How to average 9 MPG in a semi truck!!

[@kentr2424]

The only way you're going to run 9-10 mpg is a) run light loads, b) run on the plains or flat ground, c) run at about 60 mph, and d) have an APU so the truck doesn't idle long. I was running I-15 from Calgary AB to California (south and north) in a 2017 Peterbilt with a 13 L Paccar engine, 12 Spd automated manual, APU equipped, and the best I could do was 7.5 - 8 mpg in Idaho and northern Utah. Gross weight was typically 75000 to 78000 lbs and speed was limited to 62 mph (100 kmh). If I ran into the Oakland area, I'd then run empty down SR 99 or I-5 to the LA area, and only then I'd be able to get 10 mpg.

[@jptransport8830]

You are right, those are the things you need to do to get great fuel mileage. I'm running under my own authority so, I'm picking all of my loads and I try to stay as light as possible but, I'm never empty. I've had this truck for almost 300k and It's average for every mile put on it is 9.1 A couple of years ago all I did was Indiana to California and I averaged over 10mpg for 90 days.

[@zakchalyn]

@@jptransport8830 How fast were you to going and how heavy? From IN to CA and back? Thanks!!!

[@emranhossain893]

The new 2022 Cascadia gets 8.5 to 9 MPG very easily. There r many videos on KZbin done by third party. Not by Freightliner!!!

[@viarnay]

At 60 mph you spend most of the fuel fighting drag. Reduce it to 55 mph max and you will see the results since the beggining.

[@tonybrandon1968]

Check out Joel Marrow. He constantly gets 10 plus mpg, documented

[@raymond3803]

I'm not a trucker, but I've watched several owner-operator videos. This, by far, the most straight forward, common sense, well spoken, intelligent I've seen. I like this guy. I'd follow his advice. I wonder if the 6x2 Freightliner 116 (I think) w/DD13 & big sleeper (Freightliner makes it, short International don't) would even do better on fuel? Truck has to be lighter. He never said, but this mileage must be running low profile Super Singles. Car - Cargo goes by ship. Ship - Shipment goes by truck. Freight - Like a Freightliner truck goes by train. You drive in a parkway, and you park in a driveway.

[@jptransport8830]

Thanks for the kind words! You must be involved in trucking in some way, you seem to know about truck specs. Thanks for watching.

[@nautilus444]

"I'm cool enough without my truck" I love the humor in your videos!

[@jptransport8830]

I try to keep you guys entertained, Super Dave!

[@nautilus444]

@@jptransport8830 LOL I'm glad your doing well.

[@tonypalomino4253]

Great video

[@ngbanks]

Boss, I would highly recommend trying Bnd automotive oil and fuel treatment. I’ve run it for over 100k miles. Instant 15%+ increase in mpg and MUCH better emissions/engine wear. Also, gold foil insulation on the intake piping and exhaust armor shielding on the exhaust components to isolate the EGT and underhood temps is a MASSIVE improvement

[@jptransport8830]

I just checked it out, and it looks good stuff. I've been using the catalyst from Pittsburgh Power.

[@ngbanks]

@@jptransport8830 honestly, the oil and fuel treatment is fantastic. Couple that with their coolant to reduce engine/block temperature after increased load and you’re ready for it all. Pretty amazing what 1-2 mpg extra will do

[@luisrosario363]

Thanks for the video and tips. I’m starting a lease w Prime this week and definitely taking fuel costs seriously. My goal is 10 mpg. Drive slow make more dough. 😉🤑

[@jptransport8830]

Sorry it took so long to respond. How are things going at Prime?

[@frankmendez323]

He got fired for DWI

[@orvalstuckemeyer127]

What about getting an APU and running that rather than idling the engine between driving, general maintenance like making sure the engine air filter is clean, there are no leaks in the air brake and suspension systems, all tires are aired up properly, and all tractor and trailer wheels are properly aligned? How about other devices like wheel covers and truck side skirts and fenders for the drive axles?

[@jptransport8830]

Yes. All of those things you mentioned are what a person needs to do. I try not to idle my truck, having a APU would be nice.

[@potatopotato8360]

2022 Cascadia here hauling dry van usually at maximum weight. Only 6-7mpg running 65mph midwest no mountains and no idling (APU installed). Stumped.

[@jptransport8830]

You probably are a little bit heavier than me. I guess it all depends on how the truck is setup.

[@СтепанБандера-ы8у]

Dude I’m in the game same way as you do I have 15 Cascadia evo and my own authority do running 62mph and averaging around winter 8.4 summer 9.2 running mostly Midwest to northern Cali and back so lots of hills but I will tell you this there’s something much more important then MPG in this business it’s your dispatching skills, last minute loads and ability to average as high as possible per mile. In my opinion you have to save on fuel as much as possible but best load of the day is the main concern and are much more important then saving a little bit on fuel.

