Fueling strategies to lower fuel costs

I think you might have to tell us which company he is with. I'm thinking either prime or trans am. Some of these companies are known for getting rookies to sign up for their lease and no matter how hard you try you won't win. Some even won't let you be a company driver after you have done lease, and please please say he's not with England. I'm not sure but from recent post. It seems like the trainer is doing all they can to talk the newbies into leasing. I think they probably get a big bonus if they do. Truly its the wrong time to be playing weight games with fuel this time of the year. You never know when a station has run out do to problems related to weather.

I think you guys could do better being a company driver at a company who offer's good insurance. That lease scam will make him regret ever getting a licence this can be a rewarding career if you get with the right company, and that may take awhile, and from your knowledge of what you have already learned. I'd hate to see you guys leave the industry because of a sour lease purchase deal. I would be planning an exit strategy from the company unless he is bound to a contract, and even then trying to get out of that lease, but they may jack him around if he does go company. So hope you guys choose wisely. This is also the slow season for the next couple of months. Miles are usually down. I'm not sure if he's in truck and you at home, but he will have to keep those wheels rolling so he doesn't go into a big hole. If you are in the truck with him. You probably don't mind much. I'm a company driver and I've been out for a month and don't plan on getting home for time off for another month. Just knowing what I have to do to keep the money flowing without any delays in trying to get home. I fortunately live on a good running lane that I can get through the house if asked, but only for a 10 hr break or so. Most of the guys who make the lease work are the guys who train other drivers, or teams. Solo guys really have to bust their tail to make it work, but you can only do so much with the lemons you are given. Most places are appointment only like Walmart. Some of the mom and pop places may take the product if they have room, but most of the time they just don't have room. Also he can see about doing relays and getting loads that have too much time on them off of him and dropped at a yard or given to another driver.

 

Yes it's a 2012 Coronado. It was custom built honoring John Christner for his companies 25th anniversary 2 years ago. I took it off of his hands last year. If you google John Christner 25th anniversary truck you will find some his res photos done by miller photography for an ad campaign we did.

 

As a review of tips for better fuel economy
.www.OverdriveOnline.com/Smart-Driving-6 article entitled More Miles, Fewer Gallons
.www.OverdriveOnline.com/Smart-Driving-22 article entitled 11 Ways to Save

 

I completely disagree with that philosophy. You're gonna burn fuel no matter what. It makes much more sense to burn $3.75 fuel than $4.00 fuel. Always buy as much of the cheapest fuel you can. Don't worry about trying to maximize your profit on that load. Concentrate on a longer cycle, say 2 weeks, or better yet, one month.

If you buy 200 gallons of fuel but only needed 50, so what? Now you have 3/4 to 7/8 of a tank of fuel to start off your next load. You cannot run a successful business trying to skimp week to week. Look at your business on a monthly basis. Low profitability on some loads will balance out with the higher profitability of others.
If your goal is to bring home, say $4000 per month (I'm just using a simple number for my example), don't worry if you bring home $200 one week because you bought more fuel than was necessary for that trip. You'll have a higher net with the next trip because you won't buy as much fuel.

Your goal is $4000/month, not $1000/week. As long as you hit your monthly goal, it doesn't matter if it was with $500, $1500, $300, & $1700 weeks or any other combination.

 

Buy as much of the cheapest fuel, in the most expensive States, as you can.

Breaking even or even getting a refund on your ifta, is like an added paycheck in your pocket.

 

With literally 100's of companies out there, there are that many different packages. Some companies pay full surcharge all miles loaded and empty, some a partial or none on deadhead. Some offer a fair rate regardless of the length of haul. Some companies have drop yards so you can get out from underneath a load with too much time. Some pay for extras such as scales, tolls, prepass, etc., some don't. The list goes on and on. One of the biggest things to look at (IMO) is whether they pay fuel tax or not. If they do, capitalize on cheap fuel whenever possible.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no "perfect" company out there. But, there are definitely some better than others. You have to make a decision based upon your needs. Is running locally or regional a must or a nicety? Is frequent home time an issue? It all boils down to making smart business decisions that will ultimately help your bottom line.

 

make your rig as light as possible....
if you have 2 100 gal fuel tanks....only fill both 1/2 ways....fuel is 8 pounds per gal.....[
haul light loads when possible.....QUOTE=cpieren;3757728]My husband recently started driving long haul, and he's doing a lease program. We are looking at ways to manage fuel costs other than the obvious watch your speed, maintain tire pressure etc. I was just wondering if most people fill their fuel tanks completely each time they fuel or just fill enough fuel to make it in between cheapest fuel stations (with some cushion of course). What are some of your fueling strategies to keep fuel costs down?[/QUOTE]