Saving Fuel Drafting a Freightliner????

[hammersley]

A Must See Mythbusters - New One Tomorrow... ... ...


Be sure to watch the popular Discovery Channel program, MythBusters Wednesday (June 6) at 9:00 p. m. ET/PT. Hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman will test big rig myths using the Cascadia as a central focus.

MythBusters tests whether popular beliefs are truth or urban legend using science.

In this episode, they will investigate whether a person could save on fuel by drafting behind a truck and if a car could exit a moving trailer and drive away. Freightliner LLC's test track in Madras, Oregon, the Swan Island wind tunnel, and the Cascadia's unique rack and pinion steering will be featured prominently.
Don't miss the fun!

 

[Whiskey]

Thanks for the heads up

Now all I have to do is remember it:-laf

whiskey

 

[JApol]

Several years ago I was driving my 02 2500 gasser from MD to FL. I tucked in behind an 18-wheeler and starting drafting him. I don't think he cared much as when I saw him slowing down I would move over to the left lane, block traffic for him and off we would go again. We worked together all the way down to the FL/GA line. I normally averaged low teens but on that trip I got close to 20.



On another note I was drafting an 18-wheeler and he gone on the radio with his buddies and gave that blue 4-wheeler something he will never forget.

I ended up 10' off the truck in front of me, another one was beside me and yet another truck was 10' off my rear bumper. If you have ever been in that situation is is eerily quiet. Just the tire hum with the windows down, no wind noise.



The theory that they are doing is a good one but I can just see it now. 18-wheeler jacknifed on the freeway with a stack of 4-wheelers jammed up behind him.

 

[MA2LA]

I used to do it all the time and you didn't have to get right up on the trailer there is a sweet spot you can get in to about 20 ft or so back depending on what you are driving. but i don't do it any more, except when i was driving a 4cyl jeep pu and had to makeup asmuch time as i could so i was using the drafts to keep my speed up and get bye trucks.

 

[MStrain]

This story is even hard for me to believe but here goes, last year not long after I got my truck I went riding at Sand Mountain, on the way back I was drafting my friend who had a Ford 6. 0 PSD pulling his 24 ft. toy hauler because his truck was overheating and blowing coolant all over under the hood and he didn't think he would make it home to LA. I actually drove 430 miles on a little over half of my 35 gallon tank. He made it back but we stopped several times to refill the coolant reservoir on his PSD (sealed cooling system on the 6. 0 PSD no filler on the radiator) the engine was replaced by Ford under warranty with 36K on the truck not long after that. I usually only get 430 miles out of a full tank but never out of 18 gallons.

 

[MLisle]

I've heard the "sweet spot" for drafting behind semi's is 1 second behind. good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JFlagg]

Used to draft them on my Sportster back in the day. went from mid to low 40's to 50 MPG going down 95 from DC to Fayeteville, NC. Engine did run hotter being aircooled, though I don't think enough to hurt anything. Man, I miss that bikes gas mileage... :{

 

[DennyDay]

MStrain - - - Does this come under the heading "Hold my beer and watch this?"



Denny

 

[PPeterson]

My wife is always telling me, "Pay your own tickets... "!

 

[DragonflyDriver]

We all know the draft is no myth. If they find otherwise, their credibility will be gone. They must be scraping the bottom of the myth idea barrel.

 

[WDixon27]

it's easy enough to tell it's doing good by just watching your egt and boost both go down when you start getting close

 

[Kyp]

Pulling a big U haul trailer behind a 67 Chevelle I had to almost keep it on the floor at 60 MPH. Really a strain on a small block Chevy engine. I got about 3 feet from the back of a Semi's Trailer and could feel the car being sucked into the truck. I could almost take my foot off the pedal. After about 1/2 mile the driver of the truck gave the steering a quick jerk causing the trailer to whip a bit and I nearly had to stop to clean out my pants. I guess he didn't like it. :-{}

 

[klenger]

Tell NASCAR or the Tour-de-France cyclists that drafting doesn't work.

 

[AKaiser]

Hypermilers use a technique called "distant drafting" by staying about 10 carlengths back, someplace before the eddy currents restabilize. Not as effective as close drafting, but it's supposed to work.

 

[Andersonville]

YEP. WE DON'T LIKE IT. Only idiots draft on the road. If you ever had to help pull the decapitated bodies out after they went under the ICC/DOT bumper on the back of the trailer you wouldn't do that. I too will whip the trailer to throw some rocks up for your windshield or a piece of gator for your grill or oilpan. AND PLEASE, YOUNG WOMEN dont drive while sitting Indian style (on your feet) you will NEVER reach the brake in time to stop! Just my . 02.

 

[The patriot]

You can call it drafting, it's still tailgating.

I didnt like it when I had my truck either.

Want a stone to hit that nice new windshield? I dont want to take the time out of my busy schedule to tell this to tailgaters face to face either.

It's funny how people like to tailgate, but thay b!tch like he!! when something hits their vehicle. :-{}

 

[JasonCzerak]

YEP. WE DON'T LIKE IT. Only idiots draft on the road. If you ever had to help pull the decapitated bodies out after they went under the ICC/DOT bumper on the back of the trailer you wouldn't do that. I too will whip the trailer to throw some rocks up for your windshield or a piece of gator for your grill or oilpan. AND PLEASE, YOUNG WOMEN dont drive while sitting Indian style (on your feet) you will NEVER reach the brake in time to stop! Just my . 02.

And the super cool peeps that drive with their left leg hanging out the drivers window. Sure there's a foot on the peddle but if you impact, it' can't be comfortable.

 

[JasonCzerak]

You can call it drafting, it's still tailgating.
I didnt like it when I had my truck either.
Want a stone to hit that nice new windshield? I dont want to take the time out of my busy schedule to tell this to tailgaters face to face either.
It's funny how people like to tailgate, but thay b!tch like he!! when something hits their vehicle. :-{}

Just on my way to work in the CTD, I'm passing at 5mph over and some impatient dumb female pulls in right behind me. And she's wondering why I'm no slowing down quickly. She gets around eventually and is mouthing something at me, I should of blew the train horns, her window was down. heh.

 

[rbattelle]

I draft them all the time. But never closer than about 6 carlengths (far enough that I can see both of his mirrors).

Problem is, at that distance, people constantly pull in between me and the truck.

Ryan

 

[bmoeller]

On another note I was drafting an 18-wheeler and he gone on the radio with his buddies and gave that blue 4-wheeler something he will never forget.
I ended up 10' off the truck in front of me, another one was beside me and yet another truck was 10' off my rear bumper. If you have ever been in that situation is is eerily quiet. Just the tire hum with the windows down, no wind noise.

The theory that they are doing is a good one but I can just see it now. 18-wheeler jacknifed on the freeway with a stack of 4-wheelers jammed up behind him.

Tailgating an 18 wheeler is one of the quickest ways to pi$$ off a trucker. Myself included. Even worse when another rig is on my butt. And, if you do it when I'm in the Ram, you WILL get smoked out.

It is stupid and dangerous. Not worth saving a little gas.

It's funny how people like to tailgate, but thay b!tch like he!! when something hits their vehicle. :-{}

I've seen mud flaps come off before, hanger and all. How would you like a piece of steel and rubber come flying at you? Have heard of them flying into windshields and killing people. Or, how 'bout a tire blowing, or throwing off the tread? That'll hurt you paint job pretty good, among other things.