Trucking Companies Saving Gas Through Technology
By: Drew Moore
Updated: December 13, 2012
CARTHAGE, MO.--- Fuel costs for a trucking company like D & D Sexton out of Carthage can be staggering. Company officials say in order to stay competitive in the trucking world, they need to get the best fuel mileage out of their 170 truck fleet.
D & D Sexton Owner, David Sexton says, "When we started, we were probably a fleet average of 5.5, now we're a fleet average close to seven".
With drivers logging millions of miles on the roads each year, the better fuel efficiency is paying off.
"Our bottom line was affected by the millions," says Sexton.
Industry professionals say more company's like D & D Sexton are looking into ways of making their trucks save at the pump.
"The trailers have all the drag, so now we're taking the drag out of the trailers," says Sexton.
Missouri Trucking Association President, Tom Crawford says "You will see folks that put on super wide single tires. You'll see the air skirts on the backs of trailers, and underneath the trailers wings".
Many of the trucks have an auxiliary power unit which allows the driver to turn the engine off while waiting at a rest stop. There's also a unit attached to each tire that will automatically add air if it starts to deflate. Company officials say they are always looking at ways to get better.
"We can have trailers sitting up in New York City, and I can tell you what the temperature is on my computer," says Sexton.
The company has also used new technology inside of the cab to track workers driving patterns. That's lead to numerous national safety awards for the group. The clutch and stick shift could also be on their way out in rigs as the company has ordered a few trucks that even have automatic transmissions.