[@jptransport8830]

That's really good fuel mileage! I hear what you are saying about the good paying loads. I try not to talk about rates because all my outbound freight is from a direct customer that is 4 miles from my house. A person needs to keep close track of their numbers and do what works for them. Not everyone has the ability to negotiate really good rates, but anyone can slow down and do what they can to save fuel. Even averaging above 9mpg fuel costs me 3X more than anything else. Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment.

[@mark7362]

I'm going to try to get good mpg just to see how good I can get at it (for the money as the incentive) (I never used to care about mpg in my career) My plan/advice so far is: watch the mpg gauge on the dash (volvo's have em) stay light on the pedal - pretend you're hauling a load that is twice as heavy as the load you're hauling in terms of how slow it goes up hills, roll down every hill in neutral, & keep the 5th wheel set forward/close to the cab if weight allows it.

[@jptransport8830]

Good deal. Slowing down is the single biggest thing you can do without spending any extra money.

[@randgrithr7387]

Aero is king. I recall a study where gaps over 18 inches begin to create significant drag. (Coincidentally, this is also the exact gap I need to make a 90° jackknife.) The tandems follow this same rule! That ~9 foot gap when the tandems are fully back is akin to dragging a parachute behind you.

[@WilliamKayser48]

Thanks for the info, I'm an old guy but knew driver. 14 months in a lease purchase non governed truck but after watching a few videos on fuel I'll be driving much slower...

[@jptransport8830]

You're welcome. It's very important to me, even getting 9mpg fuel still costs me 3X more than anything else in the business. Just remember every mph you slow down, you will pickup one tenth of a mpg. So saying that if you slow down 10 mph you will pickup one full mile per gallon. I would say try to keep your fuel and maintenance cost low and you will do great.

[@georgekelly5987]

@@jptransport8830opinions on cruise control and jake brakes?

[@williampowers3409]

This was helpful. I do the same things and have been looking into other things as well

[@jptransport8830]

Good deal, I'm glad you liked it.

[@abshirnor2126]

This guy speaks my language. 100% agree. I drive 2016 Volvo i shift automatic. I use cruise control and my driver doesn’t so he saves more fuel than me.

[@jptransport8830]

I need a good driver like that!

[@wanderingfido]

What are the full specs of the truck? What does '250 in the rear' mean? Is that the differential gear ratio? What is the gearbox, horsepower, and tire size?

[@jptransport8830]

2.50 is the differential gear ratio, 10 speed direct manual transmission, 505 HP, 295/75 22.5 steer tires and 445/50 22.5 for the drives. It's also a 6X2 truck, only the front drive is powered the back one is a tag axle.

[@tonyzeni9186]

How can u adjust your 5th wheel to close gap between trailer and tractor and how do u know if to close is too close

[@jptransport8830]

My truck has a sliding 5th wheel. When I have a heavy load it needs to be slid back some. Other than that it's just turning clearance.

[@rivertonrentalswy]

What do you value your time at compared to the fuel dollars you save?

[@jptransport8830]

I don't think the time difference is as much as people think. A two thousand mile trip at 65 compared to 55 mph is only 6 hours, but that's a big difference in mpg.

[@truckingforsuccess3113]

Only thing is at 60mph compared to 70mph is you loose 1 load per week if this load that you loose pays 1000$ then you lost 52,000 dollars in a year. Minus the fuel that you paid to haul that extra load. So let's say conservatively it cost 22000$ extra per year to haul that extra load. Are you really saving money ? I agree if you have plenty of extra time on a load that you should slow down. Thank you for the video I enjoyed it.

[@uria711]

This is only correct if a driver hustles. I know a guy who drives 75mph everywhere he goes, but he takes a 2 hr nap every day. So he actually will get to a receiver after i will if i drive 62mph and dont stop except for my 30 minute break

[@jptransport8830]

Every person has a different operation. I haul office furniture and businesses close early. The only time it really makes a difference is when I'm leaving home or on the last leg home.

[@jemhadar5029]

Hurry up to get to the shipper/receivers and wait? I doubt you you’d lose 1 load per week 52 weeks a year. And driving at 75mph everywhere will tear your engine up. You’ll be in the shop more often spending money from all those extra loads you think you’ll get.

