drag

[Tractorat]

Any physics majors out there.



Im not convinced this will work, probably make things even worse.



Im buying a Thule rack for the back of my truck so I can carry a boat. Im wondering if I were to put a piece of plywood over the rack with the back end jacked up several inches or more than the front end, if, when I pull my TT, that drag would be diminished and diminished enough to get a little better gas miliage.

 

[bulabula]

The gains wouldn't be worth the effort. If it is high enough, it may help to keep your trailer a little cleaner, but you'll have a negligible improvement in fuel mileage.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks for the feedback. Thats what I thought the case would be.



BTW, I noticed that you have a Garmin GPS. How do you like that ? Any problems with getting a clear view of the satellites? Or can you mount it inside the cabin (sitting on the armrest for example) and not lose your connection ?

 

[bulabula]

I've got a Garmin GPS Map 76S. Worth every cent. Its a portable unit, but not one of the tiny backpacking versions. Bought it for the boat; B&W display; waterproof/floats; 24MB memory for lots of charts/maps.



I use it with a dashboard mounting bracket on the boat and a windshield suction cup bracket it in the truck. Its iffy sitting on the seat, but will work; I've used it in airliners next to a window. External antennas are also available, but I've already got enough wires hanging around sometimes. Hiking in forests can inhibit a signal caused by a dense canopy overhead.



I like the utility of mine over the larger, pricier, color GPS's out there. Don't get me wrong, the large color displays are wonderful.



What I consider to be mandatory accessories are (for mine): Mapping software (to set up trips etc on PC); serial/usb cable to move data back/forth from PC, external power cord. I also keep a couple pair of rechargeable batteries and rotate them.