1395 miles without refueling

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An interesting thing happened the other day ... I was sent to Gaston, SC to pick up a load of pet food. It weighed just over 40k lbs and was going 1400 mi away to New Brunswick, Canada. My last fuel-up in the USA was at the Dysart's Truck Stop at x. 180 on I-95 near Bangor, Maine. After which I delivered the load to the town of Dieppe near Moncton, NB; returned to Auburn, ME, picked up a load and drove to Guelph, ON - all without refueling. When I rolled into our yard in Guelph, the fuel gauge still showed above the minimum level (above the yellow field but below the 1/4 mark); and I would hear the low fuel alarm if the truck's nose was going up or down on a hill.

All in all I did 1,395 mi and it took 186 U.S. gallons to fill the tanks up at the yard. Which means I did 7.5 MPG! That's real, not the ECM. The ECM still showed the eternal 7.1 MPG.

OK, here's why the fuel mileage was so good. Out of 1,395 miles I did:

- 300 mi loaded with 40k lbs from Bangor, ME to Dieppe, NB (Can.) Huge hills in NB!
- 400 mi empty from Dieppe, NB to Auburn, ME
- 680 mi loaded with ... 1,010 lbs (!) of auto rubber mats from Auburn, ME to Guelph, ON (Can.)
- 15 mi empty from the consignee in Guelph to our yard in the same city.

All this time I pulled a 53 ft dry van and my speed was 59-60 MPH (1,350 RPM). The engine is CAT C15 turned up to max horse power and torque. So, even with a big engine you can get decent fuel mileage if you run slow and have a light load.

BTW, this is my last dry van run, as I'm waiting for the trailer dealer to tell me I can start heading to Missouri to get my Wilson step. They started the production on Aug 10th, and should finish Friday, Aug 14th.

[heavyhaulerss]

I have many times got 7.6 7.8 m.p.g running fron indy to g.r. MI & back. 45,000 wt going up 43,000 coming back. 55 m.p.h in MI. 60-62 in IN. I think the biggest factor was I hauled skidded steel coils up & fire brick back. the loads had no wind resistance. compared to when I hauled plastic pipe, 25,000 lbs 13ft high & got 4.3 m.p.g even though my rpm's run higher than most60 m.p.h @ 1500 rpm's I am still happy with my lil 350 h.p. det. the fuel mileage savings over 10 years has paid for so much. I will also say that hywy tires gave me a lot better m.p.g than my lug's, but the lug tires lasted twice as long, but cost 100.00 more per tire. some react as if I am lying when I tell em my m.p.g. they just look at my cabover truck with over a mil miles & no major work done to it, & they think no way it get's good m.p.g.

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I have many times got 7.6 7.8 m.p.g running fron indy to g.r. MI & back. 45,000 wt going up 43,000 coming back. 55 m.p.h in MI. 60-62 in IN. I think the biggest factor was I hauled skidded steel coils up & fire brick back. the loads had no wind resistance. compared to when I hauled plastic pipe, 25,000 lbs 13ft high & got 4.3 m.p.g even though my rpm's run higher than most60 m.p.h @ 1500 rpm's I am still happy with my lil 350 h.p. det. the fuel mileage savings over 10 years has paid for so much. I will also say that hywy tires gave me a lot better m.p.g than my lug's, but the lug tires lasted twice as long, but cost 100.00 more per tire. some react as if I am lying when I tell em my m.p.g. they just look at my cabover truck with over a mil miles & no major work done to it, & they think no way it get's good m.p.g.

I like cabovers. Too bad Freightliner doesn't sell here the Argosy anymore. I remember you writing about the low weight of your truck that helped you get more loads...

[Rev.Vassago]

I like cabovers. Too bad Freightliner doesn't sell here the Argosy anymore. I remember you writing about the low weight of your truck that helped you get more loads...

I want an Argosy like this: Twins Custom Coaches | Gallery

[Copperhead]

Since I disabled the EGR on my ISX, I have consistent mid 7's month after month, pump to pump. The ECM is showing high 7's most of the time. My ISX seems to absolutely love 1400 RPM, fine balance between power and mpg. 1400 puts me on 64-65 with 3.42 rears and a 13 spd in an International 9400. I pull an average of 38,000 payload. Mostly operate PA - CO area, usually staying north of I70 / I44. Lot of two lane running, and if 55 speed limit, I will drop to 12th and run about 1450 rpm which puts me on about 58 except in Illinois where I will consistently run in the top hole at 1300 / 60 mph. I rarely operate the engine outside of 1300 - 1500 rpm.

[Rev.Vassago]

Since I disabled the EGR on my ISX, I have consistent mid 7's month after month, pump to pump. The ECM is showing high 7's most of the time. My ISX seems to absolutely love 1400 RPM, fine balance between power and mpg. 1400 puts me on 64-65 with 3.42 rears and a 13 spd in an International 9400. I pull an average of 38,000 payload. Mostly operate PA - CO area, usually staying north of I70 / I44. Lot of two lane running, and if 55 speed limit, I will drop to 12th and run about 1450 rpm which puts me on about 58 except in Illinois where I will consistently run in the top hole at 1300 / 60 mph. I rarely operate the engine outside of 1300 - 1500 rpm.