[@vroor32]

😂 ​@@jemhadar5029these HAMMERDOWN guys think they winning tryna grab the next load .... Till they crash, damage truck, get a ticket, insurance goes sky high, they go out of business.... And then blame Biden or "Foreigners" for their own failures 😂😂😂

[@JustinD-qh1fk]

If you save $1 you keep all that. If you make another $1 your only going to keep half if your lucky. It’s not just fuel it’s maintenance,taxes etc. so I’d rather save the dollar. If you get 6 mpg at 3 bucks a gallon. That’s .50 mile 9 mpg at 3 bucks is .33 a mile so at a 100000 miles a year that’s almost 20000 bucks in fuel savings alone.

[@ryanjohnson1416]

Very informative video. What is the make of your engine and hp rating? Also, what is your normal gross weight and how many miles are empty? You have a very good business plan for being successful!

[@jptransport8830]

Thank you. It's a DD15 505hp @1800 rpm. All my outbound bound is fairly light 10k to 20k, office furniture with 10 to 20 stops. Back hauls are all different weights, what ever I can get back home with a good rate.

[@ryanjohnson1416]

@@jptransport8830 Thank you for the reply. Excellent tips and insights on how to be a successful and professional driver/OO.

[@jptransport8830]

You're welcome. I hope someone gets something from it.

[@mikeleonard7722]

At this 45 years and new o/o should pay close attention to your message

[@Sinister_Reaper]

Here in Washington and Oregon i get between 4.2 and 4.6mpg

[@jptransport8830]

Wow! You must have some good paying freight.

[@LittleRedsGarage]

I just stumbled upon your channel looking for J.P. Transportation lol

[@jptransport8830]

Haha! I'm glad you found it.

[@emranhossain893]

It's true what he said about milage. In 2022 Cascadia u can get 8.5 to 9 MPG very easily.

[@jptransport8830]

Yep. This truck is a 2014. I'm averaging over 10 mpg for last 90 days driving slow

[@EduardoSilva-xe3gp]

6:40 Sounds like a really good analogy to me

[@jptransport8830]

Thanks!

[@coreybarron907]

Got another question for ya, that 6X2 Axle configuration you got. Do you have the powertrain only accessing the front axle in the rear of the truck? Meaning like there is no drive shaft or differential on the rear axle of the truck? I'm looking to figure out if there is a way I can set that up myself after I buy a truck?

[@coreybarron907]

Also trying to figure out if there is any legality to having a 6X4 Axle configuration minimum in Canada???

[@jptransport8830]

That's how mine is setup, only the front drive is powered. It came that way from the factory. If I was going to build something I would get a normal 6×4, power the rear drive and put a lift axle on the front. That's probably what I'm going to do when I get a new truck. It all depends on how many light loads you haul.

[@jptransport8830]

Sorry, I have no idea about Canadian laws.

[@alfredoruiz9427]

What your odometer reading know and when did you buy your truck I’m looking to buying a 2014 cascadia.?

[@jptransport8830]

Mine has 814,000 on it now, it had 520,000 when I bought it in 2018.

[@commonman44]

@@jptransport8830 so what kind of issues do you have with it after 500k?

[@chuckmarquart]

How heavy are you...... I'm right around 75,000-78,000 pounds all the time , the best I can get is six.... that's running between Seattle Washington and down to the eastern part of Texas.... flatbed

[@jptransport8830]

All my outbound freight is office furniture so, Im pretty light 15 to 20k. What hurts my MPG is all my stops, lots of city work, 10 to 15 stops in each load. My back hauls are always different, some light some heavy.

[@andrewkellerhals1361]

I have a 2ws and average about 7mpg, but I drive 63mph and I'm never worried about time, because my truck travels through time.

[@jptransport8830]

Hahaha! That's good mileage for a hood truck. All those E models are good engines

[@luismanuelmendoza789]

Great video, thanks!

[@jptransport8830]

No problem, thanks for watching!

[@joeyh5767]

Is traction a issue with the 6x2?

[@jptransport8830]

Sometimes with light loads, but not really bad. I like the 6x2 because of fewer moving parts and better fuel mileage.

[@tonyzeni9186]

The cascadia evolution recorded the highest mpg in testing phase...ot was 10. Something

[@jptransport8830]

I wonder what kind of weight it was pulling?

[@paulferguson2574]

New sub from Alabama! Former skateboarder. ( flatbed)

[@jptransport8830]

Thanks for the sub! Me too, I sold my step deck now I'm just a ole door swinger.

[@coreybarron907]

You sound like the tough guy in Letterkenny. :P

[@jptransport8830]

Is that good or bad? I've never heard of it.

[@coreybarron907]

@@jptransport8830 He's the cool guy ;)

[@jptransport8830]

@@coreybarron907 okay, good deal!

