The proof is in the numbers. We have always gone the Speed limit but never over 70mph. We met up with someone we know who also drives for Panther. They have a Classic and told us that they are getting 8mpg but they slowed down to 55 mph, now we have been listening to Kevin on xm 171 and have been fighting between ourselves Hubby and I over the slower speed. We are getting around 6 mpg on the average. So the fight is over hubby agreed to try 60 mph back from Texas. We fueled up at New Braunfels Tx. Odometer is at 1130369. Delivered in Louisville Ky. and fueled up, put on 130 gal ending miles 1131437. So we went 1104 miles, our mph is.......8.49 mpg. This blew us away that is a savings of 40,000 per year on 200,000 miles with fuel at 4.02 per gallon. I can handle that bonus. Thank-you Jerry and Carolynn and Kevin Rutheford. We drive a Frtliner FLD 120 500 detroit, 356 ratio 22.5 low pro. We also have a turbo 3000 on the truck. And we drag a 53 ' trailer.
MPG & Slowing Down
- Thread starter babs3361
- Start date
butterfly610
Veteran Expediter
Before I read about everyone slowing down, it just didn't occur to me for some stupid reason that that's why everyone was doing it. I usually only drive about 65 anyway, but I kept passing these big trucks doing like 60-62. I kept asking myself why they were going so slow.....duh, after I realized why I felt pretty dumb! Makes sense, and you don't end up getting somewhere at that much of a different time than if you're driving faster. Saves you money, and if you drive for a fleet owner, I'm sure they'd appreciate it.
If you want another proof then next time you're riding passenger open the window and put your hand out. Cup your fingers and see how much muscle you need to use to hold it against the air pressure at 30 and again at 60. That muscle energy you are using is comparable to fuel energy the engine is using. There are other factors and this is a very simple analogy but it's still a good illustration.
Being a Sprinter and keeping a journal...I've gone from 70 down to 55....WAS averaging 22-23 mpg....NOW 25-26 mpg. Twice this week I broke the 27mpg barrier(with a tailwind) Thats a HUGE savings!
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
Not to pat myself on the back,but what have I been saying the past couple of months.I even posted my trip to California,that I was going as fast as law would allow,and my fuel mileage dropped to just under 4 mpg.Return trip,back to 60mph, and even though having a heavy cross wind.our mileage was back in the high 6's low 7's.As soon as I get mother nature to work with me,I'll be back in the 7's and 8's.Keep slowing your trucks,lets let the oil companies drink there excess oil.This is much better than a strike.
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Night...ya gotta do whatcha gotta do...if my arms were longer I'd pat myself on the back and give myself an "Attaboy"
Just to add to this....These saving have always been there...it took a 4 dollar gallon to make us smarten up!!! Just maybe it was a good thing then????
Just to add to this....These saving have always been there...it took a 4 dollar gallon to make us smarten up!!! Just maybe it was a good thing then????
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dieseldiva
Veteran Expediter
I too was having a few 'duh' moments but for opposite reasons. I was starting to get really paranoid thinking that those big trucks were secretly buying their fuel someplace that I didn't know about. They were all going so fast, I assumed they had paid far less than I!!
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
Most of those big trucks that are flying by,are not the owners driving them.Sure you here them say that they get better mileage going fast,well, those trucks aren't really theirs.Most of those produce trucks are owned by Drs and lawyers,being used as tax shelters.For every mile per hour over 55,you loose 1 tenth of a mile per gallon,its proven.I too was having a few 'duh' moments but for opposite reasons. I was starting to get really paranoid thinking that those big trucks were secretly buying their fuel someplace that I didn't know about. They were all going so fast, I assumed they had paid far less than I!!
No, nothing that fancy...the more toys ya have the more they cost to fix...a pen and paper, the ole fashion way. I just thought using "journal" made me look more edjumucated?
dieseldiva
Veteran Expediter
Me thinks you're right, many were company trucks but still....someone is paying for the fuel and it doesn't do much for our dependency on foreign oil.
It's also occurred to me that we have no right to whine and cry that the government should 'do something' about the fuel prices when so many of us can't simply slow down. How can we expect them to help us when we won't even help ourselves?? Getting down off my soapbox now.
Me thinks you're right, many were company trucks but still....someone is paying for the fuel and it doesn't do much for our dependency on foreign oil.
It's also occurred to me that we have no right to whine and cry that the government should 'do something' about the fuel prices when so many of us can't simply slow down. How can we expect them to help us when we won't even help ourselves?? Getting down off my soapbox now.
That'll be a change....*lol*
dieseldiva
Veteran Expediter
It's been quite some time since I've told you this....................................................................
