My New Tractor

[RockyMtnProDriver]

Tires

I have found two that I like.

Goodyear G305 LHD Fuel Max and G 395 LHS Fuel Max

and

Michelin XDA and XZA2 Energy

Any experience with either??

[allan5oh]

XZA2 energy is an all position tire and very hard to find.

XDA energy tires are available in 22.5 low profile only, but they have a really good rolling resistance number.\\

If I was you, which I most certainly am not, I'd either wait for the new "enhanced EGR" motors to prove themselves, or go with something else. Have you physically seen one? They're an absolute mess under the hood. Just to do a valve set you have to drain the coolant and remove tons of emissions equipment that is on TOP of the motor.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

XZA2 energy is an all position tire and very hard to find.

XDA energy tires are available in 22.5 low profile only, but they have a really good rolling resistance number.\\

If I was you, which I most certainly am not, I'd either wait for the new "enhanced EGR" motors to prove themselves, or go with something else. Have you physically seen one? They're an absolute mess under the hood. Just to do a valve set you have to drain the coolant and remove tons of emissions equipment that is on TOP of the motor.

I am locked into a time line to get this part of the company up and running. I need to be operational by January and on task by June. I think that waiting for what is new and exciting is going to be a very time consuming sport in our industry. They change the rules as quick as they design the trucks.

This is getting like computers. The moment you buy one, it is obsolete. Everything except the payments. They never go out style.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

XZA2 energy is an all position tire and very hard to find.

XDA energy tires are available in 22.5 low profile only, but they have a really good rolling resistance number.

I need low profile tires for the loads I am carrying. The white reels in the pict are almost 15 ft 6 inches high from the ground to the top of the reel.

In New Mexico, where they go, 15 6 and higher require a pilot carl. So a low profile tire is a necesity. Bad enough that I can only haul them during daylight hours in the US.

By the way, there are many bridges in Denver that are right around 15 ft 6 inches. Makes for an interesting drive. I was almost ready to dump the tractor air suspension at one of them.

I had to sit in Trinidad Colorado for 24 hours while they poled the route to Melaga. Fun, fun.

[allan5oh]

So then the XDA energy tires fit the bill perfectly for the drives. I've had good luck with the XZA3's on steer position, I usually get in between 350,000 and 400,000 kms with about 5-6/32nds left.

Just curious, does the trailer have 17.5 wheels?

[RockyMtnProDriver]

So then the XDA energy tires fit the bill perfectly for the drives. I've had good luck with the XZA3's on steer position, I usually get in between 350,000 and 400,000 kms with about 5-6/32nds left.

Just curious, does the trailer have 17.5 wheels?

I am pretty sure the trailer has 22.5 low profile tires. It is brand new and I have not really had a chance to see it yet for more than a few minutes. I am picking it up on Wednesday and loading it for my first trip with it. It is a 48 ft drop deck Retenour, all aluminum with a complet logistics kit on it and set up for over dimensional loads. The firm we are hauling for bought it for me.

I like Michelins and I am inclinded to go with the XDA's on the drives and XZA's on the steers. Unless I hear something better about the GoodYears.

[chain binder]

Are u hanging out in Lone Star Texas?

[RockyMtnProDriver]

Are u hanging out in Lone Star Texas?

At least long enough to take a picture...

[GMAN]

GMAN, for every trucker that would not go into California, 20 willl. It is the nature of the beast.

Unfortunately, you are right, RockyMtnProDriver. I still fail to understand why so many drivers are adamant about going broke by hauling in and out of California. The rates are just not there for the most part. Some of these owners will haul for $0.75/mile if it takes them to California. To me it isn't worth the extra hassle or expense. I used to enjoy running California, but it seems that every time you turn around they are coming up with some new CARB regulation. It would be one thing if it were based upon real science. Even some of their own people now dispute the validity of the science or pseudo science used to pass all those regulations. I think that it is a matter of not wanting to admit that they jumped the gun or made a very expensive mistake when they began implementing these new laws. Besides, they are likely making a lot of money by implementing them. If they admitted that it was all a ruse they would probably find themselves in a huge class action lawsuit or at least some would file suit against them to recover their money. Some might even try to recover the cost of compliance.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

