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I should like to do modifications to my truck as the purpose of it is fairly well fixed. (The use of it; as when we discuss climate, terrain truck spec and use for matters of comparison). Spending money to save money, and when it also relates to greater reliability or longevity of the vehicle as a whole or its components is on the list.
But that will wait until I'm ahead of the maintenance/repair curve . . those, after all, are directly related to FE in minor & major ways. Hurts the wallet, initially, to treat systems as a whole (versus component by component replacement within a system), but really pays off long term.
So I suppose that makes me a hypermiler as, in owning a 7,950-lb pickup, the best way to lowest fuel burn is to run a few longer trips to achieve the ends of many short trips. And to drive the remaining miles with as high a skill level as possible. The goal, here, being to establish a new set of habits around use, not just driving. Smarter driving backed by smarter ownership.
When one looks at the climate, terrain, truck spec under which I operate, a random "other" can also probably achieve 18-mpg around town with only a few changes. But taking it to 23-mpg to achieve the same ends is where this forum makes quite a difference (with several contribuotrs experience prominent to my ends).
The EM side will be in analyzing total time spent at steady state highway speeds (not accel or decel, etc) to see how some aero mods may help. The other items under consideration have to do with, first, reducing warm-up time; and second, keeping fluid op temps high and the higher likelihood of a rear axle gear change. But playing carefully as the rig will be at 17k-lbs or higher with trailer in tow. Terrain & climate rear their heads. Etc. And so forth. A thread or three to be borne of these.
This thread a fun idea. Not sure it is a valid distinction, but I know I have learned a great deal (morale boosting, let's call it) from the EM specific threads!!
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