Fuel mileage...

Pulled a load with a fleet spec Columbia, 430/9speed top 2/3:48. Fueled in Sioux Falls and ran straight into the wind. Used 3/4 tanks of fuel by Rapid City. Dispatch started bellyaching about the fuel and told me to drive slower. The best I could muster was 45 mph. Any slower and I would have to get off the big road. This was with a legal load. Stepdeck with a high cube container. Having HP isn't always about being the king of the hill. The wind will slow an OSOW even downhill.

when I bought my truck, I did my homework. Knew exactly what I was looking for to be successful in OSOW. 625hp/18/3:70s. With light, low profile loads, she won't get the economy that others get. But I have only pulled 6 legal loads in the last half year. Last year I was almost always 93000 or better.

 

Fuel milage and heavy haul go together like eating a big meal and bowel movements. One is necessary for the other but you NEVER have both at the same time.
We need good fuel milage to make a profit, but we also get paid more because we haul stuff that causes poor fuel milage.

 

My 2012 day cab with the 500ISX gets about 5.5-5.75 empty pulling a 3 axle RGN 20,500 Empty.
My 2013 Tri-axle sleeper with the 600ISX gets about 4.75-5 empty pulling a 4 axle RGN 25,000 empty.

Pulling the 100-110K loads, getting about 4 even. Gotta love having to figure a buck a mile just for fuel

Edit-Neither trucks are governed but the day cab cuts out at 78 and the sleeper at 73

 

Too many factors to even think about aiming for an accurate MPG.
I can be 100k lbs and one day get 4.5, the next get 5.5. Wind, hills, etc etc etc
OD loads shouldn't be governed by MPG, as it will never happen compared to legal flatbed loads etc.
My 2 axle RGN puts me at 35,500 MT, 3 axle stretch RGN puts me at 45,250MT. How can that be fairly compared to a 28-30k lb empty weight on a flatbed?

Martin

 

Since every swingin' dick in the country has bought an RGN there's usually no real money in heavy haul any more until you get up to 8 axle freight. A truck pulling regular everyday skateboard or stepdeck freight that gets 6mpg will get 4 with 8 axles. In a 100,000 mile year that's an additional $37,000 expense in fuel alone.

 

Yup you said it. Thats why i had to up my fleet to 8 axles and 173 gross in NY. The rates even up here for 50-60K lb loads are ridiculous. Now i can't touch anything under 85, its almost not worth it.

 

Markvfl don't hold back. Tell us how you really fell.haha