There is money to be made with 9+ mpg trucks

I agree with you there

Ethan

 

We bought 5 of their 2010s. Lots of mechanical problems when these trucks start to haul loads that are 40,000 lbs Plus. The fuel drops off really fast over 65 MPH and over 20000 lbs in the box. They run the south, but in the Winter up north. 6 MPG is almost imposable. I have been getting 7 with mine lately, but I only get 8 when it is running the flat lands and I am light.

 

Most of these company trucks/drivers are best suited for 62 MPH. It is the most efficient way for the company to maximize profit potential per unit. Unfortunately (obviously) the drivers overall income suffers. Unless the company is willing to share the OVERALL profit from fuel savings, the driver will not earn as much as he could with a 75 MPH truck.
Rising fuel prices will dictate that O/O will have to slow down to obtain the same profit per mile as when fuel was cheaper. In 2008 ($4 fuel) I spent few minutes calculating the savings of 63 mph (@7.4 MPG) Vs 74 MPH (@6MPG). 9 MPH x 11 hours means you travel 100 miles further in one day. @ $2 per mile and the current $4 per gallon you spend $372 and earn $1386 going 63MPH. You spend $540 and earn $1628 going 74MPH. You gross $242 more going 74 but spend $168 more to do it...
For a grand total of $74 more per day profit going 74MPH than saving fuel @63 MPH.
Does MVT give its drivers $37 dollars per day extra pay for making them drive 63 MPH?
So company drivers, guess who earns more by you earning less?

 

Sorry, forgot to include one thing...
Overall average MPH while keeping engine parameters the same while TOP mph is more, AVERAGE mph will be less than top because the truck will be capable of staying at max speed up hills when governed to 63 mph. It will not be as likely to maintain top mph potential if going 74 mph with the same horsepower.

 

What is their average length of haul? Mine is close to 450 miles a day. Does not pay me any extra to speed although schedules somestimes make it a necessity. A team company truck might benefit from faster speeds but most solo's won't.

 

This makes sense.

There are however times when running undulating roads where you get better mpg by running faster.
You have enough momentum to top the small hill's before the speed drags down to the point where you have to down shift.
Going slower has the result of having to down shift before the crest then
up again just after cresting.

 

Have to disagree with you there.


It's the also by staying out of truckstops and using easy access rest areas when possible as well as minimizing the number of stops you make in a day.

That has been the best way I know to get the most miles.

Get it in the big hole and set the cruise and let it run.

It reduces the number of time you accelerate and decelerate which are mileage killers in themselves.

 

I think better wording then "disagree with you" would have been "I have to add".

If I am wrong then why say "It's also" as this indicates agreement rather then disagreement.