Freightliner Classic MPG??

[AZTrucker]

hello everybody
first i'd like to say that i am new here to the forums

i was just wondering what the classic xl does on the galon...
mine is a 03.. detroit 12.7... 430hp... 13 speed...3.70 ratio

whats the best mpg as far as the rmp and speed goes in these bricks..
i will be haulin dry vans between 25-30k pounds..

any info or tips please let me know cuz i never drove a brick before
was allways a volvo guy :P

THX

[AZTrucker]

does anybody know???? i am taking this brick on my first trip on monday any advice to get good mpg on these bricks??? whats a good speed to drive them 60,65,70???

[jakebrake12]

When I dove OTR, I had a mid-roof Classic with an ISX 450 backed with a 13 speed and 355's. Truck was cut at 68 MPH. On Chicago to Buffalo steel loads with a flatbed, I would get 6.5-7.5 maxed at 80,000 LBS. (In was 60 and OHTP was 55 then) Same truck, same weight, and same route with a 13'4" Roll-Tite I dropped to 5.8-6.5 due to wind resistance. Running heavy with the Roll-Tite across Pa, I would be down in the low 5's only running 68MPH.

If you have a condo, you'll do better with the van than the mid-roof. 25-30k is not that heavy, but if you run hilly terrain you will be in the high 5's, maybe low 6's on a good day.

With the setup I had, I always found 65 to be the sweet spot on I80 in Pa, or I84 in NY and Ct. When I was on flat ground, the slower the better. On Chicago to Cleveland trips via the toll roads, I would get mid 7's at 56-60 MPH.

Hope that helps.

[AZTrucker]

thanks alot buddy
i'l keep her arround 62-65 i hope i get high 5's to low 6's
it sits at 430hp right now i havent turned her up to max i wanted to do a trip or 2 to just get an idea because i never drove brick trucks before heheh they look heavy as heck heheh

Hey..
Would you know the aprox. weight of the 03 classic xl with a empty dry van 53,footer???

TIA

[jakebrake12]

Again, I had a 70" mid-roof. With an mt Benson flat, with tarps, strap's, chains, and other equipment, I sat at 29,500 LBS full of fuel. With a 48' 102" Benson, with a Roll-Tite system I sat at about 31,000 LBS full of fuel. I scaled out 50,000 LBS chunks of steel with the flat. On a few occasions, I pulled a van, and could scale 45,000 LBS of paper with no problem. MPG's went in the tank due to wind drag though.

I always found terrain and wind to make the biggest difference in MPG's, not so much weight. I was down in the 4's in Wyoming due to hills, wind, and god awful snow and ice running mt. Made close to 8 from Chicago to Cleveland at 75-80k on a regular basis.

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

Originally Posted by AZTrucker

Hey..
Would you know the aprox. weight of the 03 classic xl with a empty dry van 53,footer???

TIA

Around 30K or less with full Tanks. An XL Classic is simply an FLD with a more pronounced nose and an extra air cleaner.