Getting the Best Fuel Mileage - New Truck or Older Truck?
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2018
- With profit margins so thin, getting the best fuel mileage possible is very important.
Most of the new trucks (when they are operating properly), get incredible fuel mileage.
But at what cost?
Dave talks about factors that affect fuel mileage, such as speed, vehicle aerodynamics, trailer type, pay load, weather etc.
However, there's also the factor to consider when considering a new truck purchase, is at what cost will the newer vehicle get better fuel mileage than one of the older engines and truck configurations?
It's a difficult decision not to be taken lightly by the truck owner.
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. CAT 3406E. Classic 98. @ 64 mph 6-6.2 mpg Average.
@ 62MPH 6.7 MPH.
@ 67MPH 5.4-5.6 mpg.
Change air filters as needed.
Tire pressure @ TirePass every 10 days.
Overhead once every year.
At average speed of 64 mph never missed an appointment.
I got 10 MPG driving only and exclusively bobtail 👍
Inescapable logic. The trucking industry newbies should be very thankful for the advice you give for it is sound and wise!
Thanks! Dave
640hp (to the ground), 7.6mpg....I love my glider and my 6NZ.
I find myself revisiting your videos throughout my career. From trainee,to company driver and O-O you've given me sound advice.
I followed a truck through the hills in PA 8in stacks passing everything . with a flAtbed load of lumber nice see the good old boys are still out there rolling
Hey Dave. I appreciate all your videos. You're a great teacher! Also, keep up with the closing stories as well. Cool stuff!
Thanks Samuel! Dave
Amen Brother! I'm with you 100%. Running a good old 99 model, "mighty fine 379" Pete.
550 cat, 18 speed, 355 gears. This big iron never wears out if you treat it right! It will give you what you ask for. Fuel mileage with the little fuel squeezes if you drive for it. Or make time with the best if you ask them too. A Peterbilt comes with a check in the glove box. Take care of it. Keep it well maintained and you can damned near get back what you gave for it! I love my truck!! Enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work.
I’ve had success with the big engine, low rpm gears. 525 hp Cummins, 18 speed, going 65 mph at 1250-1300 rpm. Does it without a sweat. I never go above 1400 rpm, even on hills, and I’m passing trucks at 80k lbs. 7-8 mpg. Seems to work! Regardless though the two biggest things to save money on fuel is first find the cheap fuel. Spend time looking for it. Second is don’t idle your truck, at all, it just wastes money. Get an apu if you want to be comfortable.
Hello from New Zealand! Your videos are fantastic, great knowledge and good stories too. Thank you
Thanks for watching Morgan!
Thanks for sharing your invaluable knowledge.
I myself I drive a 2017 Freightliner Evolution. It has the DD15 Detroit
515 HP right
1950 Ft Lbs of tourqe.
13 speed standard
3.55 rears
LP 22.5 on Alcoa
Full aerodynamic package
It is speced for an O/O
It's only missing disc breaks and onboard scale.
Governed at 75mph from factory.
I received the truck with 107 miles on it in match of 2017.
I now have 100,012 on it as of today. 02/09/18.
Trailer 2006 Utility Reefer 3000 R
No skirts or any other aerodynamic features.
I keep the trailer tight to my tractor.
LP 22.5 on steel
My usual frieght lanes are I-90, I-80, I-70 C2C
Hauling apples out, usually frozen goods to Salt Lake, and Portland, then back to washington.
I have had as high as 8.4 mpg for a week.
It was a local run from Seattle to Portland back to Seattle.
No idle when I took my 10
Conditions where as follows
Early summer
Very little wind
Dry roads
60 mph set with cruise
When not in city and traffic allowed for it.
My worst fuel milage on a trip from Pittsburgh, Pa to Portland, Or.
43,000 lbs of Chocolate.
Late fall
Dry conditions
Wyoming had several cross winds with gusts up to 45mph
Kansas severe head wind from one end of the state to the other. Steady 20-25mph
Gusts up to 50.mph
Due to head wind. I could not achieve a higher speed them 55mph
By the time made it to Colorado my I was rocking 4mpg from Colorado to Portland running 60-65mph
I came out with a final of 5.5
Now as far as the lifetime.
Company goal 6.5
My fuel is 6.4 mpg
And that's been with running actual speed limits if not close. Never going over 70mph unless to pass or get away from traffic on the road.
So I can kick back and ride with as little lane change as possible.
I primarily use #2 Diesal.
Lucky for me I proved to the owners that #1 Diesal I actually improve the overall mpg and it was enough of a difference that it would justify the extra cost. I'm the only one in a fleet of 25 that has a O/O speced Frieghtliner the only one that has a standard transmission.
I may be a company driver. But I was taught the old school way of trucking.
I was aslo taught to treat the equipment as if it is my own.
I have always worked small company. This fleet of 25 is the largest. So that is the story of the MPG on my 2017 Frieghtliner Evolution.
