2004 Dodge Ram - had to bite the bullet and get a truck

[non-prophet]

Hi Gealii, yes, I was thinking about a kammbach type thing on the back. Not sure how to go about it, and whether the lack of anything on the bottom back will render it useless.

I will definitely be making wheel skirts based on the fully loaded dimensions of the truck.

An airdam is of course the first thing I will do, being that it's the easiest, cheapest and least obtrusive.

[non-prophet]

Just saw metrompg's post after writing my last few. That's sort of the idea i think I will be getting at for the first incarnation. IN that truck picture, are the top and bottom extensions equal in length but opposite in angle, do you figure?

[non-prophet]

Actually, i might try to build something that attaches to the trailer hitch at the bottom, and loops around the upper door of the topper to get something like that trucks rear end - hopefully in a way that allows the tailgate to open normally. I have a few ideas in mind.

If i manage to make that work, is there any validity in attaching a fake "cowl induction" on the hood to make it more of a teardrop shape on the front end, or should I generally let the shape start where the windshield is?

[MetroMPG]

You can still get an improvement without a bottom surface. EG: see

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-6-a-6069.html

[Fat Charlie]

PM me the VIN and I'll tell you what the truck has. Before you actually buy it, price out a set of 20" tires. Then make sure this one doesn't have them.

[Gealii]

I agree with metros last post even a partial kammy should see an improvement. If you take a look at the kammbachs done on hatchbacks from the side they basically look like a triangle most of the time. Some improvement is better than nothing.

[Miller88]

You could get these trucks with 16'' steel wheels. And the bolt pattern was common on Ford trucks for years ... go to a junkyard and find a truck with the 16'' wheels and make wheel covers out of that.

[BamZipPow]

First mod you should consider is an Ultragauge or a Scangauge so you can learn the best way to drive to maximize yer efficiency. I've had both units and I'm partial to the Ultragauge.

How about a van/SUV/crossover and a trailer?

[slowmover]

Maxmum payload is about 1,300-lbs (link above). A 3/4 or 1t with an 8' bed would have been better. Never want to be "over" on axle numbers and especially tire limits, Get that adjusted empty weight from certified scale. Tire date code and Load Index of same! The business of moving loads predictably & reliably is all about working numbers properly. Any other approach is irrational.

A low aero trailer behind a vehicle carrying crew would have been a better mpg solution. Minivan plus teardrop trailer.

Start with tires, brakes, shocks, steering wander. I agree about Scan or Ultragauge, too.

[non-prophet]

Ok, truck is here. FYI, this one is quad cab slt, payload rating is 1680lbs, but 5.7 hemi shortbox.



A trailer and a minivan setup is not an option. It will never be an option.

A) equipment insurance won't cover theft from a trailer on my policy.
B) vans suck to drive.
C) Any combo with a trailer sucks to drive
D) Any combo with a trailer is impossible to park in any of the big cities we frequent.

There are many other reasons, but really, those should be more than enough. Screwing around with parking wastes more gas than anything else. Especially in those cities like New York, where it often involves circling 4km of one way streets to find a spot big enough.

This isn't for camping. It's a touring vehicle.

Scangauge is the first on my list. I found a place that has them in stock in Toronto. Won't have time to get one until next week. I'm having a lot of trouble getting a feel for how to drive at low city speeds efficiently, so the scanguage is high on my list.

I have my maiden highway voyage tonight to Windsor. Taking a light load because I don't have a topper yet. Found a good deal on a topper that I'll pick up tomorrow on my way back in another city along the route.