Trailer Difference - Fuel mileage

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012.

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  1. May 10, 2012 #1
    Big Rigger wife

    Big Rigger wife Bobtail Member

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    Hubs is driving the following truck spec
    Freightliner Century Condo
    10 speed
    3.55

    He has been pulling a Step Deck lately with 3 axles on trailer
    He has seen a decrease in fuel mileage of 1/2 mpg to 3/4 mpg
    Is this normal? he did say at one point that he lost 1.0 at one point

    I know the truck he has is a Van truck but is it normal to see that kind of drop in fuel mileage due to just a trailer swap ? He said something about drag on truck cause the truck is a Condo doing a Mid truck job .

    Thought I'd throw this out there .. He was loaded 32,500 on the Step Deck
     
    Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012
    Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012
    #1
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  3. May 10, 2012 #2
    Big Rigger wife

    Big Rigger wife Bobtail Member

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    Normally he pulls van but did a favor to pull some of this other Step Deck Stuff just didn't know if it's worth it if it's a normal decrease that high
     
    Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012
    Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012
    #2
  4. May 10, 2012 #3
    last 1

    last 1 Medium Load Member

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    It could be the load aerodynamics or just the simple fact that its a 3 axle trailer with bad rolling resistance tires
     
    last 1, May 10, 2012
    last 1, May 10, 2012
    #3
  5. May 10, 2012 #4
    HDFatboy

    HDFatboy Light Load Member

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    There's also more rolling resistance with the 3rd trailer axle. He should be getting paid more for step deck work than van so if it's not worth the mpg difference he isn't charging enough.
     
    HDFatboy, May 10, 2012
    HDFatboy, May 10, 2012
    #4
    Big Rigger wife Thanks this.
  7. May 10, 2012 #5
    Big Rigger wife

    Big Rigger wife Bobtail Member

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    Thanks

    But with the truck he has is it a normal drop of at least 1/2 with a condo
    Truck ?

    Reason I ask is what you stated .. Is he charging enough

    Thanks again
     
    Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012
    Big Rigger wife, May 10, 2012
    #5
  8. May 10, 2012 #6
    last 1

    last 1 Medium Load Member

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    Step and flat loads very so much its hard to say what the drop is going to be from one to the other. Some loads he will see a improvement. I would say a good part of the loss is the extra drag from that 3ed axle on the ground
     
    last 1, May 10, 2012
    last 1, May 10, 2012
    #6
    Big Rigger wife Thanks this.
  9. May 11, 2012 #7
    skateboardman

    skateboardman Road Train Member

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    it is the third axle, when i lift my front axle on my spread axle flat, i pick up 1/2 to 3/4 mpg. i lift it when empty or loadd with less than 20,000 pounds
     
    skateboardman, May 11, 2012
    skateboardman, May 11, 2012
    #7
  10. May 11, 2012 #8
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    Part of it is mechanical drag, i.e. friction, and part of it is increased turbulence, aerodynamic drag.

    I don't know anyone who pulls both closed tandems and spreads, I do, but not the same type of trailer, and the trailers I pull that are drop deck spreads, are always hard pulling. I pulled one once without the modules on it, and it still pulled hard for an empty trailer, but I would say there is less turbulence with the closed tandem just from watching the dust patterns along graveled shoulders while following other trucks.

    The shape of the load on the deck has a big factor in it, too.


    If he hasn't pulled a lot of loads to tell, the only things that change much is the load.

    They pay mileage and fuel adjustment to our outside carriers, and some refuse to pull the step deck loads making the same per mile rate.
     
    25(2)+2, May 11, 2012
    25(2)+2, May 11, 2012
    #8
  11. May 11, 2012 #9
    blanco

    blanco Road Train Member

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    How do you do the lift? We have ours with a axle switch, but dont want to mess anything up. Do u chain it to the under chasis or strap it. Pics would be nice if u can.

    Ive seen the auto axle lift, but extra $$ and extra weight.
     
    blanco, May 11, 2012
    blanco, May 11, 2012
    #9
  12. May 11, 2012 #10
    fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    You can do it with a 4" ratchet strap with a mechanical dump valve, but if its a step, do you really want to get on the ground that much? Hendricksons lift is fairly cheap and light with excellent ROI, but you have to have a Hendrickson suspension on the trailer.
     
    fortycalglock, May 11, 2012
    fortycalglock, May 11, 2012
    #10
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