Alphacarina wrote:mandy wrote:
A typical semi gets 8 to 10 MPG, so the difference between $2 diesel and $4 diesel is 25 cents per mile . . . . not a dollar
Don
....A few words about semi-trucks and I'll shut up for a while.First off there is no "typical " semi-truck , they are as many and varied as cars/minivans and suvs.....the mpg of trucks ,like cars for instance depends on a number of factors including but not limited to: the age /size/weight /engine size,horsepower/transmission type/rear end gearing /tire size-inflation and weight of the cargo just to name a few ....you can add driving habits /avg speed driven,whether the truck is idling while parked to run the ac or heat not to mention run their TV-dvd players /refrigerators /microwave ovens... (remember most truckers "live" in their trucks while gone from home)....(which reminds me ....the "avg" sleeper in a truck is 7x 5x5 feet ...sound familar ?
)..
...an older lessor powered(300-400 hp) truck may only get 3-5 mpg.. where as a modern computer controled one with a 500-600hp engine may get as much as 7-8 mpg ....even though both may be hauling the same load.
....the maximium legal weight an 18 wheeler may haul is 80,000 lbs ...this includes the weight of the truck/trailer which can vary from 25-to 32,000 lbs (or more)
...my last truck weighed 31,600 lbs empty of cargo but with a full fuel load of 250 gals....it was equipped with a cat 550hp, top speed of 105 and "avg'd" 6.5 mpg......at $4.70 per gal thats appx $.72 per mile......the "avg" trucker (owner/operator)is being paid slightly more than $1 per mile to pay ALL his/her expenses;including fuel..
....when I started out with my own truck ,fuel worked out to appx 25-30 % of my operating expenses...when i gave it up that figure had creeped upwards to greater than 50% (this was before fuel surcharges became popular)...I was no longer working to make a living ,I was working to support my "truck habit"so I got out...I havent a clue how any owner /operators are making it now...
Just joking