70 mph vs 65 mph

What kind of truck is it? Please include the specs please. I will say most of the time truckers have told 5mph means 1 mpg. Maybe medicineman or Bronc can go into further details. I know a Volvo traveling at 65 with a van will get a honest 6.5-7 spec'd out right.

Kinghunter

 

I had an antagonistic fleet manager once that I just couldn't seem to get along with. Our problems were probably mostly my fault, but, I refuse to let a good fight wither on the vine, so I kept him in turmoil all I could.

He announced one morning that he was cutting my truck back to 55 mph. He was picking on me because the remainder of the fleet was to remain at 70 mph. I think he was upset with me over some other issues.

I considered resigning, but decided to mess with him a bit more before I did. The next time I fueled, and each time thereafter, I made sure to fuel next to an owner/operator. I would give them (no charge) 10-15 gallons of the fuel that was suppose to go into my tanks. This killed my mileage by about 1 mpg. After about six weeks I brought this decrease in fuel mileage to the fleet manager's attention. He said I was crazy, stupid, and that sort of dismissal.

The next day I was told to take the truck into the shop for a "warranty" repair. In about thirty minutes it rolled out the door, still without an explanation about the repairs. As soon as I hit the interstate I knew what I had suspected was true. The truck would get up there and cruise at 70 mph, again. Nothing else was ever said about fuel mileage.

 

Oh my lord, what company was this? If you can't reveal it over the web, PM it over to me. That is some funny stuff you pulled. Knowing how crazy myself is, I would have done something along those lines as well. That is some funny shi$.

Kinghunter

 

That occurred in the late '90s, and, this regional company is still in business. I best not reveal their name, even in private. Stranger repercussions have, and, may happen.

Oh! If you want to amplify the fuel mileage difference even more, pay for ten, or, twenty gallons of fuel, out of your pocket, each week for the truck you drive. Of course don't show it on the fuel report. You'll blow their minds. With today's fuel prices, that would be an expensive proposition for most drivers, but ten years ago, it was pocket change.


The point is, if a driver so desires, he can manipulate the fuel, at the pumps, to convince a fleet manager that an 80mph truck can get better mileage than a 55mph truck.

 

Usually when a truck is speed governed it only effects high gear. In other words. to keep the horsepower and torque working like they should you will have full power, and, rpm while in the lower gears. As soon as you shift into high (the "big hole") the truck will fall on it's face.

Yes, your high gear rpm will drop. It will drop right out of the peak power range and from this point forward the truck will faint at the sight of a slight grade. Sorry about your luck, and, I hope you learn to love shifting gears.

Depending on the transmission ratios, and the rear end ratios, you might want to try cruising on the interstate in the gear just under high. The truck might actually pick up a couple of mph, and it will surely attack the hills better. You will also negate any possible anticipated mpg gains your fleet manager has in mind.

 

Most newer engines peak torque is rated below 1500 rpm anyway...if you try
running in a lower gear to mess with the fuel mileage they might just cut you
back even further. I know plenty of owners who would if they had a driver who refused to try and cut back on one the most critical expenses facing
them right now.