Dead-Dog-Rising D. Sanchez oh man, i would not do PA to OR on the I70, specifically because of Colorado. I80 is much flatter and more straight, though like kansas, wind is your biggest issue in the open plains. Especially during tornado season.
Excellent story! Yes those high cross winds can kill your fuel mileage but truly, your numbers are excellent! Keep up the good work! Dave
Dead-Dog-Rising D. Sanchez if you’re hauling heavy weight, that spec is fine. If you’re not, the 455/1650 DD15 with 3.25 or 3.36 gearing will get much better fuel mileage.
Your videos are so helpful. Thanks !!!🙏🏾
Great information 👍 loved the story about Mt St. Helen's!
Thank you! Dave
I started just recently driving 64 mph, I doubt it will get me a raise... Its funny that my boss cares about fuel cost and where I get it but he don't care about air filters...
Some guys are funny, or they just don't understand how a truck engine works! Dave
Men I’m 25 and learning so much from you keep it up
Thanks, will do!
Your videos help so much great info
I had a 1999 Century with Detroit 60 Series. Running 13 speed with 3.73 gears and 24.5 tall tire. My average was 7.4 mpg at 68mph.
When the limiter laws were introduced in Ontario I could not achieve better then 6.9mpg. Most of my runs were from Toronto to Florida and Toronto to Laredo Texas pulling 53" reefer.
Never ran supersingles had a few flat tires. One time I drove well over 300km to get it repaired.
Thanks for posting/sharing, nice video, first time watcher, i am no trucker, but have a ton of respect for them.
Thanks for watching!
Hi! Report from Sweden:
I earlier owned two Scania trucks, R420 (420hp/12 liters) 2008 ridgids 6x2 refeers. Of course duals, singles on drive axle are not used here, to high weights. Supersingles (385/65-22,5) on steer- and tag axles. 3.27 rear, 12 gear manual. Euro 4 with EGR, no problems at all.
4-axle drawbar trailers (or is it called dolly trailers in english?), single tyres, refeer.
Gross weight 60000 kg=132300 lbs but usually hauled max 100000-110000 lbs. Total hight 4,2 m=14 ft
Fuel consumption was 42 l/100 km=5.6 mpg. Both city driving and highway. But we only go 55 mph here even on highway.
Interesting channel, I just found it. Fun to see how trucking works over there.
Quit trucking a few years ago, am a train driver now.
Your Mount Saint Helens story made me think back to when I was a kid when it erupted. I lived in Ohio nowhere near the Volcano. There was ash falling around our house and my mother said I wonder if that’s from the Mt Saint Helens eruption. Turned out the neighbor was burning their trash. We got a good laugh out of it.
Love your videos keep them coming.
I lived about 90 miles north of St Helens .. ash hit us good ..and one of our trucks that wass coming back from the mouth of the Columbia .. clogged the air filter ..probably should not have driven ( i didnt do it .... not driving that day )
Thanks for the laugh! Take care! Dave
I love your videos Driver very informative, keep them coming Neighbor..
Will do Smitty, thanks! Dave
In the 1980's the fuel mileage spec formula was to, "gear fast - run slow" (less RPM/mile) with the new low revving electronic Diesel engines.
I'm a company driver. Truck is 2015 Volvo 780. 13 litter, 12 speed Ishift 2:70 rears duals. I pull Great Dane "ice cream" spec refeers using Carrier units with 45 gallon tanks. All our trailers have the side skirts and back door tails, or the under belly duck tails and the rear side mounted "air foil"?
Truck is governed at 65 MPH. At 65 MPH the engine RPM is just ever so slightly under 1200. We as a company run all of the lower 48. No NYC, and little north east. Average length of haul is 1400. Current load as I type this is 2138 mile.
I have been the only driver in this truck and in the 365,331 miles since I've been in this truck my average fuel mileage (pen to paper real math numbers) is 7.15 MPG according to the ECM though my average fuel mileage is 7.82 mpg. All trucks here have apu units to minimize the idle time. My idle time for the life of the truck according to the ECM is 3.31%.
Hope this is the information you're looking for.
Kevin Hilnbrand we use the same engines over here in our Volvo FH (I'm from the UK)
And here most hauliers have concluded that doing local work is best left for the small engines (stop start around town kind of stuff) but long haul you're always better off with the big engines since you aren't kicking it's head in all the time and dropping cogs for the hills
Those are good numbers Kevin! Keep up the good work and thanks for the info. Dave
Kevin Hilnbrand yea that is great information . Just for an experiment I ran my empty truck at 44 miles an hour which was 1175 rpm the lowest speed in high gear . I dealing time is the real fuel waster . Even in my car burns up a tank idling over night your idling time was super low
What's a long haul in the UK? :)
A lot of trucking channels out there.. Have learned a lot from watching your videos.... Great work... Just subscribe to it... Keep up the good work...
Will do, thank you! Dave
Donaldson made a lot of money selling their pre-cleaners back in the early 80s. . .I still have a couple of new units with the volcanic ash reference in their advertising. Thanks for the great videos!Ravensdale, Washington.
