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Gearing is certainly the question for a truck. The ability to get a load underway (and, slowing) is central to the work capacity of a given truck. Next is mechanical condition (as queried above: alignment, brake drag, steering wander). All of these -- along with engine condition & tune (compression test needed), plus tire type & pressure -- are the biggest FE impediments for under 35-mph.
Full warm-up is crucial. At under 30-miles, the truck oils & greases are still below operating temps. Perhaps an even further distance is required if reading the gauges on the Peterbilt I drive is any indication (45-miles before trans & axles come up to op temp).
Steady state highway driving is about the one place that a pickup will benefit from aero (or in a metro region with high average speed, limited access arteries, etc).
The fact is that a pickup is slow to get up to travel speed, and must come down sooner (and more) than a car for a corner or a stop. Thus, better shock absorbers, body-to-frame bushings, anti-roll bar size plus poly bushings, etc, have their place in maintaining a slightly higher speed longer as well as ingress/egress from corners.
On the type pickup I have -- where the average mph is kept at 26/27, overall -- the FE benefits are good. Below this one cannot generate good numbers.
(Am much enjoying this thread. Good work!!)
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