Does speeding save fuel?

Those early paccar engines were absolute pigs, no doubt about it, but lets compare apples to apples. are the big cams pulling better fuel economy doing the same runs?

completely agree with your statement about the regen issues. I'm never going to own an emissions engine but i won't ever own another mechanical either. No reason to go back to those engines from the 80s when the late 90s/early 2000s had better more powerful and more efficient engines.

 

My first thread on this forum years ago asked how to drive for best fuel economy. At that time I was teaming with my brother, who got a whopping total of $1.30 a mile. Fuel economy was important. He could barely rub two nickels together after every settlement check.

Fast forward to today, and I don't give a rats ### about fuel economy.

Why?

Because I make twice as much on average for all miles as my brother was making back then.

It chapped me a bit to see wiser forum members on that first thread asking why I wanted better fuel economy. They said, "If you are making more money per mile, then run hard and get more revenue!"

I didn't understand it at that time. Now I do.

If you are asking how to maximize fuel economy, then you are very likely stuck with low revenue freight. THAT'S the problem, NOT whether you are getting the best fuel economy.

I might be that driver passing you several miles an hour faster than you, and you might be thinking I'm dumb, wasting all that fuel. But I am focused on revenue TTT (To The Truck) per day and I am getting my load delivered on time, in order to get that next load paying north of $3/mile. If I dawdled to save fuel that $3000 load will go away.

Maybe the better question is how to maximize gross profit (RTTT minus fuel).

 

I run a 2004 470 C-13 and can get between 6-6.5 mpg at 80-100k. I do better in Ontario on the 17 than the Paccar as well. When the Paccar's are turned up, it makes a bit of a difference, but they are fuel hungry on anything weighty. They like pulling light and on flat ground.

 

Yes the money u save on fuel , will be used for ur speeding tickets

 

Wow you go. I dont care how much or how cheap you or anyone works. If you don't want to save $$ and have more profit, plus not be in the shop as much , your wife or honey must have a great job.

 

If your making the right money why does fuel economy make a difference.
@Lepton1 makes a valid point.

 

Its the "extra" money get a calculator out and some paper. Depends on miles, but how does 200 to 500 a month savings in fuel sound? Plus the extra wear in tires etc.you could be saving? But like I say, do it how you want. But for me I will go for my bonus. I am op so I make my own bonus. If your company and no fuel bonus, then hammer down.

 

You sound like Kevin Rutherford. I'm going to hammer down in my company truck. Thanks.
This was yesterday. In derate mode I was 6.5mpg on dash.

 

You missed the point entirely. If running faster will mean getting the load of sooner and reloading sooner it will always equal more money in the bank even after the additional fuel cost. On the days where i am not reloading till tomorrow anyway then I'll putter along and enjoy the fuel savings. When you get a good rate fuel cost becomes a smaller and smaller portion of your revenue.

 

I just don't like running Swift/Prime like but I don't think, that would make any difference with the number of loads I could cover. So many times I was hammering, trying to make it on time or even sooner and hoping to reload ASAP but....they kept me there for 4 hours at receiving end anyways.
Nowadays, with ELds, the scheduling is spread with a lot of time margin. There is very few loads posted with over 700 miles when they let you deliver the next day. I don't see how I could reload quicker, if they give you 48 hours to do 800 miles. Might as well be running 55mph. The only thing is that going slow eats the log hours.