Old is gold when your talking about a Pete or KW! 🤗
My secret , 62 all day, less stressful and was behind the guy at end of day at the pump, who passed me twice.
Great vid!
This summer my friend Ira is giving me his ol’ retired ‘49 International log truck I will have-to restore, but I am planning on replacing the 466 engine for a newer CAT 3406, doing some bodywork & paint, then swapping the under-cab fuel tanks for new bigger ones behind the cab & adding side-pipes instead smoke-stacks, but this truck will hopefully be nice & perform nice when I’m done. I’ll post something about my truck when it’s done. 👍🏽😎
For over-the-road operations, manufacturers employing SCR predict DEF "dosing rates" of 2 to 3 percent. That means 2 to 3 gallons are consumed for every 100 gallons of diesel fuel, and 102-103 gallons of fluid should be factored into a mile-per-gallon calculation.
Only Classics for me Dave:) Love both KWs and Petes. Depends on the application. Cummins is my motor of choice.
Very well explained!👍
Thanks Dave you're legend buddy...
Co. gave me brand new'75 White Road boss. Drove from CT down to NY everyday with ltl frt to peddle in Queens and Brooklyn mostly.
Had Cummings pt230 with Fuller 955 GL trans and 455 rear. Would top out at 70 on Thruway. Mostly Second, third fourth in city traffic. Was a good pulling tractor, liked about thirty thousand on the van but would handle forty.
Anyway got 7 to 8 mpg on average. Guess that was pretty good. Low idle time as co. rule was turn off engine when leaving cab.
Keep up the good work. Enjoy the vids. Been retired 19 years. Union checks come in every month.
Thanks for watching Thomas! Enjoy your retirement! I don't think that trucking will ever be as good again as the days gone by! You got the best years of it! Dave
Great info 👍🏾
The emission equipment doesn't work because everyone's hauling feathers. Me in northern Ontario grossing 70000 kg on a log truck... everything burns clean because the engine is working so hard, and the dpf does "non controlled" burns on the hills from the exhaust temp. It's the guys running 605 hp pulling reefers that have engine problems.
Great video.
As a mechanic in a small reefer fleet we have seen small gains with trailer skirts with the dd15 that we run regional. We also se marginal differences with 10 speeds vs. 13 speed, of corse a lot depends on the drivers style of driving, our drivers that don't care get 6.5mpg the ones who do care get 7.2mpg, our Evo truck is capable of close to 8mpg in the No. East where we run.
Thanks for writing in Jason. I hear a lot of good reports on the DD15 engines but had not heard anything as to whether or not the trailer skirts were doing any good. And yes, so much of it has to do with the driver, doesn't it? Good numbers on the fuel. Take care! Dave
thank you for the information.
Nice story. Thanks for sharing
My truck (I drive a straight truck, 4200g tanker) gets around 3mpg. It has the X15 Cummins, 10sp, and 4.11 rear. I drive it like an old grandma, and occasionally can get a solid 4mpg. My biggest problem is that I primarily run in the city, in the mountains, so I’m constantly shifting, climbing, stopping, starting etc.
I have a KWT 680 2018 X 15 Cummins engine, right now I’m hauling 16 tons of cargo plush reefer trailer, tractor weighs 9.6 tons, when I drive I try to avoid heavy terrain areas or deep terrain areas my fuel mileage right now, on this load is 8.6 miles a gallon only because I’m driving on flat surface is from Florida into Georgia
The worst fuel economy I've seen was when I was hauling steel in the late 60s and thought the fleet was mostly White and Autocar he had one 1000 Ford tractor with a gas engine. The best fuel economy it ever got was 3 miles per gallon.
When I worked for Glengary Transport in Hamilton they had a fleet of Road Boss White tractors and the ones they used to run the Toronto to Montreal route all had a straight 6 speed Fuller transmission. The ones I drove had a ten speed Fuller but I guess the powers that be agreed with your idea of changing fewer gears should result in better fuel economy. Montreal to Toronto was a days work for those guys and in the basement under the office and warehouse was an apartment with beds, showers and a kitchen. Those guys seemed like a pretty happy bunch so the apartment must have been at least not bad.
I'm running a Coronado glider, 70-75mph on mostly flatish road hauling 40k in a van I can still get almost 7mpg easy. Even running through west virginia most loads I average 6.6mpg. I do have an APU so not idling helps
Thanks for the educational
Dave. You’re THE go to trucking man on YT. Now can you just use one AYE? Lol.
We love your videos!
Well, thank you sir! I'll try to remember to say Aye! Dave
97 KW W900 - 12.7 Detroit - Averages7.2MPG Loaded 44K @ 55MPH 3.90 Rears 10Speed. Million Miles on the engine not rebuilt. The slower you go the money you will make. I play with the boost gauge. Once the turbo is not spooling up hard all the time is when I get the best mileage. A lot of times I end up seeing the guys that passed me on the first brake check.
