 |
I met Joel Boleman a few years ago at the Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, KY. He ended up purchasing a Freightliner Cascadia Mid Roof within the last year. As a flatbed owner operator, Joel is in high pursuit of attaining fuel efficiency. I asked him to share his story as I think all too often flatbed operations declare that they face too many obstacles to attain fuel economy. You can read Joel’s story below.
My journey to fuel efficiency began as an “after thought.” Before I bought my first truck, I asked several independent mechanics what motor they would want in their truck. All chose Detroit Series 60 first. I was already a Freightliner fan so when I found a used 1991 FLD 120 with a 11 liter Series 60 and a 9 speed I figured I had the right truck. For a couple years I used that truck to pull a dry van delivering seed and a hopper bottom for hauling grain. I thought 6.5 mpg was really good.
The next step was moving to pulling a flatbed and buying another truck for that operation. I narrowed my choices down to two trucks. An FLD120 mid roof with a 500 horse 14 liter Series 60 or a Century midroof with a 12.7 Series. I fortunately asked each dealer for an engine report. After comparing the trucks the deciding factor was fuel economy. The FLD had a lifetime average at 5.0 and the Century was 6.8 mpg for its lifetime. My heart wanted the FLD but I could not justify the equivalent of 6 months of truck payments going out the exhaust pipes.
The Century improved its fuel economy with the addition of a Turbo 3000D and cruising at 62 mph. Consistent 7.3 mpg were the norm. Then tragedy struck and the truck was going to be totaled. I knew the motor and transmission were good and fuel efficient so I bought the truck back from the insurance company and put the motor and transmission into a new Coronado glider. I finally had my "traditional" style truck with what I hoped would continue to be a fuel efficient drive train. It worked!
I added AirTabs and gained both fuel efficiency and stability.
Seven years later it was getting time to replace the truck and I was fortunate to be able to go to MATS in 2015. I was parked Wednesday afternoon and while walking back from supper, I looked at the blue Cascadia and the drive train information. By chance or fate, Henry Albert came around and asked if I had any questions. For the next two hours I quizzed Henry about his truck and his fuel efficiency goals. Two days later Henry grabbed me off the convention floor and asked if I had signed up to test drive the Cascadia. When I replied no, he didn't take that as an appropriate answer. Henry checked the test drive schedule and we were soon out the door and driving around the convention center.
In order to get the specifications I wanted in my next truck, I had to special order being either another glider or new truck. Brian at Harrison Freightliner worked with me for 4 hours two days in a row and a deposit was made on a new Cascadia with the DD15 down sped engine and DT12 automated transmission in the 6X2 drive axles and 2.28 ratio.
With Henry's mentoring the past 3 months I am happy to report that I have an average 7.95 mpg for 90 days. My best run has been 8.65 and the worst is 7.09. I have broken the 8 barrier with 40,000 plus on the trailer with zero empty miles. I have a couple more strategies to try to get into the 9 range with a flatbed.
I appreciate the assistance I have received from Henry Albert and the entire Team Run Smart crew.
Sometimes the journey to a new truck starts with a stranger asking, "Do you have any questions?"