Do you have $14,400 saved up by the end of the year? Probably not. But what if we told you there’s an easy way to do it?
Fuel is the biggest expense in trucking. We’re talking about $1,500 per truck per week. That’s why it’s the first place to look when it comes to saving money. We can reduce the fuel cost by up to 20%, which is $1200 monthly, just being smart. And this becomes $14,400 in a year! We are ready to share our experience at DOXA LLC about how to make this happen.
YOUR TRUCK MATTERS
First, let’s talk about your truck. It matters! Make sure you have the right truck for the right trailer: high roof trucks are the best for vans and reefer. Mid-roof or low-roof is better for flatbed and step deck. Keep the gap between the truck and trailer as small as possible, because less wind resistance means better fuel economy. Try to get CAT engine just if you do heavy haul, other than that, use a different engine that can get you a minimum of 7mpg.
MAINTENANCE IS KEY
Always do your preventive maintenance and change your filters, fuel, oil, and air more often. Even a quick mid-PM just for filters makes a difference. You won't believe it, but having a clean truck and trailer will have better aerodynamics.
PLAN YOUR FUELING
Fueling isn’t just about filling up when you're low. You need a plan. We use RTS + Pilot Flying J fuel cards and get discounts up to $1 per gallon. That adds up fast. Before you fuel, check the RTS app to find the cheapest station on your route. If you don’t have enough to reach it, put in just enough to get there, then fill up completely to get most of the discounts. It's a strategy and a plan to save money on fuel, not luck.
IDLING IS A MONEY BURNER
We know it sounds crazy to turn off your engine when there are drivers keeping the engine running 24/7. Don't do that! Running your engine all night can waste up to 1 gallon per hour, that’s $50 per night gone. It also destroys your DPF, DEF, and EGR system. Instead of idling, it’s better to get to a motel. Or even better is to install a bunk heater and an APU. We use them at DOXA LLC and it saves a ton. If you need help setting one up, let us know!
WATCH YOUR SPEED
Speed matters too! Each truck is different, but we think the best speed for fuel and safety is 67mph. We know there are drivers running 75mph all the time, don’t do that! More fuel burned, more engine stress. You won't make more money long term because you kill the engine and burn more fuel.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION, ANOTHER TRICK
Try to load more on the drive axle than the trailer axle. The right distribution will help you to save on fuel because the truck won't feel the weight that much.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT TIRES
Tires make a bigger difference than you think. Good tires last longer and save you fuel. That means more money stays in your pocket. We recommend you get good quality tires! We use only Bridgestone, Firestone, and Yokohama for that reason.
Drive safely and keep more money in your pocket!