Big old Volvo 880, 700 hp 16 liter, 18 speed, 3.21 rear end, 22s. Averaged 6.2 miles per gallon running back and forth between Vancouver and Calgary with maxed tridem vans. I could do 75 mph at 1390 rpm. EGR was blocked and deleted.
I run local dump wagon, local but mostly interstate, with a 1997 pete 378 with a cat c15 475hp.
We run a dedicated route with 4 trucks convoy style, the other 3 are 16 and 17 KW's 680's with Detroit's I believe. Running the same route with my truck running lead, I average about 15 to 20 gallons less fuel a day.
May of 1980 I was only a week old. Lol 04|26|80. Great channel thank you for the content.
Thank you sir! Dave
I'm a road service guy in the Idaho Rockies & go out on a lot of run out of fuel jobs in the winter. I did a 389 Pete ISX the other day that came out of Nebraska & made 3.2 mpg. I found no problems other than dry tanks.
Wow! That's mileage to be proud of! And the guy ran it out of fuel too! A true pro. Dave
Never found the range switch.
I drive a Pete 378 from 1996 for a small end dump company. I absolutely love it. All I do is run aggregates around town and listen to heavy metal. But she gets 4.3 mpg no matter what I do. I told the boss because I thought something was wrong. He said "4.3 mpg? What are you doing to get that? The other boys are getting 3.8!" Apparently, I was doing a good job. I suppose my crippling self doubt gave me a W.
Ha..... My mom was born in Cardston AB..... and you are absolutely correct Dave, especially once your truck is paid for, the little bit extra fuel mileage a new truck MIGHT get will never equal the extra cost of a truck payment, however at some point we found that the breakdown rate of an older truck wasn't worth it anymore, it's not the 50 part that breaks that cost you the money, it's the 1500 dollar trip you missed that cost you but it is worth running them out a lot farther than most people do, once the breakdown rate gets too high it's time to either replace it or rebuild everything if you can afford that.... just my 2 cents worth, the old bus I'm converting to a motorhome is a 1971 MCI with a 6V92 Detroit ... you'll remember those !!!!
Yes I do! Dave
84 Freightliner Cabover, 8V71-T 350 Detroit, 13 Speed Transmission, 360" Wheel Base, Big Bunk Cab Over, Air Ride Suspension, 3.08 Rear End Ratio, Dual Chrome Straight Stacks, Dual Aluminum 140 Gal Fuel Tanks, Air Slide Fifth Wheel, Merritt Head Ache Rack, 24.5" Aluminum Wheels, 275/75R24.5 Tires.
Fully loaded i get about 5 mpg. No matter if its 55 or 75.
Cant wait to drive my 16V71 brockway 🙃
Hi
Very nice information
Company spec 2019 Cascadia, 12 speed A/T, full bunk pulling van with skirts and 25k in the box. Cruise set at 66.
60° no wind from Battle Creek Michigan to Chicago on I-94. 10.5mpg avg
2 Days Later same load same route same trailer. 31° with head wind. 8mpg avg.
Truck has 28k on it now and has average 8.5 mpg so far including idle time
Man, can't complain about that! Mostly downhill trip, but still. Pretty damn good! Dave
Back in the day I ran narrow nose Pete pulling tanks (OO), truck and trailer, single baffle, petroleum. We ran gross all the time, but no cross country. Longest haul was SF Bay Area to Canada (transformer oil). Sealed loads. Single drive with tag axle. 5 & 4 (Od & Od) with PTO for the pump off. 280 Cummins. Lotta guys went 335 or 350. I regularly got 7 mpg. They mostly got 5.5'ish or 6 with big grill, quad lights, outside air cleaners, tall stacks, and exposed oil filters. The trick was to get into Od & Od and loaf the engine. Yeah, it was slow on grades, but I wasted more time waiting for gates to get opened or tanks to be valved differently than I ever lost going up hill. I-80 to Reno is a long grade and the big boys would pass me laden, but it amounted to maybe an extra 1/2 hour out of a 12 hour day ...
I hear all that and I agree, keep the rpms low and I'll bet that tag axle helped the mileage as well! Nice old truck!
I remember St. Helens well, living in Eastern Wa. Our dispatch had us park for three days, while they took a crash course in air filters!! The whole summer of '80 on the county roads was interesting due to ash. It was actually plowed in some areas, and the consistency varied in relation to the distance from the mtn.
I was in the midwest at the time, and I can clearly recall the very red colored sky! Something in the way the ash way up there interacted with the sun.
Unbelievable, to actually have to plow it! Can't imagine! Dave
Last load: gross at 79,200lbs (onions) from Mcallen, Tx to Plant City, Fl was at 11.3 mpg in a 2020 Freightliner with the 500hp DD15.
Previous load; gross at 77,900lbs (beef) from Sauderton, Pa to Yoakum, Tx was at 10.6 mpg.
Unfortunately, I do not the gearing, but can find it. In a company truck" governed at 68mph. At maximum cruise, RPMs are usually @ 1300rpm. I do have an APU for the electrical and A/C.
