Running with JCT, Part Deux

The key is in the word used - "surcharge," not "discount."

 

Just a quick thought on fuel milelage....I am currently averaging 7.2mpg with 43.5k in the box. Traveling along I-40 from Cali to OK. My speed has been a consisant 63mph. Now, if I slowed to 55; it would go up to around 8mpg. I just can't bring myself to drive that slow. Not even in Cali.

My question is Kani is how fast are you driving? At 63mph I still average 2800-3000 miles a week. This week will be right at 4000 miles.

 

I started out driving for fuel mileage. I was driving 58 to 62 mph coming from Sapulpa to Phoenix. I was getting about 6.8 mpg. I splashed some fuel in New Mexico and started driving at 68. My mileage actually went up to 7.5 until I hit the mountain areas where it dropped back down to 6.9. I'm in a 2013 t660 Kenworth. I'll be hitting Cali where I'll definitely be going 55 to 58 so I'll see how that affects my mileage.

Hopefully I can see something near your numbers on mileage Macho. Now that I understand the surcharge thing, I can see that there is money to be made if the miles are right. Now that winter is approaching, idling should be less of a problem and hopefully I can upgrade to a truck with an APU and an inverter in 3 months.

 

I'm going to say this again. The slower you drive, the less fuel you will use. The less fuel you use, the more money you will make.

Too many drivers concern themselves with "miles per week." That is NOT important. What is, is the PROFIT PER MILE. You can easily make more money turning in 2200 - 2500 than you can trying to turn in 3000 - 3300 miles per week.

Concentrate on your fuel economy. Slow down! Never let the load dictate how fast you drive or better yet, how you manage YOUR business. You are not an employee of JCT, nor do you work for them. You are an independent business contacted to JCT. You provide a freight hauling service for them. Manage YOUR business and maximize profits.

If the argument is that if you don't run faster, you won't delivery......So what? Let them relay the load or reschedule. If they relay, you'll still keep rolling somewhere else.

 

From what I have been told, the KWs kinda of suck on fuel mileage. But, I have no personal experience in the KW.

 

kW, Pete, Mack etc. they aren't made for fuel mileage.
Freightliner, Volvo, some international are much better for attaining fuel mileage.

 

I agree with you Steel. Even though I run 63, I still get passed by other JC drivers. But that is their choice. I am good with running 63 and I choose to do so.

I tried 55-57 for about a two months and felt more like i was a hazard.

I believe that each person should do what they are comfortable with.

 

Also, if Kani's mpg did go up by going faster, then that could be a sign of a leak in the charge air cooler. Had that several times on KR radio show.

 

This is a definite factor. I was in a 60 mph truck on that road in Texas that has the 80 mph speed limit. Of course, the cars were not going that "slow," so I was probably 30-40 mph slower than they were. I was a definite traffic hazard, but I was big! Fortunately, too, my travel was during daylight; night time would have increased the risk of a rearend collision significantly.

And I never saw one police unit. Not one.

 

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with the statement that driving 55 m.p.h.is a hazard. That is a simple cop out and an excuse to drive faster. It's one of those trucker myths not unlike "once you shave, your hair will grow back thicker," or "cracking knuckles causes arthritis," or my favorite, "masturbating will make you go blind." They're simply not true.

I like to call the drivers I mentor that spout out this line "Sammy Hagar Wannabees." "I can't drive 55." It's more like you don't want to drive 55. Maybe you don't like being passed by everyone. Maybe it's a pride thing about being passed by the "slow companies"out there. I don't know, but what I do know for a fact is that those other people DO NOT PAY YOUR BILLS!"

So long as you are driving the posted minimum speed for any designated road, you are within the safe limits of diving speed. Don't drive your business into the ground or short yourself profits to compensate for other people driving recklessly.

Regardless of how fast you drive, 4 wheelers are gonna go faster. Turn your lights on, day or night. Make sure they work. Signal properly. Check your mirrors often. Basically, do what a professional driver is supposed to do and you'll be fine. You have size and visibility on your side. Better yet, you have the law on your side.