need a well experienced driver to answer this

Freightshaker will must likely be the lightest which would help your mpg. However I don't care what Freightliner or anyone else tells you 9.5-1o mpg is not realistic. I don't think a one-eyed old woman driving down hill to church on Sundays could reach 9.5-10 mpg. There are some very good deals on used trucks right now but be patient, look over any prospective trucks carefully and wait for what YOU want. Don't settle for one based on price, manufacturer or model. Always remember, YOU are the one who will have to live with it and more importantly, have to pay for it.

 

Flat = wind resistance and heavy
Reefer = always heavy

Physics is just that... choose a truck that has smooth curves and has skirts.
APU to eliminate idle time will not only save you about $40 to $50 a day in fuel, but will reduce your maint on your engine and tranny dramatically.

 

That's correct. Since you're buying used, look at Melton Truck Lines website for their used trucks for sale. Their trucks are specd' for flatbed and have APU's
.

 

9.5mpg is realistic if you're not hammering down. I drove from rawlins wy to york ne 9.5mpg with an average speed of 58.3. In a 2013 pete 587 cummins isx 13spd. Every mph over 55 you lose .01mpg.

 

The model he was talking about, has in real world testing avg about 10 mpg , running cross country . Loaded with 40k. Some of us are in the 9's already. Melissa valley is a good example of fuel mileage. Like that company or not their fuel bill is smaller than their competitors. It is possible when specked right to get those numbers. That speck will not be right for every task.

 

You're losing money driving that slow.

That being said...USX Cascadias with 425 HP Cummins get around 8-8.5. running 65.

 

my truck is an old melton truck, KWt660, i have no problems with it, ive had a little over year had just under 300k when i got it and paid around 38,000.
dont alwasy get great mpg, but due a lot of heavy haul and OS.

 

No you're not. I have a friend who is an O/O at FedEx Custom Critical. He runs a 2009 ProStar he bought used. He keeps his speed around 59-60 and is getting about 9-10 mpg, sometimes less depending on weight. He runs his hours, does it at that slower speed and makes MORE money because he's not putting all of it in the tank.

 

I am new at this, but I would say brand of truck really does not matter!! What counts is your engine,transmission and rear end. This needs to match the kind of load you are going to haul and what part of the country you are going to haul it in. I am not saying I am real smart, but I did gradated the sixth grade!