Crete

i did not want to hi-jack the other crete threads so anyways as you may or may not have known, i took an urgent, last minute run to L.A.

Anyways, what happened was that i got on I-40 at Clinton Oklahoma (forgot the exit #) and then a crete truck got into the left lane to let me in. Now, since the engine was still cold ( i had just started my day) i decided to cruse at around 50-55 until the engine warmed up to 180 degrees. I then decided to bump up the cruse 1 mile per hour per every mile marker i passed. So it took me about 15 miles or so to get up to max cruising speed.

Anyways, after about 1/2 hour or so i think that i see a crete truck. One way i knew was that the DOT bumper on crete trailers are RED. Also in the distance whenever on curves, i could see the crete logo and stripes on the side of the trailer. The thing was i just could not catch him. And my truck ran about 68-9. This went on for i don't know how many miles---we passed that crooked water tower in texas wherever that was.

At about 20 miles east of Amarillo i discovered that CAT (my truck actually had a cat---and it was a freightliner) has something called "soft cruise" or something. Where the cruise control may set at say 65 but if you press the pedal down all the way,the truck will actually go a little faster. So then, and only then could i eventually pass this Crete truck. Remember this is approx 20 miles east of amarillo and we started off at Clinton Oklahoma. I could not catch him for that far.

So, what i want to know is how fast can Crete trucks really do? Remember that i know for sure that my truck did at least 68 mph. By the way, the truck number ended in xx if that makes a difference. I believe the first 3 or 4 numbers were xxx, but i dont remember for sure.

 

Ok, let me clarify:

1) I've always ASSumed that all Crete (and schaffer etc.) trucks can only do 65. I KNOW my truck did at least 68mph all day on the cruise. The only way i caught him was to press the pedal down all the way. I was only 47000 gross and it, if you're familiar with I-40 between OK city and amarillo, it's pretty flat. So i don't think the last two factors made a difference.

2) I didn't say that he was doing anything wrong. In fact, i'm happy for him---if in fact Cretetrucks can do better than 65.

2a) I posted the truck number (actually the last two digits because i don't exactly remember the first 3) because i'm thinking maybe senior drivers are assigned certain series trucks that go faster than the rest of the fleet? NEMF used to do that.

3) Crete/Schaffer is near the top of my list for possible prospects and if, in fact the trucks do better than 65, then that is a plus.

 

That's fine; What i'm trying to assertain is how fast can Crete/Schaffer trucks go?

i actually delivered some Crete trucks last year (freightliner centurys) but i don't remember if they could go faster than 65.

Oh well, maybe i'll just e-mail truckertom.

P.S. i don't think Detroit has the "soft cruise" thing so i don't think he was pressing down on the pedal.