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MPG and Idling....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gamecock Taylor, Aug 17, 2020.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Aug 17, 2020 #1
    Gamecock Taylor

    Gamecock Taylor Bobtail Member

    46
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    Dec 16, 2019
    0
    I've been a driver at Schneider going on two years come February and I am dealing with something that I feel is impossible to accomplish but I felt the need to just post it here for feedback.

    Currently I have a New Cascadia and it's been mine since September of last year, it doesn't have an APU due to me being on a dedicated account. The bunk HVAC doesn't provide relief while the truck is turned off and eventually turns off after an hour or so but the bunk heater does work fortunately. Since I've had the truck my MPG has been above standard around 7.8 with heavy loads and a roughly 50-60% loaded ratio running NC/SC mostly with the occasional load to GA/TN/VA/WV until about April.

    Since the temperature has risen in the South I've obviously had to idle the truck and here's where my problem lies... I've had a lot of days where I end my day around 5 or 6pm and have to sit at a store all day until 8am for it to open and it's killing my MPG(7.1) and I have explained to my DBL a million times there is nothing I can do when I am just sitting here idling for 12-16 hours due to how they plan me and I refuse to burn up for anybody... There was one week I drove 60mph empty + loaded and still ended up with 7.3mpg due idling.

    I've explained this crap multiple times but my "DBL" doesn't know anything about trucking and says that I don't know how to operate my truck correctly (which pissed me off) and only wants me to refer to an OSR (Schneider Trainer guy) who is just going to give me the same pro company response as always. I've talked to my dad who's also been a truck driver for 33 years and he doesn't understand how they expect for me to reach my MPG goals

    I'm waiting on my 2 year mark to leave and I'm trying my best to just ride it out until then but they're making it really hard and it's pissing me off.

    So, with all that being said am I wrong or right and what could I possibly do to improve this so they can leave my ### alone... All answers are appreciated in advance.
     
    Gamecock Taylor, Aug 17, 2020
    Gamecock Taylor, Aug 17, 2020
    #1
    Dave_in_AZ and alds Thank this.
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  3. Aug 17, 2020 #2
    Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

    750
    1,131
    Jun 8, 2018
    0
    There's nothing you can do unless you are willing to sweat it out. Idling for hours will kill your MPG.
    My brother started his career with Schneider 20 + years ago and left after his 2 year anniversary. At the time he had a wife and 2 young kids at home and he needed every dollar he could scrape together. He told me horror stories about how he needed that MPG bonus and could not idle. There were may days it was above 100 degrees outside and even hotter in his truck. I see not much has changed after 20 + years.
    He has been with ABF for years and runs regional. They put him up in a hotel if he is out overnight.
     
    Atlaw4u, Aug 17, 2020
    Atlaw4u, Aug 17, 2020
    #2
    Truckermania, Gamecock Taylor and alds Thank this.
  4. Aug 17, 2020 #3
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    7,688
    7,779
    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
    0
    If Im uncomfortable I idle the tractor, I don't know how much time there giving you to deliver, but you could slow down, but your going to have to take your 10 sometime, If its hot or cold I am running the tractor.
     
    Powder Joints, Aug 17, 2020
    Powder Joints, Aug 17, 2020
    #3
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  5. Aug 17, 2020 #4
    bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,300
    6,064
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    Idle time destroys mpg. The engine uses about a gallon an hour at idle This is why so many companies install an apu, because an apu burns something like a pint or a quart an hour. Your DM is an idiot, but I am sure you already know that.
     
    bad-luck, Aug 17, 2020
    bad-luck, Aug 17, 2020
    #4
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  7. Aug 17, 2020 #5
    650cat425

    650cat425 Road Train Member

    1,548
    11,043
    Jan 26, 2020
    Pennsyltucky
    0
    I understand your dilemma, but I can't, in my wildest dreams, imagine complaining about getting 'only' 7mpg. :eek:
     
    650cat425, Aug 17, 2020
    650cat425, Aug 17, 2020
    #5
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  8. Aug 17, 2020 #6
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,737
    12,187
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
    0
    A DD-15 is going to idle almost a gallon an hour for fuel. (9/10ths).

    2 years experience? Start looking around for other jobs.
     
    skellr, Aug 17, 2020
    skellr, Aug 17, 2020
    #6
    firemedic2816, WildTiger1990, Gamecock Taylor and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Aug 17, 2020 #7
    D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

    21,740
    148,581
    Apr 26, 2013
    Gettin' down westbound
    0
    Some of us would be grateful for over 7mpg . U have almost 2 years exp . Lots of better gigs out there if u dont wanna run for the pumpkin anymore
     
    D.Tibbitt, Aug 17, 2020
    D.Tibbitt, Aug 17, 2020
    #7
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  10. Aug 17, 2020 #8
    Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

    3,778
    9,860
    Apr 29, 2020
    0
    Tell your DBL to leave the air conditioning off in his apartment before he comes to work in the morning. Go home after work, don't turn on the air conditioner or the lights, eat a can of spaghetti O's cold, OUT OF THE CAN, get a good night's sleep in his hot dark apartment, and call you in the morning. This seems to be a recurring theme with some of these power tripping a hole dispatchers. What the hell is up with that. I have never had the problem myself, but, evidently it happens frequently!
     
    Dockbumper, Aug 17, 2020
    Dockbumper, Aug 17, 2020
    #8
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  11. Aug 17, 2020 #9
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,737
    12,187
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
    0
    Don't go home on the weekend either. Just sit in the car over the weekend until it's time to back to work on Monday. :D
     
    skellr, Aug 17, 2020
    skellr, Aug 17, 2020
    #9
    650cat425, Gamecock Taylor, D.Tibbitt and 1 other person Thank this.
  12. Aug 17, 2020 #10
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

    3,393
    5,385
    Jun 11, 2011
    st malo mb canada
    0
    Get them to change park smart batteries
     
    magoo68, Aug 17, 2020
    magoo68, Aug 17, 2020
    #10
    tommymonza Thanks this.
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