[@LivewireTrucking]

I can't average 9 while being MT running 63 mph. Terrain inclines will make your fuel disappear, especially pulling 79k.

[@pokerman9108]

what rear end do you have? if you had 2.64 rear with a 13speed or the new I-shift, you could

[@jptransport8830]

You're probably right. I would just do the best I could.

[@coreybarron907]

What was your differential ratio?

[@jptransport8830]

2.50 with direct drive transmission

[@artme-v2b]

I had 550 cat made it 1.2 mill detroit 750 blew motor my cat didnt have to be inframed but I figured 1.2m

[@jptransport8830]

Good deal!

[@raven7068]

I don't know if it's the MPG or if it's more the RPM that determines the life of the engine. The more revolution the engine turns the more harder it's working. You should put a Fass On your truck and use a fuel additive called XP3. If you own your trailer look into "air tabs" I don't Have a trailer personally I'm dropping hitch.

[@jptransport8830]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Higher rpm in a lower gear won't hurt anything, its usually high speed that goes along with rpm. I'm thinking about trying some max mileage, Pittsburgh power sells it.

[@michaellee5399]

Actually it’s how much fuel you burn not actual miles on the truck

[@elizabethjones6701]

Good video Johnny!

[@jptransport8830]

Thanks, #1

[@elizabethjones6701]

@@jptransport8830 I'll always be your #1!

[@jptransport8830]

Thank you.

[@Vampirical-rv2hc]

Your foot will never be as fuel efficient as modern day cruise control and thats been proven over and over.

[@jptransport8830]

You might be right about that. I just bought a new truck and that's what it seems.

[@randgrithr7387]

On Freightliners, sure. But when I got stuck in an International, the cruise control would actively sabotage my fuel economy. Slowing down before slight hills, forcing me to pedal down to get back to speed. Speeding up at the crest of a hill, forcing me to brake and burn off that energy. Quite literally the opposite of how a Freightliner works in cruise.

[@brandonmartin4837]

As long as you creep along in the right hand lane and stay out of the way so those of us trying to get on down the road .you're welcome to waist as much time as you'd like.but over the next 10 I'd be surprised if you save enough money to make up for loads you could have gotten if you put this much effort into keeping the door shut ,right foot down to maximize the average miles you can put in each day .my humble opinion anyway just came across video while polishing my tanks .for less wind resistance of course 😂

[@jptransport8830]

Hahaha! That's a good idea, I should try that. I try to stay out of the way all that I can. I respect your opinion, that's the nice thing about running your own business, a person gets to make all their own decisions.

[@jeffreyweston900]

What's your average speed?

[@jptransport8830]

60 mph

[@jeffreyweston900]

@@jptransport8830 I take it u also have very low idle time

[@jptransport8830]

Yes, very low idle time. I think another thing I forgot to mention was don't use cruise control unless it is dead flat ground. I've heard that can be 1/2 mpg loss.

[@solomonstello]

Turn the motor off as often as you can.

[@jptransport8830]

That's right.

[@RD2564]

Great job getting 9 mpg on a 2014 truck.

[@jptransport8830]

I appreciate it!

[@ac-ir9gs]

I live in Milwaukee. You're right it's awful

[@jptransport8830]

Too cold for me!!

[@macbook802]

I can double over the road semi truck fuel economy

[@jptransport8830]

Tell me your secret!

[@macbook802]

@@jptransport8830 with lift. I'm thinking winglets strategically placed all over the rig.

[@macbook802]

@@jptransport8830 you better not be stealing my idea, I have patents and lawyers

[@randgrithr7387]

Your theoretical vehicle is now oversize.

[@tommymack6286]

You said it right... make as much money as you can so you can get out of the truck. Then drive when you want

[@jptransport8830]

I took off the first quarter of this year, it was great being out of the snow.

[@mrtee3477]

Drive downhill and empty.

[@jptransport8830]

Haha!! I'd be up around 15mpg

[@martygt3357]

Also drive east only because the wind is out of the west normally. Tailwind can boost mileage

[@truckerjoeadviceshow4390]

Truck drivers lie for no reason it makes me sick

[@jptransport8830]

Are you calling me a liar?

[@truckerjoeadviceshow4390]

@@jptransport8830 Yes, there's NO WAY you're maintaining 9 mpg carrying 40,000 lbs across flat land or hills

[@jptransport8830]

@@truckerjoeadviceshow4390 I haul office furniture from Indiana to Texas multiple stops and lots of City driving. I back haul with whatever I can get coming home, I try to stay light if I can. I drive slow and never idle.