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I know that this can vary widely, but what would you say is the average reefer fuel usage in a week's time? Also, is there non-highway diesel available at the truck stops for the reefer?

 

Fueling network is quite large, and if you are leasing you can do cash purchases wherever you want.

As far as the reefer fuel usage, depends on the setting, temp outside, andthe condition of the reefer motor.

 

I know what you're getting at here...

There is non-commercial diesel at truckstops, although you won't always be able to get a 13'-6" vehicle near enough to the pump to get some. That being said, my reefer cost last year was 0.9 cents per mile after deducting fuel surcharge and discounts. That's not exactly one of the major costs you're going to run into - at least with our reefer units. Also, making sure that you do your macro 52's and getting your reefer tank filled promptly on hooks so that you're eligable for 100% reimbursement makes more sense.

Then there is explaining what you're doing with a commercial vehicle at a non-commercial fuel pump. That could get ugly.

I spend more on tolls than I do reefer, so routing to avoid tolls when possible while still taking advantage of lower tractor fuel costs is really something that you'd get a better return on. Like... running US30 across Indiana and Ohio then jumping up to I80 across Pennsylvania to avoid the Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania turnpikes. That was 2.1 cents per mile last year - I'd rather work on that and get it down to the reefer cost myself. BTW... macro 15 is the fastest routing, not necessarily the shortest - it also does not take into account traffic, congestion or hard climbs.

 

Hah, you knew where I was going - tolls was next on my mind.

 

They try to get us to whoever is cheapest that day. Always run a new mac 27 when you need fuel even if it gives you multiple stops. Prices change daily

 

Macro 27 is optimized to keep company drivers from running out of fuel, and it doesn't take state fuel tax rates into account - at least the last time I talked to Verna about it. Also, if Podunk PeeLOT is having a bad month and Prime's fuel quota at that stop isn't up to snuff, it will send you to Podunk PeeLOT's higher fuel price than the more economical stop down the street.

Just somethin' else for the lease-op to consider. BTW, macro 27's routing is the shortest route available.

 

ok thanks, i just taking alot of notes and trying to learn as much as i can before i get to springfield next month.

got a lot of great info on here already about what to bring to training and what not too and other things.

trying to find out info about the hours of service kinda got it down so far, still a little confused on the having to take 33 hours sometimes i know the trainers are there for me to learn all this but i'd like to be ahead of the game.

watched several youtube videos on the qualcom elog and other things like shifting

cant wait to get started.

 

Don't worry too much about 34 hour resets. You don't do them as much as you think you would. In the 7 months I drove at Prime, I did an actual reset on the road only once.

In PSD and TnT, you will have to log driving in the Qualomm so you will learn all that info. It's actually a lot easier then it seems.

Shifting takes awhile to get used too. Just don't give up and try not to get too stressed. Before you know it, you'll shift like a pro. My first day driving I stalled 5 times I think. By the time I left, I could float every gear like nothing. It takes time, but you'll get there if you try.

 

That's a big change from when they first got the thing. It used to figure in the tax rate and the routing was the cheapest taking into account taxes, tolls and fuel price. Mac 15 was fastest route. Of course there wasn't any company trucks back then so I guess that's the difference.
Pretty much worthless to the rest of us that pay fuel taxes.

 

I don't think there are any of our fuel stops left with off-road diesel.
Even when there was Prime didn't want us to use it cause it is dyed red and could end up in a truck.
It doesn't matter anyway since we get a refund on all highway tax paid on reefer fuel each quarter.
Last year my reefer fuel was .01/mi. So far this year it's almost zero. The load I have right now pays $353 reefer fuel surcharge and I might use 30 gal.