Last year was slow for us and once 2017 hit so did the freight volumes and the truck has been running its wheels off. It has been a great year with good loads and we are enjoying every minute of it.
Driving the Speed Limit
Circumstances and our commitments determined that we needed to run the speed limit to make our day work. Due to the continuous running of freight we were running short on hours and we had a grand plan on how to get basically a rolling restart. We had a load where if I ran hard I could complete the load and get parked with enough time for Bob to get a restart and then we will repeat the process for me to get my restart. We need this to happen due to the hurricanes and the amount of freight that needs covered.
12.5 Mile Per Gallon
Running the speed limit can be a little daunting when used to running 58 to 60 mph and having to step up and run 70 mph or the speed limit for about 649 miles. What was interesting is running at these speeds was how well the truck performed with fuel mileage. Three quarters of the day gone and the fuel mileage had creeped up to 13.1 MPG and then I turned north and the wind started hitting me from the side and by the time I parked I was at 12.5 MPG. To say I was pleased with the fuel mileage the Cascadia was able to achieve at these speeds was an understatement.
Freightliner Cascadia
Running against the limits for 649 miles is normal for many drivers, but in this instance, I drove past my normal quitting time of three in the afternoon on into the evening. We both need a restart to keep moving hurricane freight and the only way to do it is to not switch drivers at our normal time. This meant I drove into the evening and that is really my difficult time to drive. I like to watch the sun come up, not go down. What is impressive was driving the speed limit all day and finding myself in the passing lane more often than naught, but at the end of the day my body did not hurt even though I was mentally tired. Not so long ago when driving that many miles in a day not only did the road beat us up but the truck did as well, not the Cascadia though the truck is very smooth even on rough roads.
We are thankful for the ride of the Cascadia as we are able to sleep much easier in a truck that handles the bumps in the road without trying to throw us out of the bunk. As a driver, the drivability of this truck is a shoulder saver and from reports we have heard the next generation of Cascadia is even more awesome. As long as the freight is this hot we will continue to say yes to loads and constantly watch our hours so we can stay in the income grove.