What is the attraction with peterbilts

What it boils down to is pulling a bull wagon(possum belly double deck live stock trailer) is like pulling a parachute. What ever you put in front of it its still a parachute. I understand the aero dynamic concept, but I don't like the feel of it. I have seen guys spend 15000 to get an extra 2.5 mpg, and achieve there goal. On paper they can see that in 6 months that money is recovered so after that the rest is less operating cost per week which equals more profit. In reality when the smoke clears it doesn't help as much as the paper said it would. but the goal was met. Why can I not tell it and that 15000 has hurt being gone. Its called reality. I understand the big flat hood concept being the large problem. I can tell the difference in an empty stock trailer and my flat with more weight on yes its the drag. But I have heard double cost micro blue bearings get better mpg. I'm sure they are smoother and the paper says but if the oem are adjusted proper you will never see difference at pump. I was told my flat mirrors and 6 inch stacks cause wind drag I'm sure it can be proven they do. But if I pull them will I see difference at the pump. Most don't compare apples to apples. Very few take care of there rig like I do.

a big hood catches more drag yes we get it. Yes for the most part in an aero you are so comfortable and never have to move your head in the least to check mirrors and what not. Yes we get it that they drive so good, and get so much better millage. I have a good friend his trailer is just like mine. Pulls it with a freightliner I cant remember if its a cascadia or columbia with a DD15. It is huge inside and really nice. Fully loaded He will be 2500 lbs lighter than me. He claims 6.5mpg. I claim 5.8.MPG. Our fuel tanks are same size, If I hang back and run with him we have to get fuel the same time usually 20 to 40 bucks a day difference. If I run my way I will spend about 250.00 a week more on fuel than him. But I will gross roughly 2000.00 more than him. Yes I run a few more miles but lets think about profit.

Back to the super comfort, I like it but its called work right. Also if you are having to "drive" one and notice a good bump here and there. You are more alert. IMO all the super comfort may cause the increased falling asleep at the wheel pattern. I'm not saying my ol rag is better than an aero I'm not saying that aero trucks are junk. I am saying that there are pros and cons to both. Its my money why do you care how I spend it. Doesn't make me stupid cause I want a Pete just to have one. Money is only paper and the lust for it is the root of all evil. I do understand the fact that A guy may want a nice ski boat, but to buy one he needs cheaper cost to buy truck that saves 20.00 a day in fuel doesn't make him stupid just means he wants a boat more.

 

Well, if you had hung back running behind your buddy, he did all the work for you, and you just drafted him.

In truth, it's a big-picture thing. I'm most concerned with ergonomics and drivability, which the new trucks hand you quite well, and do it efficiently. I'd be willing to bet you could drive longer and farther if you were being beaten to death by that rock tumbler you drive. I know that, switching from one bus to another (hush about that!! No flaming!) that's older and rougher, I end up more exhausted at the end of the day. When the steering is pulling one way or another, or I'm fighting bump-steer, I end up more tired.

The biggest thing that contributes to drivers falling asleep at the wheel is lack of sleep, which is usually caused by either the driver being a fool and staying up too late playing games, or by the company by assigning runs that don't allow for decent sleep, or disrupt sleep patterns, like variable-shift work that doesn't give the person time to adjust to the new shift--this happens in retail ALOT and leads to all sorts of problems.

Aero is very important for other reasons as well, stability and control being two of them. That 40 ton truck can go airborne given the right set of circumstances. And did you know most of your drag isn't the frontal area of your tractor and van (partially negated by the overall length of the van)?? It's the underbody of your tractor and trailer--or, more precisely, the lack thereof. Putting a flat bottom alone would help immensely; making the nose, cab, sleeper more slippery, and join closer to the van would help even more. The side skirts on vans help some, the spats on the back even more; but more needs to be done.

 

You missed the point when I say hung back I merely meant run with him. I always have the front door. If I don't stay with him and run my way I get an extra load usually that week. So with him drafting Me I burn 20 to 40 bucks a day more fuel.

