Governed Speed???

Most of the highways I travel on are 65. My truck is governed at 63. It's really not that big of a problem. The states where it is 75, usually states out west, the traffic is usually so sparse on those highways that a slow truck is really not that much of a problem.

As times get harder, I'm running into more and more owner operators who aren't governed, running 55-60 mph voluntarily, trying to save fuel. For them, it's a matter of survival, so I don't blame them.

 

True a lot of drivers do not pay attention and very well could end up rear ending your truck but believe me companies are not reducing their truck speed because they like to stick it to the driver(not saying you said that of course) but as others have said on here, it's a matter of survival. Sure I would like to have the speed to go out in western states but due to economy, this is a harsh reality we all have to face.

I'm lucky, my truck is governed at 68 and even with heavy loads(40 thousand +) I'm getting good fuel mileage. I average between 6.5 and 7.3

 

I have a 65-mph truck in a company that issues company trucks at 62 these days. Got it before the fuel crunch, and haven't given them a reason to turn me down.

I'm rarely under 70k GVW, and usually above 77k GVW. I do a lot of northeast, which means mountains. I'm in a 2007 Freightshaker, and I average above 7 mpg regularily - its about 7.3 of late. I either get 6.75 mpg week-over-week, or I can go drive for one of the total crap companies. That's what its all about - fuel economy, and being the last man standing.

There's been a ton of trucking companies go out of business in the last year - thousands during the first quarter this year. There are 10's of thousands of trucks idled. Why? Not enough expensive freight to keep them running. And this includes OLD companies that have been around since the beginning of motorized trucking - long enough to know how to minimize costs. If you're going to be among the crowd that's still standing at the end of this, you take a big bite out of the crap sandwich rates, and minimize your costs. That means fuel.

I read drivers whining about how come they can't do warp 9, and I get comments about what the speed limit is on the CB too. Tough. You can't get good fuel economy with a heavy load, and high speed. Its one or the other - or pay at the pump. That's just the way it is... doesn't matter whether you drive a Shaker, a Pete, KW or Prostar. It boils down to physics. It is easier in the new trucks. I have to work at it. If you're reading this thinking I'm a schmuck for driving slow... keep on laughing. Because in my opinion, you'll be joining the JEVIC drivers. The Velocity Express drivers. And the YRC bunch that's going to be out on the streets soon. The economic mess isn't over, and if you haven't learned how to drive your truck in an economic manner and get your freight to the receiver on time by this point, you're screwed. Because you don't just crank the cruise control down to 55 and pencil-whip the funny papers. There's a heck of a lot more to it, and its about YOUR driving technique. Its about time management.

So when you come up fast on a slow truck on the interstate remember one thing. There is a minimum speed limit as well as a maximum. I'm not doing the max because of physics, and what my boss wants out of my truck. His bottom line is $$$$. My bottom line is continued employment. And if you can't deal with that, you shouldn't be on the road. Rear-end me when I'm doing what I'm supposed to, and I have some news for you. I'll hire an attorney, investigate YOUR past, and sue you for everything you have.

Oh yeah, one other thing. The next time you biotch about the price of your groceries, remember this: If you want ME to hammer down - YOU'RE going to eventually pay for it. Enjoy your Ramen noodles.

 

If you're pulling for a company that has cut the trucks back they have figured your load to get there on time legally (okay close to legal). It's called time management and keeping the left door closed.

You must be on the West side of the Mississippi because the east side majority of the interstates are 65 mph or under for trucks.

There are a lot of slow trucks out here and the majority get their load where they need to be on time.

I'm not a slow truck, I'm the one that everyone cusses when I go by....

 

I don't cuss ya man! I do put my four-ways on when I get good 'n slow, and give a flash or a shout-out when you're a good truck length in front of me. I'll only cuss ya if you're one of those wheel-holders who dang near ram me, or try to take my left fender out with their DOT bumper!

Be Safe!

 

My truck runs 75 mph. I can run 20mph over the limit and that's still too slow for some people.