I have two top ten vehicles in the trucks category.
EMMA is number 2 in the petrol trucks. 'My secret' was really just to buy a sensible vehicle and drive sensibly. My first tank netted 35% over EPA, I later added a bunch of weight, roof racks and a ladder etc and I'm now sitting at nearly 50% over EPA (partly due to everything breaking in - partly due to improved technique, and partly do to the weather cooling). Part of it was also to buy a vehicle at least one size smaller than I really need, and 'make-do' or use a trailer when I really need it. This saved me about $10,000 in purchase costs and means cheaper overall running costs. It's also more flexible than one big vehicle, although trailers do of course have their drawbacks. Even with the trailer (I started a new fuel log for trailer towing tanks - I'll fill the tank each time I expect I won't need the trailer again for a while), I'm still comfortably beating EPA, and I actually prefer driving with the trailer.
Build thread:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ing-31710.html
Mods list:
LED stop/tail & reverse lights
SGII
GPS (I consider this an ecomod - it's great to have a reminder that your turn is in 200 metres and it's time to DFCO - It's voice activated so I generally use it even if I know where I'm going)
Upper Grill block (Pipe lagging)
LED DRL's (not a legal requirement here but I do think lights on adds safety -esp on shadowy city streets)
Tyres @51PSI - Max sidewall, I run heavily loaded so this is actually a bit on the low side especially at the rear.
Cargo bulkhead - Keeps the cabin cool/warm without having to cool/warm the whole cargo area as well.
I think that's about it, only ~4000miles on it so far, so more to come. I want to build a rear diffuser next. I realised when installing the towbar that the same mounting points could mount the diffuser
My favorite mod is my solar panel, no it doesn't really directly save fuel, but it means I can EOC all I want and know that the battery will be topped up within minutes of parking in the sun (and not much longer on a cloudy day). The next step is to add an alt kill switch to expand my benefits.
My main fuel saving technique is EOC, expect with the trailer, the little 1.6 NA petrol has to drag around up to 2.2tons (4800lbs)! [max permissible train weight is 3 tons]. Then it's DWL and DFCO. With so much weight, coasts are insane, and even being in gear makes no perceptible difference to engine braking. I can be in DFCO and dip the clutch, and I can't feel any difference. Infact switching the A/C on during DFCo makes a bigger difference. Another technique I find useful is to leave the van in gear and switch the ignition off. This let's me force DFCO (where for example I didn't have enough revs to engage it) but has the advantage of keeping the alternator spinning. It's also extends my DFCO envelope beyond the normal ~1000rpm cut off, I often go down to around 500rpm which I can still key back on to avoid using the starter, this also avoids the ECU going open loop.
My T5 is normally number 2 in the diesel trucks category (although no refuels in the last 90 days means it's not actually on the board). No mods other than a partial lower grill block and SGII
UFI currently makes the top 20. Hilariously, if I can manage to get it down to just shy of EPA, it would be the only car in the top 10 NOT to be beating EPA
I've got the 'mods' ready to go so I'm coming, it's an ironic record and I want it :P