Unfortunately, you are right, RockyMtnProDriver. I still fail to understand why so many drivers are adamant about going broke by hauling in and out of California. The rates are just not there for the most part. Some of these owners will haul for $0.75/mile if it takes them to California. To me it isn't worth the extra hassle or expense. I used to enjoy running California, but it seems that every time you turn around they are coming up with some new CARB regulation. It would be one thing if it were based upon real science. Even some of their own people now dispute the validity of the science or pseudo science used to pass all those regulations. I think that it is a matter of not wanting to admit that they jumped the gun or made a very expensive mistake when they began implementing these new laws. Besides, they are likely making a lot of money by implementing them. If they admitted that it was all a ruse they would probably find themselves in a huge class action lawsuit or at least some would file suit against them to recover their money. Some might even try to recover the cost of compliance.

I think that it is a Darwinian thing. Those that can think they make a buck in this buisness by underpricing their services fail. Wether they are a single person or a huge company. The single person does it because they want to be "truckers" first, and buisness men second. The companys fail because they make bad buisness decisions.

Those that understand that there are two sides to this. The buisness of hauling freight and the freedom of being an independant trucker and do those in balance (sometimes it is 50 / 50 and sometimes it is 90 / 10 or 10 / 90 )are the ones who do well.

I know lots of independants who fail misserably, but I know more who do well. It is the same highway, the same trucks, the same hours, the same fuel price. The only variable is how they see the buisness side of what they do.

But that goes in all buisness's. Some people belong as buisness owners and some belong working for those buisness owners. Not everything, is for everyone.

[flood]

I looked at them. they look good, I am just not sure that they heat the engine coolant to assist in cold weather starts. That is important to me as I will be laying over in Edmonton Alberta and it can get to -40 here in the dead of winter.

I emailed the manufacuterer for more info and will post it once they get back to me.

i know it gets cold, i had a friend that lived in stoney plain ab that i would go see every year (in feb) love west ed mall. a block heater pluged into the APU would work to keep it warm

[firebird_1252]

you are missing nothing with the jake brake.. almost non existing.. then again i drove the truck a whole 15 miles.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

did you have the one with the jake, or the engine brake?

[no_worries]

Maybe they've gotten better but the automated 18-speeds used to be pretty "shifty". It didn't take much of a change in rpm's for the tranny to change gears resulting in lost efficiency and increased wear-and-tear...not to mention the annoyance factor. Pulling regular weights, a 13-speed would do the trick, though you would probably need a lower rear-end ratio. Maybe those 18-speeds have improved, or you could just put it in manual when need be. As somebody who enjoys having an automated transmission, a good driver will be able to get better fuel economy with a manual.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

Maybe they've gotten better but the automated 18-speeds used to be pretty "shifty". It didn't take much of a change in rpm's for the tranny to change gears resulting in lost efficiency and increased wear-and-tear...not to mention the annoyance factor. Pulling regular weights, a 13-speed would do the trick, though you would probably need a lower rear-end ratio. Maybe those 18-speeds have improved, or you could just put it in manual when need be. As somebody who enjoys having an automated transmission, a good driver will be able to get better fuel economy with a manual.

That was one of the things I was wondering. More than likley I woul drive it in Manual mode for most of the time and downshift manually when I wanted. I would still like to have control of the truck, but with a buton and not a clutch/stick.

[firebird_1252]

did you have the one with the jake, or the engine brake?

engine if i'm not mistaken. very very very very quiet.

[GMAN]

I think that it is a Darwinian thing. Those that can think they make a buck in this business by underpricing their services fail. Werther they are a single person or a huge company. The single person does it because they want to be "truckers" first, and business men second. The company's fail because they make bad business decisions.

Those that understand that there are two sides to this. The business of hauling freight and the freedom of being an independent trucker and do those in balance (sometimes it is 50 / 50 and sometimes it is 90 / 10 or 10 / 90 )are the ones who do well.

