A bit of background. I drive for a living, but I have been running heavy haul for years now. I haven't run a truck licensed for 80,000 since 2003 or so. I currently run a tanker, 2014 Pete, ISX Cummins at 525 horse, and an 18 speed.

My brother in law is thinking about getting his CDL again (he let it lapse a couple years ago.) He is considering buying a truck and going Owner Operator. He asked me what he could expect for fuel mileage, so he could figure out rough numbers for expenses.

I have no idea what average mileage is for a standard OTR truck. Running at 105,000 pounds, I average around 5 MPG, but I am sure that is not a good number for someone running a drybox down the road at 80K or less.

So, what kind of mileage do you folks get, if you don't mind posting it? I know there is alot of variation: Engine, Power, terrain, height, gearing, transmissions, etc. So if you can, post what you have getting those numbers.

Thanks!
Offio

 

Most of the guys I deal with are getting from 6-10 depending on the right pedal position

 

Depending on right pedal position...hell yeah! there is alot of truth to that.

Some of the other drivers in the company I work for run flat on the floor, and average 1/2-3/4 of a MPG less that I do. Again, high weight, steep hills, short legs. (run here, stop. run there, stop., etc)

 

My boss used to run 300k cross country back in the day. Not many guys left doing that!
Switch to steer tires on the drive axle and pick up a 1/2-3/4, or get some skirting on the trailer 1/2. You can pick up the mpg many ways otr

 

Depending on how new of a truck he's wanting to get is another consideration.. I'm a certified Mack master and a lot if the fleets run the mdrive automated trans and otr they can get 7 to around 12 in Econo-roll mode and not to insult the veteran drivers but those transmissions know how to achieve better fuel mileage by using proper shift to rpm better than most drivers which also turns into better mpg... Just another option and also just my $.02

 

The name jacker is correct here.. But who likes auto transmissions anyway!

 

Unfortunately not many ppl like them because it does take a lot of control from the driver but on the upside they do have a manual mode

 

Just another GUYS, I ran a freightshaker with an MBE 4000 and a Freedomline 12 speed auto for about a year. Fought tooth and nail to avoid it, but lost the fight. Actually glad I did. That trans has about as much in common with an old 5 speed allison as a corvette has with a horse and buggy. It was a great ride, and when you came to a pass, (which I swear they sent me over every major pass in the 11 western states in the first 3 weeks) you just kick it to manual mode and ride it down. not bad!

Matter of fact, that was the last 80K ish truck I ran, but that was in '03ish.