Question asked, can I use a gas burner for hotshot trucking? Yes, you can use a gas burner for hotshot trucking, but before you do there’s many pros and cons. The fact of the matter is that the diesel engine is designed for the constant heavier, longer hauling required in this industry. Where as, gas burners can haul the weight but they won’t be as durable or dependable as their diesel counterparts. The pros of the gas burner are very few compared to the diesel.
Pros of gas burner for hotshot trucking
Yes, the up front purchase price is about 10k cheaper for the gas versions of the 250 & 350 categories of trucks. The cheaper price many people would consider this a good deal. Along with the cheaper basic maintenance, this makes the gas burner more appealing to beginners. Also, the cheaper cost to replace the gas engine in the event of engine failure makes it seem like a great option, but realistically these are the only three benefits I see to the gas burner engines for this industry.
Cons of Hotshot gas burner
Now, when you talk about the cons of the gas vs. diesel burner the list is a little different. First off, the simple drivability while under a load is the first thing that comes to mind. While making mountain passes, the gas engine will live in the higher almost redline RPM’s, where as the diesel will be much more at ease climbing. Yes, you will see an increase in RPM’s but nowhere near where the gas burner will be. Those higher RPM’s are more likely to cause overheating of the engine which can lead to premature engine failure. Also the higher RPM’s lead to much more wear and tear for the gas engine.
Now when it comes to the efficiency of the gas engine, your fuel mileage will drop drastically when under a load and even more noticeably when pulling mountain passes. Yes, there is fuel mileage drop with the diesel, but not as much as with the gas engine. Also fueling could be an issue with the gas engine since fuel storage bays aren’t really designed to accommodate a 30-40 ft trailer. That’s what the commercial lanes are intended for and they are diesel. Yes, you can carry a fuel transfer tank, but that same tank on a diesel would be just as efficient if not more so.
The lifespan of a gas burner doing hotshot trucking will more than likely be short lived. There are some exceptions. There will always be the little gas engine that could, but are you lucky enough to get that one in a hundred thousand truck. I’d rather take my chances getting that one in a hundred thousand dud Diesel engine. I’ve seen Diesel engines of all brands easily still pulling strong at 300-400k miles. They have had external parts replaced, but the engine itself is still going strong.
In Conclusion
The upfront 10k cheaper cost will easily be eaten up in the added fuel cost to operate the gas engine. You’re going to spend that 10k savings within the first 4-6 months. Even at current diesel prices, the gas engine just doesn’t compare to their diesel brothers.
So the answer is yes. You can use a gas burner for hotshot trucking, but you should probably not. In the end you are the owner/operator to make that decision. Mine is based on my personal experience as a hotshot owner/operator.
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