2007 Peterbilt 386 C15 CAT MPG

1. + 1 on everything Hurst said.

2. I pull 80K+ containers on tri axles....

3. My truck has 3.36 and 6.25 is IT!!! (engine is in 100% stock trim).

4. NO WAY he's doing over 7mpg EASY.....even running 58 mph....

5. I LOVE THIS ENGINE!!!!!

6. If you're looking for great or even good fuel mileage running containers....good luck!!!!

7. Even the S60's (my 14L or the myriad of 12.7L in the company I'm leased on to) are not gonna pull 7 mpg's EASY running containers (length of haul and running condition of chassis are critical). Not to mention if you're running 20 foot containers on tri axles at 80K+ your pulling a brick 20 feet from your cab. If your running 40 or 53 foot tri axles it might be better.....

8. CAT C-15 ACCERT is a great engine if you're looking for power, drivability and reliability (not so good on MPG's or cost of parts).

9. Once you go CAT, you never want to go back!!!!!

10. Did I say, I love this engine???!!!

good luck!!!

 

When I did reefer work, I was driving a 2008 KW T660, full fairing kit with air dam on roof, 475hp Acert. 18 spd, 3.25 rears on 22.5 rubber.

I could average 6 - 6.2 mpg with cruise set at 68 mph,. being reefer,.. I was almost always at or near gross. Often playing with fuel levels to keep it legal. So it is possible,.. but I dont think the setup he just bought will do it with out some serious effort.

I've been in enough acerts to know how to get the most out of them. They like lower RPMs. Start running over 1450 RPMs and they start to get thirsty. 1300 - 1400 is the ideal cruising RPM for an acert. Well for MPG anyway.

Hurst

 

+1 I love my CAT too,

I love the sound of a CAT at idle.

A CAT will make or break you. When running right and driven right,.. its a beautiful thing.

Expensive when they break. Expensive when driven wrong.

Most who run CATs are not too concerned about fuel mileage. Unfortunately I need to watch mine.

I am jealous of company drivers in nice CAT powered Petes who have no concern about fuel mileage at all. Drivers tell me their company doesnt care,.. just load and deliver as fast as they can. We roll out together. They start pushing 75 - 80 mph,.. I let off. 75 mph for me is about 1700 RPM and 4.5 mpg. Too rich for my blood.

Hurst

 

And the sound of those Jakes!!!....

 

I did auto parts for 4 months, Joliet to Louisville....not for me!!!!.....

 

The sound yes,.. the actual performance no. Cummins has probably the best working Jake out there.

I think Detroit has a great sound to their Jake as well. The carrier I am leased with has a couple Coronado gliders with the 12.7 and while I wasnt too thrilled with the electronically controlled throttle and lack of power when compared to my C15,.. I do prefer to use the jakes when ever possible and I was pretty happy with the sound of the jake from the 12.7. Plus I was averaging 7.4 mpg to boot.

Fuel would have to get ridiculously expensive before I would consider trading my CAT for something more fuel efficient.

Hurst