May 18th 1980 I was living in Kelso Wa. and hauling black and green pulp mill liquor between the Crownzellerbach paper mills at Camas Wa. And Wauna Or. At a couple of vantage points I could see the eruption during the turns between mills. It was boiling away-lightning flashing-the sky to the east was BLACK-no ash falling at the mills or in Longview/Kelso or Portland at the time. A few days later and another eruption blanketed the Longview/Kelso and Portland Or. area overnight while it was raining. Everything was coated in about 1/2 to 1 inch of ash mud buy the time it stopped. When it dried out it was bad. Every vehicle movement made a huge cloud of ash dust. Eyes, skin,food,water anything you did had ash in or on it. Air cleaners,filters change change change-clean clean clean all the time. Windshield wipers would destroy the glass in 2 minutes. Surgical masks, Bandas, rags, anything to cover your mouth and nose was the attire of the region for weeks.
I've got a 2015 International Prostar light weight, with an n13 Cummins and a ten speed. It gets around 8mpg. Only two complaints, it's not a very good looking truck and it seriously lacks power. But it has been reliable so far.. I guess that's what counts in the end.
Reliable is what counts, but I didn't think the Prostar was a bad looking truck. Dave
The Mount St. Helen ash floated as far as Montreal; I distinctly recall a fine coat of dust on every car. It wasn't much, but it was unmistakably there.
The mid 90's frieghtliners with 50 series Detroit's get good fuel mileage and they are cheap.
Apu is a must for an owner operator.
1998 fld120 condo. 500 DD 12.7 , Eaton 10, 3.70 rears former penske, pulling a van consistently getting 7 plus mpg. 70 mph PA to new england. Love this truck , cheap to buy, cheap to operate. It's a shame it's so ugly. Very dependable too never misses it's weekly trip to the bank to make a healthy deposit. Only reason I have peterbilts is to get drivers and keep the peterbilt dealer in business (buying their overpriced parts).
I enjoy your videos and to me your right on most subjects you talk about from your experience... When I first started trucking years ago I seen all the issues and lies and how they were ripping off the drivers, making everything hard... I was so pissed off I wanted to write a book exposing the whole industry. In a crooked lying industry how do you manage to continue in it? And can you give some insight on the good of being in the trucking Industry other then I love to drive trucks or I like travelling? Haha. That's seems to be the only enjoyable approach to a industry that wants to rip you off everyday until you give up or retire.
That story about mount saint Halen got me glued
KW T660 2014. Engine . ISX15. 13 speed. . Average run. 6.5mpg. At 70 mph. Other examples. 70 mph 37 000 - 45 000 pounds loads . Average 5.5-6.5 mph. ( wind and terrain alter those) . With very light loads 5 000 - 15 000. Running 70-75 mph . 6 - 7 . Mpg. And just like mentioned before speed is a big factor. Today I’m hauling 10 000 pounds. Going with a steady tail wind . On pretty much flat terrain. Michigan averaged 9.2 mpg. And Indiana was 9.0. Mpg. And because I was running 65mph entire way. With no stopping. So I think for my truck -5 mph from my regular average probably gets me extra 1 - 1.5 mpg. Also consider this . That’s 5 miles less then you get doing 70. So if you’re like me and earn by mile. That’s about 7 dollars per hour less. Also because I’ve saved fuel . And using my average numbers it’ll be plus 7 dollars... so my savings are 0.... yeah. I know that my truck will last longer and so on... but going slower also means I burn unnecessary hours of driving... so in the ends . 5 mph makes 0 difference for me. I’m sure with greater speed reductions I’d save a few quarters more... how ever do any of you want to get stuck behind Swift?...
It depends on what you are doing. If you're running 6 one hundred trips in a day, you have to run however hard it takes to get that 6 trips. It makes up for only 5.
It also makes a difference if you need a heavy duty rig or just a good road truck....that stays on smooth pavement.
2007 Volvo 880, 16 liter, 700hp, 2250 torque, 18 speed, 3.21 ratio. 13.2 steer and 46 rear, 22s dual.. Tare weight 23,250 lbs. 6.2 miles per gallon pulling maxed tridems (total gvw 102,400 lbs) during the winter. Route was Vancouver to Calgary rounders. No DEF, egr blocked and deleted, and always did the speed limit 90 kms to 120 kms. Was happiest doing 115 kph at 1375 rpm.
We have super singles on the front of our cornbinder... when the tire came off... so did the hood... into the bush.
Was in ridge field Washington on the south west side of the mountain about 15 air miles away milking cows for shuzsters dairy at 7:30 in the morning. The cows were acting up and being nervous which I thought odd? Once they were hooked up glanced out the door to see the plume of smoke coming from the mountain then all of a sudden the mountain just blew a Hugh cloud of ash and smoke with lightning bolts hit the ground! Amazing to see, but the crazy thing was there was no explosion noise on are side of the mountain? I talk to others and they said they heard it all the way across the state!
I've seen some flatbed spread axles drive down the road with one of their spread axles lifted off the ground. Empty might I add. Also, Volvo's new equipment can lift one of the drive axles off the ground for fuel saving when empty.
