Anyone working on aerodynamics for mileage gains?

[BHanna]

I was reading on the Cummins website and they say there that every MPH over 55 costs a big rig . 1 MPG just due to aerodynamics. I've found this to be roughly true on my truck as well so it seems to me the area where we could make some of the largest mileage gains on the highway (especially out west with 75 MPH speed limits) is in aerodynamics.



Does anyone have any tips for improving the aerodynamics of a large, lifted, square object?

 

[AJ]

I have been reading a little about it and is seriously considering wrapping the bottom of the truck with sheetmetal to stream line the truck. It is no fun being in the 100 dollar club every other day(at the fuelstation). That said,

I have tried several other things such as SLOW DOWN,acetone,TAG and

currently is playing with a Yuban coffee can(hydrogen generator) which

with careful driving broke the 20 mpg barrier, 21 plus actually...



Found ,among several,this site which enticed me to experiment.

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=870



Another for leisure reading;

http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0710-DaimlerChrysler.html



AJ

 

[opjohnny]

Make it look like a sears craftsman truck like Mike Skinner used to drive! 2wd with the narrow 245/70-17 from the st and standard mirrors with a flat cover on the bed then lower it. Just the exact opposite of the truck you drive. That truck would get great mileage though. Slow down and keep the tire pressure up and no jackrabbit starts is about all you can do.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I miss my '01 HO 4x2 shorty. 80mph and 20mpg all day long!

 

[rubberneck]

buy a 1st gen, seems like no matter what we do to my dads truck the mileage gets better. Its ugly, but it runs nice and sips fuel. LOL

 

[klenger]

The article referred to was in regard to OTR trucks where style and appearance is not much of an issue. Real significant gains were made with redesigning the cab of the trucks and adding an air deflector to the roof. Other than a really ugly topper that tapered from the top of the cab down to the tailgate, I don't know that there's all that much that can be done to our truck to help aerodynamics. Avoiding oversize tires also helps. The bigger problem for me is that my 5er is totally non-aerodynamic. Pretty much an 8' wide barn door.