Governed trucks at Schneider

Here is what I find interesting about this. As a company driver I would agree with you with a faster truck you could make more money. I pay for my fuel and I run 55 mph and I get right around 8 mpg doing it. I can run 2500 miles and make more at the end of the week than somebody making the same rate running 70 mph who gets 6 mpg and runs 3000 miles. If I owned a trucking company and had company drivers driving them they would be governed no faster than 55 mph.

 

Its my opinion that if your running slower than 65 in a 70 or 75 mph speed limit, you are a rolling hazard.

 

Nice to know the sweet spot is at 55 tho.

If ever I can shed enough BMI, I would like to return to the road with schneider. Probably have to go OTR as they have no work for anyone this far north in Maine

 

Haha! Or you could pay enough to hire good drivers who wouldn't need a baby sitter. My trucks all have speed limiters......all set at 127mph and for some odd reason no one has had a speeding ticket in at least 6 years and I'm still making good money.

 

Not so fast partner, lol pun. Lets crunch some numbers.


Operator A runs 55 mph and averages 2500 miles.

Operator B runs 70 mph and averages 3000 miles.


Say both of them work for Brokeazz Brokers who pays both of them $2/mile for their loads.


Operator A grossed $5000 while Operator B grossed $6000. Right now it looks like Operator B came out on top, but there is the fuel cost. So lets calculate.


Operator A averages 8 mpg and burned 312.5 gallons @ 55 mph to run 2500 miles.

Operator B burned averages 6 mpg and 500 gallons @ 70 mph to run 3000 miles.


So lets say both payed an average of $3.859/gallon for fuel.


Operator A paid out $1205.94 for fuel that week while Operator B paid out $1929.50 in fuel, so roughly $724 more than Operator A. So lets see who NETTED more.

After fuel costs, Operator A netted $3794.06 after fuel costs and Operator B took home $4070.50. So despite using more fuel, Operator B still made almost $300 more than Operator A.


So lets throw a curve ball. Big bad ### Operator C comes in with his long nose Pete and runs 75 mph, gets 5 mpg but averages 3500 miles a week.


Operator C grosses $7000 a week, uses 700 gallons of fuel to run 3500 miles and spends $2701.30 in fuel. He winds up netting $4298.70 after fuel costs.


Interesting......

 

Definitely an eye opener...

 

Yet also to be taken into consideration, is wether operator C maintained the 75. C could have been doing 55 in many places because of slow traffic. Was it a double nickle state? How many times has operator C been reported to safety by 4 wheelers for excessive speed?

It may not work for you, but for the 25k some odd miles driven, I had no problem delivering loads at a slower pace and saving truck and fuel. Yes some drivers like to try to break the sound barrier. Yet I am not one of them. I would rather enjoy the trip there, and not feel burned out from trying to maintain excessive speed because of a lead foot.

 

Well, keep in mind we arent talking averages for 55, 70, and 75, just the top speeds they run where legal.

Lets say Operator C runs between Phoenix, AZ and San Antonio, TX. That's 75+ mph roads most of the way. Nearly all the way in a few months when large stretches of 70 mph interstate in Texas get bumped to 75.

I guess the point is that there is no set formula. Run your truck the way it works best for you, whether that's at 55 mph or 75 mph. It's not a one size fits all deal.