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slowmover · 08-31-2011, 03:55 PM

I think as you confine testing to a particular stretch of road, and that your notes include conditions present, that your test record over a years time will show an average that can be maintained without always running slowly.

So, to take your mind off aero for a moment:

Another suggestion is an airspeed indicator: Yes, it's nice to have a tailwind to get a one-tank (meaningless) high mpg. But it's the average that counts (and experience in operating under defined -- and differing -- conditions). If the average winds up being 14.75 mpg on an annual basis, then an airspeed indicator allows you (with Scangauge) to, say, speed up a little on the favorable portions of road, and then drop back on the return trip; the goal being to maintain the average rather than a one-tank record.

The airspeed indicator will tell you a great deal about winds on a two-laner with opposing traffic. Finding the correct travel speed is what I am trying to say is not always obvious. The old MOBIL ECONOMY RUN teams would haul ass under favorable conditions . . but it took plenty of work and understanding to know how & when!

Warmups can be minimized with block/pan heaters, etc. If the initial fill is 30+ miles down the road, and the next is prior to entering metro traffic (preferably more than 100 miles), I think you've "captured" the high mpg point.

As opposed to a car, handling a truck ideally means much longer distances for acceleration, braking, etc. And a huge emphasis on mirrors (which is why I'd never go down in size, but maybe in shape). Thus any untoward motions from pure lane-centered-ness carry a heavy penalty at the end of the run as all actions cannot be recalled (so to speak), unlike a car where the penalty is meaningless (almost).

The RV.net crowd probably has an opinion on which of these is best:

Safe T Plus

Steer Safe

The Kevin Rutherford/Bruce Mallinson Class 8 Glider Kit tractor has rack & pinion steering.

.

08-31-2011, 03:55 PM	#82 (permalink)
slowmover Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 2,442 2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT Team Cummins 90 day: 19.36 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,422 Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts	I think as you confine testing to a particular stretch of road, and that your notes include conditions present, that your test record over a years time will show an average that can be maintained without always running slowly. So, to take your mind off aero for a moment: Another suggestion is an airspeed indicator: Yes, it's nice to have a tailwind to get a one-tank (meaningless) high mpg. But it's the average that counts (and experience in operating under defined -- and differing -- conditions). If the average winds up being 14.75 mpg on an annual basis, then an airspeed indicator allows you (with Scangauge) to, say, speed up a little on the favorable portions of road, and then drop back on the return trip; the goal being to maintain the average rather than a one-tank record. The airspeed indicator will tell you a great deal about winds on a two-laner with opposing traffic. Finding the correct travel speed is what I am trying to say is not always obvious. The old MOBIL ECONOMY RUN teams would haul ass under favorable conditions . . but it took plenty of work and understanding to know how & when! Warmups can be minimized with block/pan heaters, etc. If the initial fill is 30+ miles down the road, and the next is prior to entering metro traffic (preferably more than 100 miles), I think you've "captured" the high mpg point. As opposed to a car, handling a truck ideally means much longer distances for acceleration, braking, etc. And a huge emphasis on mirrors (which is why I'd never go down in size, but maybe in shape). Thus any untoward motions from pure lane-centered-ness carry a heavy penalty at the end of the run as all actions cannot be recalled (so to speak), unlike a car where the penalty is meaningless (almost). The RV.net crowd probably has an opinion on which of these is best: Safe T Plus Steer Safe The Kevin Rutherford/Bruce Mallinson Class 8 Glider Kit tractor has rack & pinion steering. .