Lizzy Boucher

I have a 94 cabover with an N 14 cummins celect. i have 46, 000 lbs rear ebds with a 4:11 gear ratio. I haul a tri axel cattle pot. I'm lucky to see 5 mpg and am usually only getting 4-4.5. Is the gear ratio what's causing my poor fuel economy or could it be something else???
Thanks for your help!

Hvytrkmech

What is it rated at for power/torque, how many miles on it?

Dieselbuilder

Is you trans direct or overdrive

Lizzy Boucher

It's a 13 speed, 460 hp and 500,000 on a rebuild

Lizzy Boucher

Overdrive

Hvytrkmech

I believe your fuel economy is normal for that power/ gear ratio and the fact that you haul a triaxle trailer loaded with livestock. ULSD also plays a roll in lower fuel economy. Has the truck historically gotten the fuel economy or have you noticed a recent drop?

Lizzy Boucher

we just bought the truck a few months ago. The guy before us said he was getting a constant 6mpg but it sounds like that was probably not the truth. Thanks for your help!

Dieselbuilder

You want it to get 6mpg drive at 55 slow down!!

NE frmhnd

If you run it like the typical bull hauler, you're not going to get any fuel mileage. You're not going to get that great of fuel mileage with a cabover, especially a flattop with no fairings, hauling that much weight anyhow.

The previous owner may have done 6 mpg, but if he was he sure wasn't making time and hauling heavy.

tankeryanker

Hauling 105,500 lbs 4 axle tanker truck pulling a 4 axle tanker trailer all hwy use 6 mpg

NE frmhnd

You didn't run it like the typical bull hauler did you?

chaikwa

Real nice guys. Usually it's ME that gets accused of being abrasive and arrogant. Now you've probably scared the poor lady off.

NE frmhnd

Didn't mean to, but yeah, especially with that gearing, you're just not going to get that great of fuel mileage. Might be worth it to swap in some 3.70s or 3.55s.

Tankeryanker's tanks are a bit more aerodynamic that a bull rack as well.

Does the truck have a condo or roof fairings? They add some weight but are worth having. I ran a mid-roof 9400 for a couple years, I could make it from Erie to Wytheville in a half hour less time and get 1/4 MPG better fuel mileage while pulling a Thermoking reefer versus a drybox, all other things being equal.