With me just doing things normal and running harder getting 500 or so miles more a week which more than buys the difference in fuel. it cost about 325.00 dollars for the 500 miles more than him I run by working harder and smarter I up my gross by 1750.00. deduct the 325 from 1750 thats 1425.00 difference. I realize he could work like I do but from the days I stay with him the numbers are not significant. Another words 200.00 a week tops closer to 150 is what the difference is on our fuel if we stay together and me out front. He is convinced the extra trip isn't worth it. I realize the underneath is where the drag is that is why I specified it is a pott. The difference in pay or even getting a flat deck cow trailer loaded is insane. I used to cut the floor out of my hot rod pickup beds at 16 for that reason. yes silly but fast. I realize your points but they are not practical in the real world. Its a by the ton and mile world.

Thing is we are too far apart to agree. Knock this ol pete all you want you'll not change my mind. You said falling asleep is caused by fatigue I agree. The gamers are not gonna quit gaming, companies are not gonna quit pushing etc. so your tired where you most likely to fall asleep? Comfort is where. Because it makes me a little more tired means when my hours are up I'm ready to wuit any way. Rock bucket far from it one hand is what you need. But you do have to move around more to get line of sight.

Again you are into the aerodynamics and the savings and its interesting. But I am into old peterbilts and making a living like they did 30 years ago to prove it can be done. Am I a criminal for it?

Spending more to save less is not the answer. The technology is coming but its not there.

 

Well, you could do up a custom body on that thing and save even more long-term money... But you're right: you're an old-schooler, and your numbers work out for you, which is great for you. The rest of the world and the rest of the industry, however, is saddled with speed restrictions and fuel-consumption restrictions that the rest of us have to follow to make a living. More power to you for not having to toe the line we have to.

 

I have drove pretty much every brand i love driving long nose pete just didn't like baking in dock couple of blind spots. Drove folio didn't like shift pattern and my knees were against dash. Drove a couple freightliners both broke down on me lastly ended up with 387 Pete I LOVED MY TRK plenty of room and out of year and half clutch was only thing broke on it when i do become o/o a 387 is what i tend to buy

 

Sorry luxpromethius, i don't agree they're are plenty of us drivers that don't like all this modern garbage they're giving us to drive. Yes i have a new t660 kw. But i still have a w900l, and a 1993, 379 pete. I get more pleasure out of driving them old trucks than i do driving that new kw. I have no speed restriction and make enough on my rates to afford my thirsty fuel guzzling trucks. It's not all about the money you can't take it with you so might as well enjoy it. Nothing like a big yellow motor with 8" straight pipes pulling a mountain workin hard. Now that my friend is a symphony! Tiring what h*** is tiring about driving a trk?. All the modern conviences it's easy to knock out 700 mi.

 

I rarely get involved in these==but I gotta say--LUX you have obviously NEVER driven a real hood--so--while your aero concept on fuel etc--MAY be correct--PLEASE do not spew anything about handling ride etc--There is no class 8 Vehicle that ride anything like my 379--it HOLDS the road BETTER than anything out there--it corners(at speed)better--deals with variations in road surfaces better--and the ONLY wind an aero possibly handles better is a head wind(and thats very debatable)--so while everyone runnin cross WY--or west Tx(pick the place)w/a 40=knot crosswind--is holdin on for dear life--wonderin ifn they are gonna get blown over--Im still drivin with 2 fingers on my left hand--and reaching for my coffee cup with the right.........

 

I drive a Century/FLD120 condo and I will agree with you, truck feels like a Giant Sail

 

Can't stand the long nose trucks personally. Ugly, no turning radius, no room, big and bulky.
I like the new sleek look of all the new trucks coming out. I'll take a new aero truck over a brick with tires any day.

 

I talked with an owner who was running several PDI tuned 6NZ Cats in Long nose Petes and they were running around 7.2 mpg average.

I drove both a T2000 and my 379, the 379 is more stable in the wind, the mileage between the tow was the same, the biggest thing with milage is your right foot.