For all you pros out there, 1) How can you make sure that your speedometer is accurate? 2) Best gear to be in while driving up/down mountains. 3) Maximum time to stay at a truck stop to maximize mileage. 4) What all do companies pay for such as fuel, oil if needed, tolls or anything else needed for truck while being a company driver. Just curious for the most part to find out some more about the industry.
I'll try to answer. Question #1 time your speedometer with the mile markers. Drive at 60mph and it should take you a minute to get to the next mile marker. It's not dead on accurate but close enough to tell if you have a problem. Also check to see if you have a hub odometer. #2 it all depends on the grade. Go up as fast as you can ( not over the speed limit) and go slow down the grade. When you're first starting out stay around 30mph going down the grade and learn from an experience driver on how to use your brakes. Have the instructor take you out and show you. That's what I believe they should do anyway. #3 Stay as long as you need to be legal then get back on the road. The object is not to speed from one truck stop to another but to manage your time so you don't waste any. #4 If you're a company driver then the company should pay for all those things. Just be sure to keep the receipts and a copy if you can. Good luck.
1. A GPS is a good way to tell. My speedometer reads about 1-2 mph off according to my GPS. If you dont have a GPS but have an Android phone, download a GPS speedometer. 2. Depends on your weight. 3. Do you mean taking into consideration idle time? I try to stay no more than my 10 hr break if possible. 4. The company should reimburse you or pay for any operating costs, like tolls, scales, oil, etc.
Thanks guys for the responses. Just tryin to get some questions out there so that I am better armed once I hit the road. Appreciate the input!!
And the grade. #1 Most are fairly accurate but will be off by 1-2 MPH in either direction, except when tire wear is at exactly the right point. With new tires the speedo will likely show a bit slow, and with very little tread depth left it will likely show a bit high. I track it with my GPS. It does have a couple second lag time, though.
#3 is all about trip planning, you will know when you gotta pickup and deliver, and by planning where you will stop and how many miles you gotta run that day, if you like to get up early and hit go for it... if your tired and need to sleep alittle more that is what to do
Yup. like my current load. Didn't pick up until very late afternoon. I could run 2 all-nighters and finish the last 5 hours the final evening, or I could cut short that first night and run mainly during the day and finish the run at about the same time. First of all, I don't like running at night because these Volvo headlights are so bad that I have to over-drive my visability. So, night driving is always more of a strain. Second, I always get ragged on for my high idle times. Sleeping at night is cheaper on fuel. I don't think that you meant 'time of day' when you asked about 'Maximum time to stay at a truck stop to maximize mileage' - but when asking about 'maximizing truck stop time to maximize fuel mileage' one must also consider the time of day that one will be staying the longest at the truck stop. My next monthly review will reflect these last couple weeks, because I have had to run mainly at night and sleep during the day. The daytime temps have been in the 90's, so I've had to idle constantly to keep the cab cool enough.
So what is the legal maximum time you can run your truck in a 24 hr period and how many days in a row can you run?