BITE ME!!
I do notice that this strike talk is getting some national media attention. Seen it locally and just this morning on Fox News.
The ATA is wanting Washington to open up the reserves, mandate speed limiters @ 62 mph, and set a national speed limit of 65.
I would probably add to that a disclosure/transparency bill.
Way too many don't have a clue what the customer is actually paying. It would also address issues of carriers keeping portions of the fuel surcharges.
The ATA is wanting Washington to open up the reserves, mandate speed limiters @ 62 mph, and set a national speed limit of 65.
I would probably add to that a disclosure/transparency bill.
Way too many don't have a clue what the customer is actually paying. It would also address issues of carriers keeping portions of the fuel surcharges.
Congress doesn't seem to be doing much lately...guess they are watching the election too much..
dieseldiva
Veteran Expediter
A simple 'lifting' of the federal tax, or part of it would be great and would probably give the economy a boost also but til then...................we're on our own.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
You know I am really kind of getting tiered of hearing all the crying from the trucking end of this industry, they are not in a hurry to throw money out the door when it comes down to it and they refuse to modify their behavior or get involved with things politics, so let those suffer.
Having the government involved is the wrong thing to do, but as DD pointed out, the only thing that they can do right now to help is putting a moratorium for both the federal and state taxes which will do so much more than this BS $1200 dollars most of us will get.
My state is talking about a serious rise in fuel taxes and no one is reporting it, why? If Michigan was smart, they would take the money out of the schools and put it into road repair at the same time telling the trucks there will be no tax collected if you run in our state or buy fuel here, talk about a boost for the state. We don't need to pay teachers and administrators bonuses, our roads are more important.
I remember once there was a concern over $2 a gallon gas, some states suspended the tax to help people, where is it now?
I am on the side of letting the fuel prices rise more and not do a thing about it. Let the ones who have no choice but to park their trucks, do just that. Let the market adjust itself over the next year, let the ones who can survive, survive. It would be better for all if this really happens because there will become a point where things won't move because either the shipper wants cheap rates or the brokers are taking too much out of the pie. Both of these have to come to a head and adjust themselves without the government getting involved. Many who don't want to slow down deserve what they get, as the same with the people who don't care.
I am listening to 171 the other night on the way back to Michigan and was amazed at one caller who said he slowed down from "75 to 70, maybe sometime 68", well at 4 MPG, let him go out of business, I can't care about his complaints that he is hurting because of the high cost of fuel. I met people like that who for what ever reason don't want to slow down, they want those big bucks and cry because it cost them $500 to fill up, even after the FSC is right on point where it should be for them. Why should I feel any thing towards them when I can balance things out and make money?
It really comes down to the fact that we all have to take personal responsiblity for running our own show. For those who can't take responsibility and adjust to survive, then get a job.
Having the government involved is the wrong thing to do, but as DD pointed out, the only thing that they can do right now to help is putting a moratorium for both the federal and state taxes which will do so much more than this BS $1200 dollars most of us will get.
My state is talking about a serious rise in fuel taxes and no one is reporting it, why? If Michigan was smart, they would take the money out of the schools and put it into road repair at the same time telling the trucks there will be no tax collected if you run in our state or buy fuel here, talk about a boost for the state. We don't need to pay teachers and administrators bonuses, our roads are more important.
I remember once there was a concern over $2 a gallon gas, some states suspended the tax to help people, where is it now?
I am on the side of letting the fuel prices rise more and not do a thing about it. Let the ones who have no choice but to park their trucks, do just that. Let the market adjust itself over the next year, let the ones who can survive, survive. It would be better for all if this really happens because there will become a point where things won't move because either the shipper wants cheap rates or the brokers are taking too much out of the pie. Both of these have to come to a head and adjust themselves without the government getting involved. Many who don't want to slow down deserve what they get, as the same with the people who don't care.
I am listening to 171 the other night on the way back to Michigan and was amazed at one caller who said he slowed down from "75 to 70, maybe sometime 68", well at 4 MPG, let him go out of business, I can't care about his complaints that he is hurting because of the high cost of fuel. I met people like that who for what ever reason don't want to slow down, they want those big bucks and cry because it cost them $500 to fill up, even after the FSC is right on point where it should be for them. Why should I feel any thing towards them when I can balance things out and make money?
It really comes down to the fact that we all have to take personal responsiblity for running our own show. For those who can't take responsibility and adjust to survive, then get a job.
Tell me about Greg...many a times a guy will speed by me and then we'll meet up at the pump and he's whining about the price!! I just walk away from the idiot.