Realistic Fuel and Mechanical expectations?

I'm sure this topic has also been beat to death,.. and I did do a search. But I'm trying to get detailed info and what I found in other posts was bias'd and not exactly what I was looking for. I'd like to make a spreadsheet to evaluate. Hopefully when the time comes I can make a better educated decision based on other drivers experience,.. not just my own.

In approx 10 - 12 months from now I am moving on to my next and final stepping stone for ownership and thats getting my own truck and authority. I have the legalities and sole proprietorship end of it covered. I've also already made a few business contacts and have things set in motion for a dedicated income that will at least get me started so I dont go broke in my first 90 days.

I'm going to make another thread in the 'Experienced' drivers section regarding this same topic. How ever,.. I hope to get detailed fuel and mechanical statistics from company driver. So if if you are a company driver please dont post your info here. I have another thread for you in the other section.

I'm asking O/O's only here. Company drivers please look in 'Experienced Drivers' to add your input there. Thanks guys.

1: Full specs of your tractor. Year make model and mileage. Please include Engine, trans and rear gear ratio.
If on your 2nd/3rd engine (Inframe etc), how many miles before you reached that point and how many since then?

2: What type of trailer are you pulling?

3: How is your average loaded weight?

4: What is your overall average MPG?

5: What lane/s do you mainly run?
(This is for me to get an idea of which geographic location to stay in if I can financially work the logistics out)

6: What speed do you typically cruise at?

7: How would you spec your next truck?

8: How reliable is your current rig?
(Any mechanical/electrical issues that are really bugging you. Anything you wished you had spec'd a little differently?)

This is for Reefer owners out there. I plan to run reefer.
9: I'm pretty much set on either a Utility or Great Dane (Carrier or Thermo King),.. my question is how new of a unit should I look for? How many hours on the unit would you say is too many and I should look at something else? Any compliancy issues I should be aware of? I'd like to be able to run in and out of Cali and the North East as well,.. particularly when the seasons hit.

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I'm currently still a company driver, but this is the info I am looking for.

2008 KW T660, 72" Studio sleeper, Clean Power APU.
C15 ACERT CAT @ 475hp, 18 spd, 3.25 gear ratio, 19,200lbs curb weight.
509551 miles with 10,260 hrs. Average overall MPG is 6.27

I pull 53' Reefer.

I am typically loaded with 41k - 44k in the box. This will put me anywhere from 78k to 80+k gross weight. I have twin 150 gal tanks, I always have to fuel after I get loaded so I know how much fuel I can carry. With 44k in the box I can only fuel up to 5/8 - 3/4 tank. Still plenty for me to travel on.

I run I80 coast to coast. Stockton Cali area to New England area and back are my main lanes.
Depending on the season and how loads get dispatched, I will head up into Washington state or go down to Bakersfield Cali and then head east. Chelsae Market is a typical destination point.

I typically cruise at 65 - 67 mph depending on the terrain. Sometimes need a little extra oomph to get up the hills when grossed out.

How would I spec my next truck?

Well thats what I am here to ask you guys. I am biased and love my T660. This truck is fully spec'd. Has all the bells and whistles. Maybe one with the 86" Studio sleeper and a different APU that can handle a little more would probably be my only upgrades. The bunk heater only has 2 settings,.. On or Off. So even when its 20f outside,.. it will get like a steam room in here in less than 5 mins when its on. Wish it had a thermostat.

Reliability? This motor has had some issues.
ARD head went out at 376k (Covered under warranty)
Broke a rocker and Jake dropped a valve at 398k 1 piston and new head had to be ordered. (Covered under warranty)
Bearings in top turbo went out at 433k (Covered under warranty)
Alternator quit working at 451k, killed the batteries with it. (Not covered by warranty - $1600,.. Special Alt for the Clean Power, Alt alone was $1000 at cost)
ARD head went out again at 477k (Covered by warranty)
Right now I am dealing with a cold leak from the tube above the EGR cooler. Its in a location that is under the turbos and nearly impossible to get at with out removing something. Managed to tighten the hose clamp a little bit and seems to have stopped the cold drip. But only a matter of time before it comes back.
Up to 509k and so far so good. Besides a problematic tag light on the tractor that keeps blowing bulbs,.. no electrical issues to report.

Thanks guys.
Drive safe,...

Hurst

 

Great info.
I'm leaning toward the Cummins over the CAT myself. We have a couple other T660 with the ISX Cummins, one is 525 the other is at 475, probably detuned. Both are 13 spd trucks. I've driven the 525hp truck and compared to mine the throttle response is instantaneous. Mine seems to have a slight half second hesitation. Not sure is thats a CAT trait or what. Turbo lag due to being 2 of them in a compound configuration. Not sure. The Cummins also had a slightly stronger jake than mine. Mine is good,.. but the other truck held stronger in the upper gears where this one I will have to slow down and down shift more unless I want to keep stabbing the brake the whole way down. The other thing was where this truck will go beyond limp mode and shut off all together when ever the DPF/ARD head have issues. Worst case scenario with the ISX is that it goes into limp mode when the EGR craps out. Dont have to pay for a costly tow,.. can still make a delivery or limp it to get serviced.

I drove an older Volvo yrs ago that had the smaller 11L 60 Series Detroit. Pulled a 7 car trailer with it and averaged 7 - 8 mpg with it. That truck was plagued with electrical gremlins. Mechanically the Detroit was sound,.. but had absolutely no balls, especially with the 10 spd. Also didnt have a jake,.. but this was in Fla, so it wasnt that critical. Only hauled local,.. no OTR.

Are the king pins something that all trucks have issues with or are some more prone to it than others? For example,.. this truck is starting to eat the front right tire where its cupping on the outside edge. I am religious about checking and filling my air pressure on a daily basis. I have one rim on the rear of the tractor that has a slow leak coming from the valve stem. Owner hasnt fixed it in over 7 months now that I keep reporting it. It loses 5lbs of air every 24 hrs. So while I have the hose out, I check and fill the others as needed everyday. Its becoming my pre-trip routine. I have almost 80k miles on my steers, tread is still good with more than 75%. Just that one thats cupping on the edge. Wondering if a king pin would cause that with just over 500k miles?

Whats your opinion on mileage for a truck? With a proper maintenance record, what should I look for? I'm not looking to buy a new truck,.. but I do have a 647 credit score and shouldnt have too much trouble financing anything I want. Reason I am waiting 10 - 12 more months is that I want to have at least $30k cash saved up before I go it alone. I want to have enough to cover me until I get an income stream coming in.

Thank you.

 

The $30k I almost have is strictly to cover start up costs, Tags, IFTA, BOC-3, DBA, Permits and registrations needed to get my authority. Then to have enough liquid capitol so I can immediately pay off fuel cards and cover any maintenance needed or break downs that may occur that are not covered under warranty, if I get a warranty at all.

The initial tractor and trailer purchases will have no bearing on my liquid capitol at all. They will be 100% financed from the onset. This will be a make it or break me operation. I will use my home equity to raise additional capitol if needed. I know another guy who started with much less than I am and 2 yrs later he is already purchasing his second truck and putting a driver in it. He is a ruthless prick,.. but I think that is why he has succeeded so far.

This is where my goals are heading. I have followed through with everything needed to reach my goals so far. I've come too far to quit now. I thoroughly enjoy what I do. Just dont like the fact that my efforts are lining someone elses pockets. I guess greed and providing a better life for my family are what motivate me. If in the end it was all for nothing,.. then at least I will have the knowledge that I gave it my best shot. But I dont want to spend my ending days with regret that I never tried.

Thanks,

Hurst