What is the difference between a 40,000lbs load, a 44k lb load, and a 46k? In MPG?

When I ran the same route for a decade or so. I was seeing around 1/10 mpg for every 2500 lbs roughly .

 

So much has been said that we’re missing the point. This is your first comment on this thread where you said that one cannot calculate an mpg based on load weight. I have shown that it can indeed be done if you know your average mpg when empty and when loaded to 80k. With these two mpg numbers you can derive your mpg by fractions of weight such as by 1000 lbs.

Pointing out that other factors affect mpg is irrelevant because we are talking about the effects of weight on the mpg. There are obviously lots of factors that play a roll in mpg. All of these factors are part of the final mpg. This discussion is specifically about the load weight and the mpg.

My last point is that even if you cannot view a change of mpg by subtracting 1000 lbs off the load, it does not mean in any way that those 1000 lbs have no effect on the mpg because it clearly does. Again, you may not be able to see it, but it is there.

 

The one person in this thread that posted actual numbers did the same thing for 10 years, which is what I basically said in the post you quoted. He actually had his numbers down. Anyone can estimate, but for the average Joe running irregular routes it will be hard for them to pin down actual numbers based on the load weight.

 

So if it’s not very accurate numbers, then it’s all nonsense? All we need is the big picture for practical purposes. The formula I posted will give you just that once you plug in your average empty and full load weights with their mpg.

On a separate note, it’s funny how usually when I post something useful on this forum, you always have something negative to say.

 

Idk the math. My truck is a different animal above 38,500. I mean you add 500 pounds and it becomes a slug above 38,500. I don't pull that heavy in van. It's nortoriosly cheap anyway. 6,000 pounds makes all the difference between normal and heavy. My truck says so too.

 

Myself, I wouldn't worry about the difference in fuel mileage. I base my cost to do business in the worst average I'm gonna get. If I get better than that on a load then it's like getting a bonus. I make every load profitable based on my worst fuel mileage.

 

Exactly. My fuel cost for 2019 was .43 a mile. If you’re not on a long term dedicated run like the one poster in this thread the weight of the load isn’t going to skew your cost over the long term if you’re running irregular routes. You can estimate what your mpg “should” be if you want, but when it comes time to buy fuel are you going to put in how much you need or how much you should need according to your estimate?

 

Can't worry about things no one has control over.

 

My return loads pay by the ton. Over the course of a year on paper it could very well work out by your estimate to load 24 ton instead of 25 to get that small mpg gain that might be there. But in reality I’ll always be better off loading 25 ton for the extra pay because the wind blows, and it rains, and it snows, or there’s fresh chip seal on the road, and at the end of the year there wouldn’t be a difference in my fuel cost giving up a ton per load. Your estimate is fine, and it’s a ballpark for someone to go from, but anyone running a truck should know their costs and set their rates accordingly. As far as I’m concerned my truck costs me the same to drive down the road empty or loaded light or loaded heavy.

You shared the formula, all I’ve been saying is if you can’t see it on paper at the end of the day (which most people in typical truckload freight won’t) then why worry about an estimate of what your mpg should be. Fuel mileage and fuel costs are long term in my opinion and it’s also my opinion that setting a rate for a load based on a mpg estimate when you have your actual cost wouldn’t be wise. As I said in another post, my cost is .43. Most of my loads are 48000 or 50000. Some are 42000, 44000. In December I hauled a 25000 test load of food grade corn and the rate was still 4.00 a mile because I still have to drive my truck down the road with a .43 fuel cost. I didn’t charge half for half a load and my long term cost and long term mpg didn’t change from it.

Estimate all you want but at the end of the day all that really matters is what’s on paper.

 

Drive it like it's heavy and use/keep the momentum it gives you. Just don't slow down and speed up alot, try and keep it steady with the traffic around you.

My best milage from cost to coast was with heavy loads. Lite loads seem nice,but the wind drags them down too much.