65mph vs 70mph

The Mack I drive is casterated at 72 mph. I drive what the conditions dictate. Under good conditions I set it at the posted speed, or a few over. And let the dog run. Still get around 6.5 mpg loaded usually around 78k.

 

Absolutely not true

 

I challenge ANYBODY to show me any late model truck that runs 70-75 and any other late model truck that runs 60-65 where the faster truck gets the same or better fuel burn rate.

It simply isn't going to happen. But I get that we have different priorities. And upper management that operates 200+ trucks certainly have a good reason to view even just a 0.2 mpg fleet improvement translates into many thousands of dollars saved every week. But who here cares about the boss saving money? The answer is anybody who's never struggled to run a business in a very competitive market.

 

You are absolutely correct IF you are talking about an owner operator hauling freight for cheap, like the typical $1/mile + FSC idiocy offered by the mega's. Heck, they even proudly ADVERTISE those slave rates on the back of their trailers and STILL folks are falling all over themselves to get in a seat.

BUT what if the folks taking you to task about your comments, like me, are talking about making real money? Let's pretend such a trucker is getting north of $2.50 per mile for all miles and north of $3.50 per mile for loaded miles. Would it make sense to piss off a customer because an oil rig is down, waiting for the drill motors on your deck, burning through $20K an hour waiting for your load, for you to dawdle along and be hours later than you should be if you drove well under the speed limit? How about the idea that by driving the speed limit you can increase your revenue an additional $1000 a week, because you can run a couple more loads? Factor in the fact that you only average about 2000 miles a week. The additional cost of fuel is a tiny fraction of revenue. Lost revenue has a much bigger impact on your gross profit than worrying about fuel.

 

Lol, exactly. FEMA called us to fuel generators in Houston.

“Hey, we’ll be there but we’re gonna go 62 mph to keep the mpgs up even though we’re allowed to use dyed diesel now.”

 

Dawdle?

Excuse me Sir... 10 mph with stops on the water crossings so you don't splash....

///TEASE... I have to tease sometime. Bottom line I enjoyed the video very much well done.

 

True that!

But as we both know you don't "make time" on often hideous off pavement roads. That's the time to make sure you protect the truck or road for damage by taking it in low range all the way, ESPECIALLY if the oil rig is only allowed to operate with strict 15 mph speed limits on the county roads.

 

Going up a winding mud goat trail to a mine is always fun too...

 

Heck, I'm learning to love goat tracks. It's the hiking trails I'm still trying to adjust to.

 

Lol anything to keep me off the boring interstate.