[GMAN]

I have gotten around 10 mpg bobtailing. Unfortunately, I haven't found anyone who will pay me to bobtail. :lol:

[allan5oh]

I had always thought the computer on this truck was set up for US gallons, but now I'm sure. I can't imagine I was getting 10 mpUSg.

It is, metric is in L/100km, not imperial gallons.

I get 12 mpg bobtailing sometimes.

[marylandkw]

OK, Hopefully I don't mess up the math here.

100,000 miles at 5mpg with fuel at $2.60 =$52000.00
100,000 miles at 6mpg with fuel at $2.60 =$43333.33

One more mpg is worth $8666.66 more money for you at the end of the year. And as fuel prices go up that number does as well. And that's alot of money to me.

I for one have much better fuel economy when I drive a bit slower, 65 or under, never over the limit. And like someone who does not like to be quoted said, I arrive calmer and less stressed as well.

And for the fun of it lets dive a little deeper into the math. Lets say you have 1200 miles to cover.
Run it all at 75mph and it will take you 16 hours.
Run it all at 65mph and it will take you 18 hours 28 minutes.
As those runs get shorter, the time "savings" become even smaller. Slower speeds frequently result in better economy for me.

Many a wise driver will tell you bad stuff happens fast, the slower you go, the more time you have to react. Bad stuff could be a collision or a ticket. Or it could be you running faster than everyone and changing lanes alot, increasing your risk for a collision. Have a collision or get a ticket the fines are the least of your worries. Wait until your insurance finds out.

So..................

Run slower and you make more money and are less stressed. Relax and enjoy yourself!

Now, some will say that if you drive slower you might miss that next load. I would counter by saying I would have to miss alot of those "next loads" to equal my savings in fuel alone each year.

[LOAD IT]

Originally Posted by GMAN

I have gotten around 10 mpg bobtailing. Unfortunately, I haven't found anyone who will pay me to bobtail. :lol:

10-4 on that!!!!

[geomon]

I took marylandkw's numbers one step further....interesting that it is not a linear change when you slow down and bump up your fuel mileage.

I took his(hers?) numbers and went one step further and figured the cost per mile for different mpg's:
5.0mpg=$0.52/mi
5.5mpg=$0.47/mi (0.05 difference from 5.0mpg)
6.0mpg=$0.43/mi (0.04 diff from 5.5)
6.5mpg=$0.40/mi (0.03 diff from 6.0)

What is interesting is that there is an increase in 1 cent per mile savings for each 1/2 mpg increase between 5.0-6.5. So depending on where you are with your own mileage, you can save anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 per year. That's not chump change!

[marylandkw]

Last time I checked I am a "his"

The difference off of your calculations from 5mpg to 6.5mpg at 100,000 miles a year is $12,000. I don't care how good your company is going, $12,000 is some nice extra money.

[solo379]

Originally Posted by marylandkw

I don't care how good your company is going, $12,000 is some nice extra money.

Keep in mind, those 12 grand, is not just "gross", it's "net", meaning, goes directly in your pocket, no overhead! 8)

[60363]

Slow driving doesn't equel good mileage. My truck is limited to 65 mph, and recently the management turned it down to ... 62.5 mph both on foot and cruise because they want at least 6.5 mpg. Of course they buy cheap trucks (Columbia) with cheap Mercedes engines (1550 lb-ft of torque) and they send us to hilly terrain in PA, NY or BC with 45,000 lb loads.

Mercedes 12.8 l 460 hp 1550 lb-ft of torque 3:70 axle ratio
Limited (for now) to 62.5 mph

[geomon]

Sorry marylandkw...that avatar was a bit androgynous....

60363...as a driver and not an O/O or carrier, you do not see the benefits. Slowing you down puts cash into the owner's pockets but not yours... :cry:

My post was more addressed to carriers and O/O's. And solo has a great point. That $12K is net and it comes right off the bottom line. If you earned $0.50 per mile profit, you would have to drive 24,000 more miles in a year just get that $12K back.

Dang that sure is a good incentive to inject some helium in the right foot to get it a little lighter...

Do you think the on board computer readout of your MPG is accurate? I'm wondering if it's good enough to play around with different speeds and gears when on a flat highway?