I do like lift axles! Dave
I agree with everything you say. However, I believe that when you said "lower gear ratio" you actually meant higher. The lower the number, the higher the ratio. For example, a 3.55 ratio is actually a higher gear than a 3.70, 3.90 etc. Numerically, the higher the number, the higher the r.p.m. For example, a 3.73 ratio will turn the engine a bit faster than a 3.55 at the same road speed. I'm sure you know this, but the way you said it might confuse someone trying to spec their first tractor. I actually stopped at a dealer the other day that had a bunch of used trucks from a big fleet. They all had DD15s and 10 speed direct transmissions, but, they all had a 2something ratio. They'd be GREAT for flat ground and light loads, but, they'd be worthless on hills, and, even worse under a heavy load!
Most company trucks I was with were - Throttle to the floor and pray it is enough - Around 7 to 9 MPG
Company driver here, got a 2015 cascadia dd15 with a 10 speed speed governed at 63 on flat ground can get 8-9 on grades usually 6.5-7.5 depending on how heavy I am
Good morning, Dave. In your experience, is it true that gearing a truck “tall” with 3.08 - 3.30 drives and direct drive in the transmission yield better efficiency than running lower ratios such as 3.70 - 4.10 and overdrive in the transmission?
Overall final drive ratios can be similar, but the truck running direct is touted to be more efficient and a stronger more reliable setup than pulling a truck pulling in overdrive... is there any truth to this, in the real world?
Thank you for your videos, and keep up the great work! 👌🏻
I do agree with what this man said about the higher horse engine an the manuel transmission an low geared rear ends. I talked to an owner operator out of canada he told me that he set up his truck to maintain 65 mph an he would leave the yard in canada with 3 company trucks they would drive 70 mph when they got to the fuel stop here in america he had used less fuel than the company trucks.
I Work for tmc trans and one of our guys got his truck reset to factory specs after a service at yhe peterbilt dealer, the company truck is a peterbilt 579 and he averaged 10 mpg a week until they made him go to one of our shops at the terminal and put the company specs into the computer again and maxed out at 7 mpg
Wow! What's wrong with TMC? Dave
Smart-Trucking.com probably warranty or insurance spec
I have a Penske lease 16 Cascadia with a good ol manual and a Detroit (DD13) I believe around 450 hp. It of course does no more than 65 mph.I pull just a 53’ dry van and rather lightly loaded I get about 8.5 mpg in the warmer weather. Lately of course it’s winter and I’ve been hauling more 40K loads in rather hilly terrain in PA and it’s dropped down to about 7 mpg. I do keep it at speed limits and am very conscious of keeping my idling time down.She also has the exhaust pipe underneath which now I’m guessing after your demonstration is for increasing aerodynamics?
Back with a private owner lol,DD15 13speed 3:36 rears low pro,excellent spec I think should be a basic spec n yes they own freight shaker lol 2015 cascadia evolution lol but it run great,lots room & 70 to 75 I nail 6.8 to 7.2 mpg,tach sits in a beautiful spot for interstate speeds
The big engine to save fuel makes a lot a sense! Thats why in Europe they run Volvos and Scanias with 750 hp pulling less than 30 tons ... constant speed at lower RPM !
What you said about the ash from Mt. St. Helens.. I remember being a 6 year old kid asking why it was snowing when it was warm.. All the way out in Boston. That ash carried for an amazing distance. I can still picture it.. there was a lot of it too, settling on cars. I remember the adults talking about it and they looked as confused as us. Our teacher told us what had happened, then started teaching us about volcanoes. lol
It was something to see, wasn't it? Dave
As soon as you said 1980 I knew you'd say Mt. St. Helens. It could only be ash.
I have 2014 Freightliner cascadia. It has over 600+ miles. and every month it has gotten never less than 6.7 and never more than 7.3....Average speed 67-68. I run Reefer from cali to 48 states
In the truck I just sold, I had a natural 625 hp dialed up to 700. 18 speed, 2250 torque, and 3.21 gears. I did rounders from Vancouver to either Edmonton or Calgary. That means mountains, real ones with grades always 6% or more, all day long every single day. I always ended up with maxed out tridems (for the yanks, that 102,400 gvw). My sweet spot was 1375 rpm doing 70 mph. My average fuel was 6.4 mpg. Big horsepower and mountains go together. Had auto chains, and manufacturer recommendation was no more that 30 mph. So I'd be forced to throttle back each time I did the smasher in the winter. Aka highway through hell. The sign said 14% for years, and we all laughed. Then it shrunk to 12% and for the last 3 years, it's now 8%. Doesn't look any flatter to me. Handy tricks for newbies. If you have a manual fan override switch, it's your friend. Flip the fan on going downhill and you'll get a free extra 6 to 8% hold back. And flip it on as you hit the grade going up. Yes it robs your horsepower a bit, but on a hot day on a long climb, your motor will thank you.
