Running with JCT, Part Deux

Since slowing down to 57mph, I am on track to bring home (net) another $1700 pay check. And that is on 750 miles less than last week.

I think I will stick with my rental agreement with JCT and continue what I am doing. Are there O/O making more? Yep. Are there company OTR drivers making more? Probably not.

But, I never had any illusions of making the "true" O/O money. I did expect to make more than company driver though and I doing that.

 

Macho, I'm drooling over your settlement numbers. It costs me about 1000 dollars in fuel for a 1500 mile run...at 55 mph. I tried 68 but my mpg dropped to 5.3. Granted, I was hauling 44000 from casa grande to Washington and I couldn't't get a break from those nonstop uphill mpg killers going through Nevada. Right now 7 mpg seems like a dream number. Realistically getting about 5.5 average.

I'm preplanned from here to tulsa and hopefully I can catch a break on weight or route or both.

 

Wow a lot happened over the weekend. Hope everyone is and was safe during that cold snowy ice filled day. Nothing like taking almost 2 hours to go across OKC to Hinton, OK. Time to beat this dog on thru TX and into NM and if I'm lucky maybe AZ. Everyone be careful and safe out there.

 

I did not know a simple question would cause such controversy. I have to say I appreciate all that i have learned not only from steel but from all the people on this board. we should all work to do what is best for each of us. we take every bit of information that everyone gives us and make the best decision for ourselves.

 

I am lucky to have a good truck. It is one of the lowest mileage 12's in the fleet with 387k (got it with 291k) on the odometer. No one wanted this truck when I went through orientation back in March because it would not start. I ran the apu for half an hour and it cranked right on over. Overall, it has be a problem free truck. Had some issues with the DEF/DPF system, but that has been worked out.

I know those up hill pulls hurt mpg on a truck with the mechanical working like it should. I can't imagine having an avg of 5.5mpg. You sure the mechanical of the truck is running like it should or do have to idle at night?

That's what like about having an apu. Don't have to idle the truck for a/c. And as far as heat, well, I set the bunk heater to keep the inside of the truck from freezing. Burns less fuel that way. It's still chilly in the truck, so, I have to blankets that I cover up with and I sleep pretty good.

Since I am running mostly nights due to running recaps, I am usually parked during the day while the wind is at its worst and usually calms down about the time I am ready to roll. So, I am not having to fight the wind.

I love driving at night, so I don't restarts on the road unless I am sick, I am broken down, stuck at shipper or receiver. I will run my recaps til I am at the house and do my restart there with my family. It also keeps me from spending extra money on the road because I am always moving.

 

The one good thing about this deal, even at these ridiculously low mpgs, I'm still on track to make 900 or so for the week. Not pie in the sky numbers but just goes to show that the lease deal here isn't all that bad, especially after hearing the lease fear mongers that are everywhere.

 

Hopefully you searching for the cheapest fuel you can get and not just using the JCT network. Ma and Pop truck stops are sometimes 20-30 ¢ cheaper than the major chains.

Of course, if there are no trucks there getting fuel, might be another reason it is so cheap.

 

Those tiny places will get you in trouble. They don't have the fuel turnover like the big places so you are more liable to get bad fuel.

 

I searched and serched for my next trip cant find it less then 3.77 a gallon all the way. Makes me sad o well it all averages out cause i found it for 3.35 on my way up. Guess elections are over so up up up the price for fuel will go lol