Fuel saving features

As described in What do you need in a truck?, matching the power and performance of your drivetrain to your typical load and type of driving is essential to getting the best performance from your flatbed. These decisions will also determine the typical fuel economy you get from your truck.

New trucks are subject to EPA rules about emissions and fuel economy. While the reduced-emission engines phased in for 2007 are now mandatory on all new trucks, other energy saving features are optional. Two of the most important for long-distance driving are aerodynamic contours and idle reduction features.

Aerodynamics
Aerodynamic design is a very visible way to improve mileage. This includes roof fairings, gap reducers between the tractor and trailer, and aerodynamic bumpers and mirrors. Overall, good aerodynamics can improve fuel economy of highway trucks up to 10%, which means thousands of dollars in savings over the course of a year.

Keep in mind that these savings are much less on trucks used mostly in city traffic or at low speeds. In those cases, a traditionally-styled truck might be a better choice.

Idle reduction features
Idling your truck’s engine all night to stay cool or warm simply isn’t an option any more. Not only is it against the law in many states, at current fuel prices it’s a huge waste of money. Manufacturers offer multiple solutions to this problem.

The most versatile option is an auxiliary power unit, or APU. An APU is essentially a miniature electrical generator powered by diesel fuel. APUs use only small amounts of fuel – according to Overdrive magazine, they typically use about 0.1 to 0.3 gallons per hour, as opposed to 1 gallon per hour or more for idling the engine.

Another option is additional dedicated batteries. Some manufacturers offer battery systems that maintain a comfortable temperature in your sleeper for eight hours at a stretch. Be sure that a battery-powered system is either completely separate from your starter battery, or has an automatic shutoff to avoid draining your main source of power.

In areas where heat is more important than air conditioning, consider a direct-fired heater. These skip the electricity generation, burning gas to provide heat directly. They’re less expensive and lighter than APUs, but they don't provide cooling in hot weather.

Finally, more and more truck stops are offering shore power, an idea and term borrowed directly from the boating industry. By plugging your tractor in to an external source of electricity, you can avoid taxing your batteries or burning diesel all night.