I know lots of independents who fail miserably, but I know more who do well. It is the same highway, the same trucks, the same hours, the same fuel price. The only variable is how they see the business side of what they do.

But that goes in all business's. Some people belong as business owners and some belong working for those business owners. Not everything, is for everyone.

I have owed several companies over the years. I have NEVER used price as a selling feature with any of them. I feel that if the only thing you have to sell is a cheap price then you have nothing to offer. Those who make it in business don't do it by being the cheapest.

Most businesses have a high failure rate. This industry is no exception. I think the difference between this industry and others is the low cost of entry compared to most other types of businesses. Not everyone is cut out to run a business. Some people should never own a business. But, you may never know if you are one who is cut out for it until you try. 90% of businesses fail. But, 10% succeed. I think the difference between those who make it and those who fail is commitment and perseverance. You have to commit to being successful. You need to commit to doing what is necessary to be successful. And the most important thing is perseverance. You keep at it until you are successful. One other thing is being flexible. Some people keep doing the same thing the same way even though what they are doing is not working for them. You must remain flexible and be willing to change to meet changing market and economic conditions. That doesn't mean that you need to give your services away, but if something isn't working for you that you need to try a different direction. I don't recall hearing of any company who has become successful by giving away their services or selling them for less than it costs to offer those services and without making a profit.

It is easy for some to sit on the sidelines and criticize those of us who are in business. I find that those who are most critical are the ones who have never made it on their own. They are the ones who have never been able to make it on their own. Yet, they can tell those of us who have managed to survive for several decades through good and bad economies how we should run our businesses. They could not make it on their own, yet they know how we should run our business in order to be successful. I have had drivers who would run cheap loads just to keep moving (I pay percentage). It doesn't make any difference if it is profitable or not, only that they keep moving. There are owner operators and carriers who have the same attitude.

We hear a lot of criticism from drivers and some owner operators about brokers and cheap rates. What they don't realize is that the reason some rates are cheap is because of an owner operator or carrier who is willing to take that cheap load. With all the criticism it isn't the shipper or broker who determines the rate, but the carrier. When an owner operator or carrier takes a load then he is setting the rate. If he sets that rate at or below his operating cost then he will ultimately fail unless he changes the way in which he does business.

[no_worries]

That was one of the things I was wondering. More than likley I woul drive it in Manual mode for most of the time and downshift manually when I wanted. I would still like to have control of the truck, but with a buton and not a clutch/stick.

It's definitely nice not having a shifter in the middle of the floor; makes the cab roomier. I usually manually shift through the low range, but with a 10-speed, that's only a few shifts. There will be many more shifts with an 18. I have the pad as the interface and I'm not terribly confident in its robustness. They aren't cheap to replace. Always a trade-off when you let electronics take over.

[YerDaddy]

KISS - keep it simple, stupid!

auto shift trans cons - extra wires and moving parts to wear/break

Computer controlled engine cons - see above

Warranty doesn't pay down time or lost revenue.


Keep your old truck and drop in a mechanical CAT. Best advice you'll get on this board.

Good luck with those payments.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

KISS - keep it simple, stupid!

auto shift trans cons - extra wires and moving parts to wear/break

Computer controlled engine cons - see above

Warranty doesn't pay down time or lost revenue.


Keep your old truck and drop in a mechanical CAT. Best advice you'll get on this board.

Good luck with those payments.

Lets run the numbers

Mechanical CAT 4 mpg on a good day

Electronic engine 8 mpg on a good day

150,000 miles per year

Total cat cost for fuel $110,000 per year

Total electronic cost for fuel $55,000

$55,000 more to run cat

total payments per year for brand new tractor

$35,000

Ancor for tractor once engine has been installed (beacause the Jake is non-existant

$1,000

Hireing a wreker to pull you up the hills becaue you dont have enough power to pull them

$5,000

But I can see you logic

I am going to take it a bit further

I am going to sell my brand new motorcycle and get a mid 60's Harley AND sell my new truck and get an old one.

It might me KISS (keep it simple stupid) but it should never be YCBTS (you cant be that stupid)