tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post8050691578659097848..comments2023-11-03T08:07:48.191-03:00Comments on The Daily Rant: Going Au Naturel The Daily Ranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489187226759792239noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post-9524096403598714362012-10-23T08:30:12.290-03:002012-10-23T08:30:12.290-03:00This was a highly educational post. Thank you, Sa...This was a highly educational post. Thank you, Salena and Eddie.Belledognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post-45022776259440890872012-10-19T00:01:31.710-03:002012-10-19T00:01:31.710-03:00Thanks. Guys...Thanks. Guys...ELHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post-8832207543707386602012-10-18T20:21:27.618-03:002012-10-18T20:21:27.618-03:00Right now no one makes a reliable class 8 natgas e...Right now no one makes a reliable class 8 natgas engine. It looks like it will be another ten years or so until it really catches on, if at all. The existing natgas engines that do well are low HP and low torque range.<br /><br />Gil - Thanks, there are more and more stations opening up everyday with NatGas.<br /><br />ELH - Freightliner makes a decent truck and I know many people with Cascadias. They are getting about 7 MPG on average. The 11 MPG figure might be the sales pitch MPG. The Bullet Truck that was designed up in Connecticut (www.airflowtruck.com) is a Kenworth, but Peterbilt makes a similar design and that truck is seeing 13 to 14 MPG. Freightliner warranty service leaves a lot to be desired, but the parts are cheap and plentiful. We only picked Freightliner because of the cab layout and a few other things. All in all, until these EPA regulations are sorted out with CARB (California Air Resources Board) in California, there really is no need to push for a new truck just yet. No one builds anything like they used to. Everything is plastic or cheap metals that rust easily. Its unfortunate.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02904624066020701354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post-50236831195933853142012-10-18T20:13:21.999-03:002012-10-18T20:13:21.999-03:00ELH: I don't like the idea of driving an auto...ELH: I don't like the idea of driving an automatic - I don't feel like you're a "real" truck driver with one of those. LOL As for changing trucks - I love Freightliners, might consider a Volvo or a Western Star. I don't like Peterbilts - not enough room in the cab. But I guess I could get used to anything. :)The Daily Ranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10489187226759792239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post-62657366736714287172012-10-18T10:26:31.299-03:002012-10-18T10:26:31.299-03:00Hey Salena, great post..how many miles do you guys...Hey Salena, great post..how many miles do you guys have on your tractor? And how much longer do you plan on keeping it? Reason I'm asking is the new Cascadias are boasting 11 mpg or better when paired with the new auto-trans set ups..would that be a alternative you guys might consider sometime in the future? I've read that rebuild over to Nat-gas or liq-gas can be pretty pricey and wondered if the cost/expense for a tractor with a lot of miles would be beneficial cost wise as opposed to waiting to trade for a newer with the auto-trans set up? Also, would you guys stay with freightliner, or consider a different line?ELHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12745308.post-46052865973213759812012-10-18T04:39:56.777-03:002012-10-18T04:39:56.777-03:00Norwich, CT, where you went to the copper plant, h...Norwich, CT, where you went to the copper plant, has one or two. Norwich has its own utilities. They run their own natural gas business along with water and sewer like many other municipalities. This being the case the City bought some natural gas trucks. I think that they even have the big dump trucks they use for snowplowing operating on natural gas. Therefore, they have one probably two natural gas refueling stations. One might even be big enough for a rig like yours to get in and out with now problems. Natural gas is cheap right now due to the finding of a larger domestic supply and a couple of other things I missed what the guy said on the news the other night.Gilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17224104422332322541noreply@blogger.com