Fuel Efficient Custom Sleeper Trucks

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Each custom ordered truck is a unique opportunity to 

  • to take best advantage of the technology of the day  to make more money (a higher mileage operation might pay for the truck on fuel cost savings alone*) 
  • express ones individuality 
  • own a truck with a premium set of specifications that is most likely to last for many tomorrows.  (RELIABILITY, RESALE VALUE)

 

There are a  few key specification differences among the custom sleeper trucks on this page...  All were custom ordered and focused on fuel efficiency.  

The fuel efficiency approach was unique and matched to the buyer for each unit.   

No custom truck is ever the same as another just as as future trucks will be somewhat different than the most successful of those shown.  

But, there are some key similarities, too.

If you are interested in top fuel mileage, you might call Lynn...  especially, if you are curious as to what works well and what worked not so well and how the results sync with the recommendations of the various experts... 

 

Kenworth' with Custom Sleepers Since 1886

 at Fort Wayne Truck Center 

 

* vs. many "hood" designs

 

The interesting thing about achieving  great fuel efficiency numbers is that they tend to be addictive.  It is human nature that if you get the good numbers one time, you want to do it again, and again... then you tend to want to do even better.  Each successful trip can be kind of like winning a lottery.  

Fuel cost savings over the owners previous trucks, that alone, is paying for several of the trucks shown below. ( from low  5. mpg or so to 6 and often significantly higher. )

Below are samplings of a few custom ordered custom sleeper trucks I have recently had built for my customers where fuel mileage was a key spec concern.  The end result is that they all get better than average fuel economy, but there are spec differences and some have done better than others.

To get the best heavy truck fuel mileage, much has to do with the truck spec.  With each of these units we pretty much pulled out all the most proven set of available specs that matched the needs of  operator at the  time.

Well thought out specs make  it much easier for a drivers to achieve above average fuel mileage.  But, it is ultimately the driver who has the greatest control over how much fuel is used.  Spec's can just make the job easier.   The  owner/driver of the red truck to the right knows and practices all the tricks ->

2007 - first trip middle 7's best run so far 9.0mpg

120" ICT Sleeper

more...

 

There are no one or two spec item(s) that will enable great fuel mileage... fuel specs are a system of specification nuances, some obvious, some not so obvious.  Then, an operator who takes advantage of what he or she has.

 

This 1992 truck has over 1.5 million miles and has recently averaged well over 8 MPG but it is running at slower speeds (55mph-65mph).  If it had done that well since the early 90's ... @ $3.00 fuel they would have saved over $255,000 vs. a 5.5 MPG truck!   96" Double Eagle

This may be my oldest custom ordered custom sleeper truck that is still running with the original owners.  more...

 In the right light: Awesomely beautiful(see above).  High horsepower Averages about 6.5 mpg 126" ICT more...
This one is very, very nice, but we were a little disappointed in the fuel mileage,  as we hoped for the high 6's. - High HP, Auto Shift,  Super singles - low 6mpg's. Speed limit running and 80,000 lb. all the time.  more... 132" ARI

120" ICT - Mo Sleeper Opening

At left is another custom sleeper truck that has done well, ...120" rear bed...  hauling light weight fast freight at 68-70mph  ...we were shooting for high sixes mpg.  ( will reach 500,000mi and time for another truck -fall 08 - and be for sale - life to date is 6.5mpg... call... if you can hold your speed to below 65mph you may get a lot of 7's+ ))>  >It shares the same super single tires of  the unit above.  I don't expect to be using that tire again.  Another issue is both of these trucks have an automated transmission. >  >I am beginning to think that good drivers can get better fuel mileage with a manual transmission?  Maybe 2-3 tenths... depending? 
6.6 MPG first trip tight engine... buyers' delighted! 65mph

This truck now has a transition fairing like the Orange truck below and the 1992 above - so it is doing a little better yet. more

buyers report20,000 mi. later 70-75 MPH

 6.62 MPG

Running empty, Chris has reported 9 mpg a couple times so far -  I know - empty usually doesn't pay much. :( 

OrangeT6_120.JPG (62168 bytes) I will be delivering the Orange unit to the left in a few days.  I will let you know how it does, too. not so good... 5's. Too much HP, too fast, too young... there is a cautionary tale in this story.
At 80,000 miles, the worst mileage so far was 6.02...  normally the fuel mileage runs mid to high sixes and into the sevens.
Truck specifications represent a continuous evolution.  Can I help you build your own super truck?  

Lynn Doctor 260-740-2366

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