Caterpillar MPG anecdotes

Many moons ago when I was a company driver I drove a w900L with a 6nz, doing LTL reefer, so starting out 75-80k, diminishing weight. It got 6.4 to 7 religiously, I drove mostly by the boost gauge, keep it under 10 psi most of the time and it'll get this. 3.55, 13 speed, 22.5 low pro rubber, 1500 rpm at 70, I mostly drove it in the 62-67 range, even though it wasn't governed.

Later, my own 2009 w900L, first truck (POS cat SDP engine) - all specs the same as company w9, lucky to get 5.0, same work as above. Garbage engine.

I had a freightliner classic xl, my own, 2000, s60, 3.90, 18 double over with 24.5 tall rubber, it was a straight 500 horse maybe 1650 on the torque I don't remember, not winning any races that's for sure, 1500 rpm at 65, drove that harder than the cat powered truck, had to keep your foot well into it to keep it moving. Mostly heavy weight now, not diminishing loads anymore, 78-80k sometimes up to 87k if in canada, always got around 6.5. Mostly 62 to 70 mph.

My 389, 2016, 3.73, 46k rears on this one, 18 double over, 22.5 low pro, cummins cm2350 500/1850, 1500 rpm is 65 mph, mostly cruise 60 to 67 range, still steadily heavy, I get in winter 5.2 to 5.5, summer 5.5 to 6, only way over 6 is empty, seen a 7.1 only once.

All this is pulling reefers, no huge gap between truck and trailer. Never was one to idle either. The freightliner was my best money maker but I was fixing it all the time. My pete is much more comfortable and honestly I wouldn't have it any other way. I am considering selling and exiting the industry and should be able to extract pretty much what I bought it for. Haven't had any major repairs just an injector one time. Reefer also the same top of the line GD should be able to sell for probably 75-80% what I paid for it.

 

You need to figure out what best suits you. They all have great quality pre 03.

500 BK 12.7l and yearly average is 6.5 running OH,MI,IN. Hopper, Covered wagon. Both pay per weight. I've seen 5.2-8.6. All depends. As others said. A bicycle might pass me leaving a red light. I have more idle time with hopper, but no way to change it.

You,yourself has more to do with milage than the engine. Seen some hot Cat,N14 Motors get great fuel milage. Seen some Detroit suck. Normally it's the drivers fault. All 3 excellent Engines.

 

Should be able to do 6 pretty regular. I do 4.5 loaded 10 foot wide and 14 high with round bales running 70 to 78 mph the whole way.

 

Fuel mileage is way more driver dependent than engine truck etc....
I’ve seen many many examples over the years and one of my best friend fleet shop foreman will tell you the same
15 identically spec’d trucks....fuel mileage range of 2.5 Mpg across the board
In my now semi retired case...When I run it’s a 96 379...5ek@475...3:55 w/18
Last driver in it 5 years when newly rebuilt
Averaged 4.5 pullin smooth side Dane reefer
I’ve run it last 1.5 years w/53 stainless spread I average 6.7

 

Dropping a pre emission engine in your truck will cost you at least $20k not including engine itself, unless you will be doing all the work yourself

 

Rebuild parts run ya 20k...after you buy the motor