3.21 gears. Big rubber? Did you ever get to run in the top hole? Curious about your set up. Cat engine? I had a friend that ran a marine Cat engine in his Pete. It got the same mileage as you, and pulled like Jack the Bear. Smoked a fair bit in the hard pulls.Big Switzer turbo. Dave
Yeah, the top hole was fun. And usually only had to split down every once in a while. Lost the habit of putting my foot into it early for the smaller humps, could pull down to 1000, or a quick little split got me over. I never had the luxury of tandems, it would have been a pleasure. Shame upon shame it was a Volvo D16. yeah yeah, i know, I know. I'm a Cummins freak from way back. First motor I owned was a big cam 400. Lots of pull in that old baby. I've had the classic bullet proof Cat 3406 and the Cummins N14. The cats pulled like a champ, but kinda wimpy on the way down. The Cummins would pull almost as good, and jakes are Cummin's forte. I had a C5 cat, and it was still loose going down, and the early ISX's were in my opinion some of the best engines ever produced. Yeah yeah, come on Cummins haters, I've heard it all. But I loved them cuz you'd HAVE to wear your seat belt, otherwise as soon as you hit your jakes you'd get thrown through the windshield. Now, Cats are awesome pulling. No twin turbos ever, they're feces. But they're thirsty and parts are expensive. So the big C for me. Anyhow, I'm a large car kinda guy, but couldn't find a mid 2000s Pete or Kenny with a big power Cummins for under $75k, that didn't need an instant inframe etc. Would never by truck newer than 2007. And out here, a glider is not an option. If it was I'd throw in a crate 625 N14. So I spotted a yes, gag horrors, Volvo. Black 880, with a natural 625 hp, recent dealer rebuild, and same with tranny and diffs. Beater on the outside, and yeah I dressed the thing up. People found it hard guessing what it was. It had the above specs, so I did quick research, and then without letting the seller know, he coughed up all the correct info on how it wasn't a crap Volvo motor anymore. All the right things were done. Since I don't like odd numbers, it went up to 700. I had the egr blocked off and deleted off the computer. Better fuel mileage, burns cleaner, and no more expensive regularly occurring repairs, go figure eh. Ran an overhead, and I hate to admit this, the jakes were almost as good as the venerable Cummins. But mine put 575 hp into them, so it's hard to compare accurately. yes I could have gotten better than 6.4 mpg in it, but my time is money, but in reverse. Why would I want to add 2 to 4 hours extra taken from my life every two days. My budget allowed that. It's a value and lifestyle decision. I see a speed limit, I do it. Unless I want to go faster. In the words of Sammy Hager, I can't drive 55. So it purred along doing 70 at 1375, and 75 at 1400. Only hassle was in normal city highways. It wasn't all that happy doing 60. Yes it could go that low in top, but usually I'd split to direct 8, so the jakes would be better if I needed them in the midst of moronic 4 wheelers. Where I used to save money is in the mountains. 9, 10s, 15s, 13's bah, gimme an 18. Splitting all over the place with half gears is the way you can keep your boost low, and temps low, and save money. I see giys wind their motors out all the way up the hill, cuz taking a full gear on those grades, and you better be damn good, otherwise grind them. More than 60% of the time I'd get to the top of the smasher in 7 high with a maxed tridem. Of course, I'd be plotting and planning a while before I hit the grade. The Fraser canyon is my road, I own it. But I hated having to gear down at the top of some of the grades cuz of the sharp corners. Life ain't fair. So folks, stone me, tar and feather me, but if you have a Volvo motor tuned and dialed right, you can get power.
And oops, I had 22.5 rubber on it. Money went into rebuilding the entire braking and abs systems and not all new wheels and tires.
I ran those wide tires at 30 lbs pressure with a 79 thousand lbs gross weight about 60 over a dot scale so I like those wide tires. I ran a 1994 international Builders transport Cabover with small engine and 4.11 rear from Chicago to Louisville. Pretty flat with 79000 lbs and got 9 miles to the gallon on the dashboard computer . Due east to west Virginia soon as I hit the mountains 2 miles to the gallon 4.5 miles to the gallon for the entire trip. Can't remember where I was going but I had to go through WV. Maybe the Reader digest in Southern PA.
Love the video, Dave. I own an older Freightliner, no DEF, but small engine Detroit series 60 435 horse. I average 5.2 to 5.4 miles per gallon. Not great but it is what it is. I want to try to bump it to a 470 horse but been unable to get info on how to do this. The dealer tell me the ECM won't allow for that, thinking maybe change the ECM. Don't know if it's doable but we'll see....
Cassius Puckett contact Pittsburgh power.
