Fast trucks driving slow?

Awesome idea... I like it!!!

 

No you don't, you've posted the videos...lol

 

Guilty.

I'm driving a truck I really want to turn into a show truck: to SHOW drivers what NOT to buy. I'll name it "Gutless Wonder". The owner originally bought it specced for Swift, then ungoverned it when he leased it on with a company that runs flatbed to the oil patch.

So yes, I usually set the cruise control at 72 mph in Texas, but even deadheading I need to be prepared to downshift on those major hills on I-35 or I-45.

It sucks when I get passed by Prime going uphill, only to get pinned and wait to pass again, only to get passed by Prime on the next hill. It's a '07 D60 engine with the EGR system. Need I say more?

 

That is what happens when you are soooo cheap on your rates that you need to spec the truck for fuel economy instead of being able to do the job. I can cruise faster than our walking beam trucks all day long but the can pass me on a hill. They all have dual range rears that start at 4.11 on the high side while I am stuck at 3.90s

 

I35 has hills? Never noticed.

 

My truck goes to at least 85 and that's where the speedo ends which is handy once in a while for those that "think" they have a fast truck but I really prefer to stay in the right lane and go slooooow , it makes those 1.18 a mile LP drivers feel better and keeps morale up ...I even slow down for them so they really blow my doors off adding to their erection lol..I give em the lights and call em good buddy too.

 

I take mine to the governor and leave it there. If you need 5 miles to pass, get it over with. Sometimes I will back off and let you by rather than risk a side to side wreck.

With that said, someone did mentioned sleeping. That tends to be a little bit slower most of the time and when they wake up it will be back to speed. There have been times Ive fell asleep following the red light on the trailer ahead of me and the fuel tank on the rig to my left both of which already knew I was in dream land sleeping against the driver's window. When I woke up the whole rig would do a jerk to one side as I thought there was going to be a problem then the radio says you alright there/ Next stop is at exit so and so hop off and hit the sleeper. Then they tell me how far Ive been sleeping sometimes.

That was in the bad old days where if you are not somewhere on time as a single, you essentially don't have a job with them anymore. To this day there are certain hard coded basic reflexes inside of me that will kick in automatically depending on the unfolding situation around me even in a car. I do not encourage or condone it now. It's worse than driving drunk.

As far as speeds, some of the problem can be attributed to split speed limits for cars and trucks. Also aggravated by two lane roads. Even 4 lane interstate roads with trucks restricted to the right two lanes have this problem. If I find I have a bigger hammer and a bottomless gear to back it up I would hop left and pass the problem risking the 500 dollar or 1000. Just have to get caught first. Nyah. Just not around DC where the cameras are capable of issuing fines via mail. Heck, I don't even go to DC anymore I bypass it running in the nice set of quiet woods on US15 while everyone else fight one another there.

There was a heady time in my past where dollar trucks was normal and you got used to crossing Pennsylvania in a few hours instead of half a day. There were certain grades that simply does not exist or pose a problem with some of these truly powerful rigs. Milesburg Hill on 80, you can hit it at the bottom around 124 or so, 5 miles later upgrade falling below 80 and still slightly over the speed limit over the top 8 miles later ready to get back above 130 on the next ridge down. Those days are gone forever.

We used Michelin rubber on all tire positions with those trucks. Never lost one. To this day I consider them for my cars and trucks as well. If you must have a hard rule about tires, never buy a retread. Or used. You will totally regret the retread when it peels off like a bomb and slams 60 pounds of shrapnel and alligator through some minivan windshield taking out the entire family.

 

I. NOTICE. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

 

I find the constant cycle of way to slow/ speed up is a tired driver. Many that sit 5-10mph below the limit but constant are probably riding out their trucks sweet spot for a fuel bonus. Me, I sit on 70 almost everywhere. I'm governed at 72.

 

When I bypassed governors on company prostar, and could go 92, Id be so scared when i slowed down and exhaled id look down and see 59 mph on the dash thusly killing all the time gains i just made Id end up at my drop at exaclty the same time (within 5 to 10 minutes)...
So, math dictated it wasnt worth risking life, for no gain...LOL