My ISX is the same way. Anything above 1500 RPM and it just feels like it is screaming.

[allan5oh]

120 gallon tanks like me? I've done 1500 miles a few times.

[BanditsCousin]

I'd like more info on disabling the EGR on an ISX. I just went through my 2nd EGR valve in 4 months on mine. I avg 5.2mpg lifetime avg on mine so far, with 16% idle time and 49.7% of engine run time in top gear (according to my latest printout). I got the Tripac installed about a year ago, so I expect that number to change dramatically since I'm no longer idling. My idle was excessive due to sitting a lot in warm areas, or idling to keep my lil pug cool when loading hhg in areas like Phoenix and Las vegas while I would load hhg for a number of hours.

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I want an Argosy like this: Twins Custom Coaches | Gallery

I'd prefer this one. This is a Renault Magnum they make for Germany.

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1400 puts me on 64-65 with 3.42 rears and a 13 spd in an International 9400. I pull an average of 38,000 payload.

3.42 ... that's fast .. i wanted to change my rears to that. but with 2,000 torque and 3.73 rears now i'm killing everybody on hills but of course everybody passes me on flat.

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120 gallon tanks like me? I've done 1500 miles a few times.

i have special tanks the tag on them says, "150 gal US, 142 (I think) usable". Even when I'm totally empty I haven't been able to put more than 180 something gal of fuel in the both. The tanks look clean inside, so I don't know ... they're probably 120 gal, not 150. But 1500 mi without refueling? that's amazing. You probably did over 8 mpg.

[Musicman]

I'd like more info on disabling the EGR on an ISX. I just went through my 2nd EGR valve in 4 months on mine.

Agreed. Definately would like more info on this as well. What effect does it have on the catalytic muffler, or do you remove that as well? It doesn't screw with the truck's ECM? I'd think the exhaust sniffers would be sending all kinds of warnings to the ECM.

[BigDiesel]

I'd like more info on disabling the EGR on an ISX. I just went through my 2nd EGR valve in 4 months on mine. I avg 5.2mpg lifetime avg on mine so far, with 16% idle time and 49.7% of engine run time in top gear (according to my latest printout). I got the Tripac installed about a year ago, so I expect that number to change dramatically since I'm no longer idling. My idle was excessive due to sitting a lot in warm areas, or idling to keep my lil pug cool when loading hhg in areas like Phoenix and Las vegas while I would load hhg for a number of hours.

With a cold engine (after it has been shutdown for 6-8 hrs) turn the key to the on position for about 15 seconds (do not start) let the egr close. Then simply unplug it..... Your ISX will run cooler and get better mpg.

[Rev.Vassago]

With a cold engine (after it has been shutdown for 6-8 hrs) turn the key to the on position for about 15 seconds (do not start) let the egr close. Then simply unplug it..... Your ISX will run cooler and get better mpg.

Wouldn't that give a check engine light? Would you have to do this every time the truck is started?

[BigDiesel]

Wouldn't that give a check engine light? Would you have to do this every time the truck is started?

It shouldn't, but it will throw a code. No harm no foul, but the engine needs to be out of warranty from Cummins. Make sure the connectors are taped and secured to keep out moisture and dirt.

[Musicman]

Hmmmmmmmmmm, I think I might try this in the morning. What about you, Rev? You got an ISX you want to try it out on?

[skrissel]

With a cold engine (after it has been shutdown for 6-8 hrs) turn the key to the on position for about 15 seconds (do not start) let the egr close. Then simply unplug it..... Your ISX will run cooler and get better mpg.

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try. Is anyone else running like this? I'm also about to hook up a hydrogen generator on my ISX. I have gained 1mpg with one on my Series 60 in my other truck. Well worth the $.

-scott

[Musicman]

Well, I just tried it. Runs like a charm... bobtailing, anyway. We'll see in a week or so about fuel economy and power. I'm still concerned if there will be any shortening of the life of the catalytic muffler... I've heard they cost around $3000, though I've never had to replace one.

[Rev.Vassago]

Hmmmmmmmmmm, I think I might try this in the morning. What about you, Rev? You got an ISX you want to try it out on?

I do, but I'm still under warranty until next June.

[Copperhead]

I have been running with the EGR in "test mode" (unplugged) for some time now. My latest oil sample came back from the lab... a few points lower iron, lead, etc and WAY less soot... .2 in 25,000 miles without a bypass filter. Even the oil looks cleaner longer, visually. Even on a hot day with the AC on and under a good pull on a hill, the engine rarely exceeds 195F. Fan cycles way less than with the EGR plugged in. ECM shows a mpg average now in the high 7's, but actual pump to pump is averaging around 7.3-7.4 . Throws on fault code, but it just shows up as an electrical disconnect on the Cummins test software. Dealer could care less that the EGR is unplugged and is facinated how well it is working.