As far as I know you can swap the ECM if they'll let you, depending on the torque rating on the driveline. Good advice from Kevin. Dave
I have a 1999 W900 86"studio with 600E Caterpillar kicking 650 hp with 18 over transmission 3 :55 rears sitting on 11R24.5 tall rubber I pulled oil field and gas well equipment with her after building her. I do other oversized and overweight loads in between. They have all kinds of new trucks they own moving the same stuff. Difference comes in the fact theirs are regulated to 60mph and they get 3 miles to the gallon I get from 6 to 8 mpg doing it. Now I did move an extreme load Fort Worth to Denver bucking 60 mph up to 80 mph head wind but was 16'8" wide and 16'10" tall 137' 8" in length setting at 118,000 lbs. I got about 4.5 to 5 mpg when other oversized loads were parking because they could not pull against the wind. On top of wind lot of stop and go turns. I could and did maintain the speed pushing about 30 to 33 pounds of manifold temp. No telling what I could average pulling light or even legal loads doing 65 to 75 because even though my girl will rock and roll not what I built her for and flying over 100 mph is dangerous blows tires burns fuel.
Nice truck Randy! Hang on to her. Dave
I am definitely going to keep this ole girl. I have put about$100,000.00 in her since I bought her. Fixing to drop $25,000.00 more about $5,000.00 on her $4,500.00 on insurance $5,000.00 on a trailer to start running on a million dollar account I have then start bringing my contactors one at a time on that contract. Have other good contracts for the other contractors. Will buy another truck and trailer for an old friend to do the Texas, Oklahoma to Canada's turn around contract. I love my girl there is no feeling like sitting in her Paccar mobiling down the road. This contract will have me sitting about 55,000 gross weight.
I have a 2018 680kw with a 13spd and 3.25 gears. I try to keep it between 65-72. I usually get between 6.7-7.5 at that speed with about 42-44k. I don’t have Super singles thank God.
I could get over eight driving a 8 speed manual Freightliner. I just drove her Eazy and shifted good. I was doing reefer with an empty back haul
Iran 2016 international sleeper doing Drive-In for that year over a hundred thousand miles without many empty that calls I got 7.2. I just paid attention
I pulled a 4 axle titan thin wall chip trailer with low profile super singes. Trick i learned running chapleau to espanola.. i got a flat a few times...
1st.. dump the air ride
2nd ... pinch of the air bag or turn the valve off at the airbsg closest to the tire.
3rd.... air up the suspension except the bag next to the flat.
4th hammerdown.
This worked for me on very demanding hwy129. Theres mo phone for 2.5 hrs so fix it n run or your stuck.
Hey Dave, I drive a '11 freightliners Columbia, glider kit. It's got a Detroit series 60. I was told it's rated at 500 h p. I'm not too sure about that. Don't know what the gear ratio Is, it has 2 100 gallon fuel tanks, On a hard run, pulling anything over 25,000 mpg is bad. Usually I'm doing 10 to 15000 runs mpg is around 5.5 to 6 a gallon. Truck does run good though
You can use a chain and a come a long to ratchet the axel up off the ground and lemp a supper single to a shop. I did it.
DOT or ole smokey would just have a field day with that one!
Loaded? Dave
We are switching to natural gas powered tractors. Right now it's voluntary, but it will become a requisite for continued employment in 2020. I drove one the other day to see what the deal is. It's not as bad as some of the old timers said, but it's not diesel like for sure. You really have to put your foot in it and the shift times are different. You gotta get all you can out of the gear your in, especially fully loaded.
Interesting, thanks! Who do you run for? Dave
Thumbs up. Good thing the ash didn't clog the engine.
That’s funny I live in Calgary and I’ve seen it snow here at 10c. 3300ft.
I remember early 90's driving international cabovers that ran 315 Cummins with a 9 speed and they would run about 65mph flat out. They ran around 5.5-6mpg pretty steadily. Ran some other trucks with 400 Cummins and 8 and even 13speeds not gear restricted and they might run 75or so flat out but still ran similar fuel economy. Worked on Mack trucks in the late 90's early 2000's and most configurations, all manual transmission ran around 6-7 mpg. They added egr systems to the Mack 460 engine and fuel mileage dropped down into the 4's with considerably less power and drivability. Sometimes simple is better
Yeah Earl, I think they all pretty much dropped in fuel mileage and reliability when that emissions stuff came out. Mistake, in my opinion.
I agree! I never understood how burning twice as much fuel was supposed to be better for the environment. I think they used the EPA to squeeze us for more fuel taxes!!
That video very help
I know you favour KW & Pete but i was wondering your opinion of Western Star . For example a Western Star 5700 running a Detroit Diesel . I am thinking about moving from the Alberta oil patch to owner operator long haul truck driver and we have been using Detroit Diesels since the days of the 2 stroke DD . We never seemed to have any engine issues , pretty bullet proof. Thanx for your time , Great youtube channel
Thanks Shawn! I like the Western Stars. A little heavy, but well built. Dave
1981 W900A flat top sleeper 12v71TA 13+4 the truck sips the fuel at a easy 8mpg lol. The newer trucks really get good fuel mileage when you in a regen cycle and its burning diesel fuel to burn out the carbon. I'm in the believer of bigger power lower gears and slower speed. I grew up around the trucking in the 80s-90s fuel efficiency wasn't a big concern, trucks running 2 strokes. The old Big Cam Cummins or the 3406AB Cats were not that great either.