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Old 11-28-2009, 04:01 PM   #13 (permalink)
bestclimb
Smeghead
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Central AK
Posts: 933

escort - '99 ford escort sport
90 day: 42.38 mpg (US)

scoobaru - '02 Subaru Forester s
90 day: 28.65 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
Except then you have the same problems as with drafting: you've got to keep 100% alert, or you're under the truck :-)

Imagine instead a telescoping/articulated arm with an electromagnet on the end. Come up behind a truck at cruising speed, extend the arm, flick the switch, and suddenly your fuel consumption drops to just what's needed to power the magnet.

If you wanted to get slick, you could even build in a shock absorber for a more comfortable ride.
5th gear, fuel cut off coasting to keep the battery charged while attached?

You could attach a trailer brake switch to the arm to activate your brakes when the truck slows down.
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