GOVERNED AT 65 mph

I'm sure I must misunderstand, but which truck driving principle covers "getting out of the way" at highway speeds...?

 

2 63 mph trucks runnin side by side in a 70 mph zone

 

The difference between 63 and 68 means I drive on average 50 miles more per day. Working 200 days a year that is 10,000 miles a year. At a $1.50 per mile that is $15,000 more for the same amount of time the 63 mph truck is on the road.

I know that is crude math as it doesn't always work like that in the real world. But if you are only talking about tenths of a mile per gallon then the higher speed is definitely better on the bottom line.

 

Your math is flawed. If you run a gps that tracks your speed your average moving speed will normally be 50-55. Unless you have no stops at all- no fueling, no deliveries, no loading, no washouts etc.

 

Not necessarily. We all have to fuel, load, and take breaks. But when you hit the road and set the cruise I will go appx. 5 miles further per hour that someone going 63. Many times I have left the yard and jumped on the interstate and 3 hours later I was 200 miles from the yard.

Every situation is different, as we all haul different things on different kinds of roads, but if you do alot of big road driving is can make a difference.

 

Some of it is also in youre truck set up. slowing does help though. I have a 475 C 15 18spd 3.25 rears. I average 7.2mpg going between 65-70mph. Could i do better at 60? Yes. In the hills heavy i drop to 6.1 but only if i run close to 70mph, if i dont the rpm's are too low and the truck will dog. up the hills and i drop to 5.7mpg. On flat ground heavy im back in the 7's.

 

It doesn't work that way as I am sure you know. You get paid for when you deliver....doesn't matter if you get there at 5 pm or 7 pm. Still getting unloaded the next AM in many cases.

Also, in the northeast where I run, you may as well spit into the wind as try to run 70. You are always fighting the next guy ahead of you. You're lucky to average 60. May as well target 62 and average 58 and save $20,000 a year in fuel.

Another funny thing to consider. I don't know why, but around here the guys that are always in a hurry to leave sooner and drive faster are always the same ones that didn't do a post trip the night before, the same ones that are stuck at the scale or on the side with a blown tire. The same ones that didn't take the time to plot their route in the GPS the night before and do a Google street view on "the last mile".....same ones getting lost. I usually beat them to the delivery anyway. I get a kick out of that.

 

That last mile is a #####! Haha I've always said it's the last 5 miles that makes you a real truck driver. Anyone can keep it between the lines for 1500 miles on a wide open interstate. It's making that delivery/pick up that makes or breaks a lot of guys.

 

Just to be clear, I am not an advocate of castrated trucks but I still think it's safer to drive slower....regardless of where it;s governed. Mine is not governed but I rarely get over 62. With that said, I will not hesitate to govern one of my trucks if the driver is being an idot.

 

Back off and get him on the next hill. Unlikely that both trucks have the same HP, rear gear and gross weight. I only have 370 HP on the pedal and 10.9 L but I have a 400 on cruise and a 4.33 rear gear. Get a run, set cruise, down shift, resume cruise....

If ya can't pass him on the uphill then just be content to drop back and follow. If you wanted to be first you should have left the day before c'mon.