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Money-saving tricks

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Red Fox, Oct 5, 2009.

  1. Oct 5, 2009 #1
    Red Fox

    Red Fox Road Train Member

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    Jan 26, 2009
    Acworth, Ga.
    0
    I thot it best to put it here, where it won't get bogged down with the usual food-related tips from company drivers.
    My entry tricks:
    Windshield wipers. You eat them like candy, but dont have to. When the passenger side is getting a bit streaky, put a new wiper on your side, keeping the mate until the passenger side actually needs replacing. (you put the driver side over on the passenger side) This way you rotate in new and old out one at a time instead of replacing two. Steering tires come to mind here.

    The new carpenter's air hoses are about 3/8", and a 100' coil takes up as much room as a hubcap - put a gladhand on one end and an air chuck on the other. Carry a plug kit so you don't live on the side of the road very long. Also an air spray gun for cleaning the cab in a hurry, blowing out parts and such.
    If you own your trailer, a little creative plumbing could route trailer air to the inside of the bulkhead where this hose could plug in to blow out the wagon instead of sweeping.
     
    Red Fox, Oct 5, 2009
    Red Fox, Oct 5, 2009
    #1
    kickin chicken, Gears and bamanation Thank this.
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  3. Oct 6, 2009 #2
    RW.

    RW. Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 18, 2009
    west central IL
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    I think this is a great idea for a thread, except what might be a "trick" for someone could be standard operating procedure for someone else. I don't have any great ones, but I'll throw out a couple:

    When I'm greasing and a tube goes empty, there's usually a bit of grease left in it, but the gun won't pump it out. I just throw the tube in a box and save the empties to grease the 5th wheel with. Usually 2 or 3 empties will grease one.

    I just run 3 batteries in my truck, they start it just fine and save that much weight and expense. I realize that might not be suitable for someone who spends much time in a sleeper. Maybe a lot of folks just run 3, I don't know, the trucks we have bought always come with 4, and we run 3 at the first battery replacement.

    Surely there's a lot more tips with all the knowledge that there is here.
     
    RW., Oct 6, 2009
    RW., Oct 6, 2009
    #2
  4. Oct 6, 2009 #3
    Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Nov 25, 2008
    Kellogg, IA
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    For those with a Cummins EGR ('03 - '06), disable the EGR by unplugging it. Should gain .5 to 1 full mpg. Best thing I ever did. No tools, No parts, and 30 seconds of my time. Not bad to get a hefty increase in my net. Had the engine in for warranty work at Cummins and they couldn't care less that I did this. They knew it all along, they are just not allowed to tell anyone about it.
     
    Cowpie1, Oct 6, 2009
    Cowpie1, Oct 6, 2009
    #3
  5. Oct 10, 2009 #4
    miconn

    miconn Light Load Member

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    41
    Jul 29, 2009
    Mobile,AL
    0
    Ok, Now can you disable the EGR on an '04 14 liter Detroit? If so, what is involved? ( I hate mine, shoulda bought a 12.7........
     
    miconn, Oct 10, 2009
    miconn, Oct 10, 2009
    #4
  7. Oct 10, 2009 #5
    bamanation

    bamanation Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2009
    Muscle Shoals ,AL
    0
    How is this done. Im not fimiliar with where it is on a cummins, a picture would be great.
     
    bamanation, Oct 10, 2009
    bamanation, Oct 10, 2009
    #5
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