New International A26 12.4L Engine

In my other thread I talk a lot about the A26. Recently, I’ve had 3 fills back to back, each 1100 miles or so, 10% DH, lower weights around 65k with a short leg of about 55k, back and forth between NY, NJ, PA, to MO and WI, 9.44, 9.86, and 9.88.

 

That stamped weight, if correct seems a little high, even with the APU. Was the APU factory installed?

 

No. 16720 is pretty light. A Peterbilt 579, Mack Anthem, Volvo 740 are all much heavier than mine. The only truck that can beat it, by a small margin, is the Cascadia.

 

I drove for Groendyke and we had some mid roof T680's with door stamps of 15,875 or something like that. I've seen the mid roof T680's advertised online showing door stamps of 16,090. Kind of makes me think the door stamp is BS. I drove a Cascadia mid roof with DD13 and DT12, with super singles and fixed 5th wheel, but has a pump on it. I weighed it low on fuel, without me in it at 16,800.
I would think your truck is lighter than what the stamp say it is, maybe not. Weight is money. I really like what you're doing and it's going to make even more money as fuel prices rise to $3.00+

 

I post a lot in the 9+ mpg group on Facebook regarding the A26. But, for the year in 2020, 124k miles, 13% deadhead, average weight 71-72k, along and East of 29 and along and North of 40, primarily Midwest to Northeast and New England and back, was 9.11 mpg. I’ve got a hair under 409k miles on it and the only real repair I’ve had was the EGR valve due to failed actuator, the valve itself still looked new. I’ve been very happy with it.

 

Does your truck tell you the lifetime average MPG?

 

It does. It says 8.9x right now. The dash is not accurate though. I’ve had 7 quarters in a row of 9 mpg or higher.

 

That would have to add up to a ton of money over the course of a year.
Are there other truck/engine combinations that you think you could do this well with ?

 

I’m always open to try things. Since I bought the LT everyone has updated their engines and even the trucks themselves. The new Paccar has some hardware and fuel system changes, the Gen5 DD15 has lots of updates, the X15 has been much improved since released, Volvo/Mack have enhanced the TC engine. I’m working on some things with International. I don’t know if they’ll do it or not. The trucks I buy next to replace my two used ones, I want the BEST spec Incan possibly get.

 

Curious on your thoughts on buying a new truck. I'm driving a 21' Freightliner Cascadia company truck with the updated/down sped DD15, DT12 and 2.28 rears right now. HP is set at 400 and torque at 1625. It's only got 37K miles on it now so still far from broken in, but still not doing as well on mileage as my previous 2019 Cascadia with the same specs except it had a 2.47 rear gears. The current truck is starting to do better on mileage and does pull hills better than the older truck, even with the higher gear. I would set a new one up with 450/500 HP and 1750/1850 torque and 2.28 rear instead of the 2.16. I run in the west and the 2.16 would be a little high for running in CA with the 55 speed limit. I'm looking to go owner operator and looking at buying a new truck. I have been interested in the International with the A26, but haven't seen much info on them in real world use, other than yours, and don't see that many on the road in line haul applications. Was just curious about your thoughts on how they stack up against the Cascadia and the setup I'm currently running. Do they have enough power/torque to run OTR with good mileage? Would you go with an automatic vs. the manual next time or a different manual transmission? Also curious what will change with TRATON/VW being over International going forward. I'm thinking they will go more in-house powertrain like the other manufacturers have done and less with Cummins. I have heard rumors about a A38 engine that would more directly compete with the current engines of the other brands. You are about the only one I have found with any actual experience and knowledgeable reviews of the International and the A26 I have found. Thanks for any insight you might have.