MPG in the Real World

I would suggest booking the load with delivery time that one can run at a slower pace and keep a lot more of their money. I base ALL of my deliveries, after loading, on a simple 50 mph formula, including breaks. That way, slow traffic, DOT checks, etc have limited effect and I can run the 58-62 mph that my truck seems to like to get maximum fuel economy and is a nice balance between economy and time management. Then the 11 hours is a non issue and the extra savings in fuel makes up for several loads. 1 mpg better fuel mileage in a year is approximately $10,000 in fuel savings. Now, how many loads would you have to pull to NET that $10,000. And be fair.... you have to factor in the additional wear on equipment and tires, additional IFTA miles needing filed, everything that it would take to haul those extra loads. Then, how many more loads would it take, running faster, to NET the same $10,000 that you saved by running slower? As a plus in booking the run times the way I do, I am almost always early and the customer is pleased. And I didn't have to run with my hair on fire to do it. Last three fuelings? 7.8, 7.7, 7.9 pump to pump calculated.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with pulling more loads and making more money. But if one is not KEEPING more money, then what is it really worth?

 

The problem with booking loads at least right now is brokers seem to think 500 miles is right next door lol but I will try a few things cut back to the 58-62 mph. 6.5 is good for an 07 Columbia 515 with 3:58 in it for right now

 

Cowpie may I ask what you drive truck wise and kinda frieght?

 

Carhauler i am avg"n 4 to 5 mpg on a good day and those trucks that cant at least run the speed limit should be ticketed.
You get 3-4 of those together running in a pack they backup the highway for miles I thought running a convoy was illegal? so if there all in a pack Give um all tickets!
and 500 miles is doable in a day? even at speed limit you can make 600 in a day.

 

I plan 500. That is what the annual average works out to over the entire year.

 

Just my opinion, but if you're running above the speed limit and aren't making efforts to get good fuel economy, you shouldn't complain about the price of fuel. Haven't read any of that in this thread, but its extremely common.

 

100% agree the min speed limit is 45 mph , if you can not maintain that as a avg , write them all a ticket.

 

Dry box. Load weights vary up to max of 46,000 in the box, sometimes even that limit gets exceeded. Most of the heavy stuff in the 40,000 to 44,000 lb range. Quite a bit of heavy, bulk ag commodities (mostly rolled oats, lifestock feed, popcorn, dried eggs, and honey), coil steel, and metal castings. Some light stuff thrown in the mix here and there (most of that is BD medical), but also some other light products. Truck is a 2013 FL Columbia glider with 500 hp pre-egr Series 60 in it with 18 speed behind it. Riding on Michelin XDN2 wide based rubber. Bully Dog ported/coated exhaust manifold with a Borg Warner 171702 turbo (with a blanket) tied on and exhaust running out twin Walker Megaflow stacks up the back. Oiled foam Fleet Air Filter on the intake.

 

'07 387 C13 ACERT, 6.26 avg since mid December, worst tank: 5.69, best: 7.16. Hauling a reefer, almost always 78-80K. Best tank came with a tailwind and a very rare light load and a tailwind which has also been VERY rare this winter.

Last tank was 6.10 hauling 78k+ from Indianapolis to Charlotte to Crossville, TN.

And almost driving 62.

 

I agree the min speed limit of 40 or 45 mph needs to be maintained or give them a ticket and on the other hand these left lane cowboys that like to tailgate others in big hurry need their CDL taken away for life.