[raccoonjoe]

Currently running a 1996 C2500, with the 6.5 diesel. I use this truck for both escorting (pilot car for oversize loads), and OTR driving pulling contract freight, mainly travel trailers. This means that I put an incredible amount of mileage on my truck, I've been averaging LOF every 8 days. (5-7k miles).

The most important things for me are clean looks, increased mpg loaded or empty, and increased stability in cross winds.

I've been doing a fair amount of research, and have come up with some good ideas over the past few months. I am looking for some experience, and some opinions, as to which direction I need to go in.

Option 1: Full belly pan (near as I can). Issues would be melting it on the exhaust, allowing for rear axle flex, and dealing with the massive amount of heat that builds from that big diesel up front.

Option 2: Side skirts. No real issues that I can see here, with the exception of looks, and access clearance to the bottom of the truck.

Option 3: Deflector/spoiler for the rear. Issue here would be removing it to allow for gains while running dead-head miles.

Option 4: Duck tail off the back of the cab? Not real sure about that, though.

Whichever way I go with, a few key points need to be considered: The mods need to be effective while loaded with a travel trailer, or empty. (or in the case of the spoiler, removable/collapsible). I need easy (and frequent) access to the bed, for my tools and aux. fuel tank. Easy access to key components under the truck would be very nice, as I said, I run a lot of miles, and maintenance is a weekly adventure. And most importantly, it needs to be a clean, factory-looking install, so I don't draw attention from DOT.


Shoot me ideas! I've got some mechanical upgrades coming to help, but I've got to be able to do better than 11.2 loaded (with travel trailer) and 19.5 (empty, with cruise set at 62-64)