What is your MPG?

I wrote a big long explanation here first...then deleted it...Some parts of it might get some of the new guys mixed up...some things that work in this division may not work out so good in others.

The key to it all is this, and its quite simple...

The biggest change that has taken place is in me...I decided to try...I mean really apply myself and work at it.

 

Tightening up that loose nut behind the wheel will solve many an issue, LOL. Speaking from both sides of the spanner here if you know what I mean, wink wink.

 

Sundays beep 7.56 hope to keep it above 7.5 to get that 3 cents. Come on tail winds and long dead heads.

 

Sunday beep 051913: T: 7.025, H: 7.463. 4 fuelings this week: 7.27, 7.98, 7.87, 7.94

 

Sunday beep:

Tariff miles = 19,007 (6.194 mpg)
Hub miles = 19,948 (6.500 mpg)
OOR = 4.95 %

 

Mine always looks screwy because I'm always in the middle of a long haul on Sunday lol.

Tariff Miles: 12,798 (5.737 MPG)
Hub Miles: 15,777 (7.073 MPG)
OOR Miles: 2,979 (23.277%)

Of course, 1,600 of those OOR miles are part of the run I'm on now that doesn't deliver until tomorrow lol.

 

Ahhh what the hell...here is most of my original post.....but as you read this....

BEAR IN MIND...I'm in the specialized division, hauling oversize and overweight loads...and what you see here may not work for you and your division....Sewerman, Sarge, and Jim are proven performers in flatbed...I'm just getting started on this hunt for MPG's on this division.

Yes, the new (2013) truck made a difference...but a few other things changed too.

Our loads got smaller on average due to us losing one of our accounts...this helped a lot (no more grain carts).

I changed the way I load stuff on the trailer...very long story about aerodynamics.

I started using fuel additive...Howes Meaner Power Cleaner (summer blend)...I tried every brand Maverick gave approval for...Howes worked best.

I do NOT idle, except to charge the batteries a little once in a while (like now, 3 day weekend in the truck)...not even at -40 degrees in North Dakota, use additive (HOWES, winter blend) and run the Park Smart.

I slowed down...at least when its possible...our loads come one right after the other..."hurry up and wait" is not how it is on this account....its usually just "hurry up"...very little waiting to load/unload because we often do it ourselves...I simply drive as fast as the load, the weather, the road conditions, and the law will allow...all the while, trying to stay above 6 mpg...some loads I can run 65 mph and get over 6mpg, others its 4 mpg at 57 mph....and sometimes its just "GO" so I can get there without running out of time.

All in all...its just a big juggling act..trying to find the balance between miles, mpg, and time...

Its a constant struggle...neverending and always changing...especially the wind.

 

I don't claim to be highly experienced, but when hauling oversize and overweight loads, I would think that getting over 6 would be an accomplishment. Most of those loads aren't anywhere near aerodynamic, and wind from any direction would probably kill you on MPG. But of course you know Maverick gets a premium for loads like that, I'm sure they factor in extra fuel costs.

Being fully loaded and driving against the wind, I've seen mine dip to 4.5 before in high wind, and this truck is as aerodynamic as you can make it pulling a van trailer. So I think shooting for a goal of 6 with oversize/overweight sounds like a good plan.

 

I run in the mountains out west and average around 70,000 - 80,000# gross. If I'm going up and down I-5, I get mid 7's and if I'm in the mountains, I usually get mid 6's.