure in secret.

    IF you are buying tractors and want those 650 horse redtops in every one, it's going to cost you a dime.
     
    x1Heavy, Nov 7, 2019
    x1Heavy, Nov 7, 2019
    #11
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  3. Nov 7, 2019 #12
    olddog_newtricks

    olddog_newtricks Medium Load Member

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    If you are hauling heavy and in the hills a lot the more horsepower the better. Because you aren't getting any mpg anyway.
     
    olddog_newtricks, Nov 7, 2019
    olddog_newtricks, Nov 7, 2019
    #12
  4. Nov 7, 2019 #13
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    455 is a cheaper spec, especially the lower torque ones.

    I drove a minor upgrade for over month, half a mpg better on fuel, and quicker to get there despite being governed 1.5 mph slower. That was a 470 versus 455, but also a year newer with an.mproved setup. The quicker was the most surprising.
     
    25(2)+2, Nov 7, 2019
    25(2)+2, Nov 7, 2019
    #13
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  5. Nov 7, 2019 #14
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Lower HP/TQ, less chance of noobs breaking stuff.
     
    AModelCat, Nov 7, 2019
    AModelCat, Nov 7, 2019
    #14
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  7. Nov 7, 2019 #15
    Driver Eight

    Driver Eight Light Load Member

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    I'd be reefer running a lot of Seattle 90 94 through Montana onward. 80 to and from SF. Not much 70 over the rockies. up and down the west coast on the 5. Out of LA on 15. Bakersfield east. Everywhere else too. But they have those regular at the carrier where I want to work.
     
    Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019
    Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019
    #15
    x1Heavy Thanks this.
  8. Nov 7, 2019 #16
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    There was no 515 detroit in 2000.
     
    jamespmack, Nov 7, 2019
    jamespmack, Nov 7, 2019
    #16
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  9. Nov 7, 2019 #17
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    Given the fact I knew guys pulling 100k plus with a 238 idk. What are you doing and what kind of driver are you.

    I have a "500"ish and have guys wine and cry all the time how slow I take off from lights.
     
    jamespmack, Nov 7, 2019
    jamespmack, Nov 7, 2019
    #17
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  10. Nov 7, 2019 #18
    Driver Eight

    Driver Eight Light Load Member

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    I anticipate driving like a granny :cool: But my question stems from anxiety over leasing to a carrier that runs 455 HP .289 ratio or something, and I don't want to blow up my relative fuel bill coming in there with a different setup that they have chosen for their lanes. If it is an inconsequential concern, then whatever. But it's a question as far as how much for me is my fuel bill higher than on their own trucks. Hey it'd be great if driving like granny will work well with more HPand more torque like some are saying here.
     
    Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019
    Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019
    #18
    x1Heavy and jamespmack Thank this.
  11. Nov 7, 2019 #19
    Driver Eight

    Driver Eight Light Load Member

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    engine longevity another side question about lower HP
     
    Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019
    Driver Eight, Nov 7, 2019
    #19
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  12. Nov 7, 2019 #20
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    So the drivers have a harder time tearing out the drivetrain. If they snap an axle or drive line then the truck is down, needs a tow, repair bills, load is late... Just spec the truck to be more forgiving of the driver that will just mash the throttle as much as possible.

    Higher HP is better for fuel mileage, as long as you don't mash on it all the time. It can do worse of you mash on it too much. Just take it easy. Easy in and easy out.
     
    skellr, Nov 7, 2019
    skellr, Nov 7, 2019
    #20
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