[slowmover]

Hi, Stomper, and welcome.

If you're an LCO you might have a look at LAWNSITE website to see what others are doing about fuel costs. A smaller vehicle plus trailer might beat out a truck, but city miles are hard when one is pressed to make a schedule. Be sure to work the tax part very carefully (check with CPA about tax-deductible miles).

Lose the lift kit, pronto. A tonneau cover is good if it is also for anti-theft purposes (again, check for tax perspective). Look at some of the "aerolids" around here. Closed-shoulder highway-rib tires -- in stock size -- should be on your list when it's time for replacement.

Do the basics:

- All book maintenance
- Tire pressure
- Perfect alignment
- Zero brake drag
- Zero steering wander
- Like-new shock absorbers, anti-roll and suspension bushings
- Etc

Do you do any route planning? See MAPQUEST and input a few customer addresses (a typical days worth) and use the optimized routing option they make available. This is what FEDEX and the big boys do to eliminate left turns, etc. I was happy to find some real help, here. The "basic" rule is to go to the farthest point first and work back to the shop or house. Get the truck warmed up nice and easy, but thoroughly!!

The best route, driven with new attention, will pay real dividends. Getting the truck as "tight" as possible will help as you wear down during the day. I believe that perfectly clean glass and mirrors, inside and out, is part of this. Less effort for driver means better results, even in small ways like this. In the same way, how's the driver seat cushion? Etc.

Most importantly: Need records of all gallons used. All miles. When they're extra accurate, your efforts to be better will be obvious. That reinforces good behavior on your part. A lot of small stuff (a lot of small stuff) is what adds up to make better FE.

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