_-* Challenge for you guys
 

A little back round first, I work for 7up now as a bulk driver ( drop the pallet and go.) Our company's fuel cost have sky rocketed within the last few months. Basiclly our higher up's are asking the drivers on ways to save fuel . So I'm basically asking you guys on some tips. A little background on our trucks.

We have 2 bulk trucks (road tractors, no sleeper.)

1st one is a 2000 Freightliner FLD, 10sp manual, c-12 cat. (My baby 8) )

2nd one is a 2000 Kenworth t800, 10sp manual, not sure about the engine, but probley a cat also

The rest of our fleet are cdl-a and cdl b side loader's, (Freightliner fl-70's, (baby city trucks) 6sp automatic's, engines are a very small cat's, don't know the model of them though, but they can only manage 60m.p.h.

Any and all suggestions are welcome, from easy quick fixes to even the expensive ones. Give it to them straight.

Thanks guys.

Well, no idling would be the main thing I'd say...I don't know if you guys get into truck stops and having to sit; if yes it might be worth it for them to pay for Idle Air or if no, maybe they can invest in APUs so you still get hot/cold air when having to sit somewhere and not burn fuel. They can also get money back on taxes for those. If some of the trucks go faster than 60 m/ph I wouldn't go faster than 65 m/ph maybe even do 63 or 62.
Hope that helps you some?

I go out the farthest ( Williamsburg, Toano, Light foot Virginia), start at to Virginia Beach. , were home every night. I dont go any faster than 65, maybe a tad more on down hill, cant speak for the other bulk driver though.

The real savings come from the basics.

Tires properly inflated
Truck and trailer aligned correctly
Practice proper progressive shifting techniques. (manuals)
Accelerate like there is a raw egg under your foot
If equipped use the cruise control when possible and safe
Properly serviced vehicles.
Keep your speed down

Downhills? Your in VA Beach, what downhills...... :lol: 8)

Try to avoid sitting in that gosh dang VA Beach traffic.

I'm talking more like Williamsburg, yorktown, etc. :lol:


I know, its awful. I'm glad 98% of what I do is on the peninsula

8)

Ok , since this has not been mentioned on the subject of fuel milage I will go out on a limb , wax the truck and keep it waxed . I used to do a bit of flying and my dad was a pilot . It was common knowledge that a clean waxed plane would be more go faster and burn less fuel. I have often wondered about trucks since there is so much area that causes drag.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...nt-job-1zX.jpg

Note to Santa: Next time watch out for waxed planes! :lol:

:mrgreen: Too funny!

I don't think waxing your tractor will help. I suggest the same is true for airplanes, too.

Aircraft are generally... well... aerodynamic. Not a lot of bumps and dips to restrict airflow around the entire vehicle. But they do NOT have laminar airflow (well, some high-end corporate craft are starting to, but as a general rule, no)

This means that the air at the actual surface of the vehicle is turbulent. The cause of this is rivets, seams, and other manufacturing marks. Each of these is HUGE when compared to dust and road dirt.

Same is true of a truck - except that it's only moderately aerodynamic on 3 sides, not all sides.

There would be absolutely no measurable difference in speed or mpg.