Boat tail project based on a single wheel trailer...

[freebeard]

Doh!

Of course. I've been watching this from the beginning. Now I'm, embarrassed. I'll not delete teh post though, because...

[BamZipPow]

Got an indicated 28.8mpg at 65mph from Wichita to York. Stopping fer a late lunch before we drive into Lincoln.

[slowmover]

I've forgotten your driving technique. Cruise control for Interstate except where manual control becomes obvious?

Latest work truck has a 13- speed Road Ranger behind a 525 Cummins. 4.6-mpg on a recent 1040-mile round trip at full weight at 73-mph, GPS corrected. I'd forgotten how nice it is to keep a big motor within the sweet spot by splitting the top gears. It's almost a gallon shy of where it should be, but not easy these days to focus in on this problem without losing power via software adjustments. I'd rather have power.

But I hit those grades west of San Antonio knowing exactly when to drop the split yet keep engine load at around 70%

Thinking you might be doing same what with your dashboard insrtrumentation. That, and a quick look to see what's overtaking us. How're those mirror changes?

[BamZipPow]

Got an indicated 29.3mpg from York to Lincoln, an indicated 27mpg from Lincoln to York (cold start), and an indicated 28.9mpg from York to Wichita. At least it seems to be more consistent this time around.

@slowmover, I only take over manual control when the transmission kicks down going up steeper hills but mostly I let the cruise control handle the throttling.

I've tightened up the new upper gap covers and added in some wood supports so I don't have to contort myself in a weird way just to attach them.

Got the usual photo snappers and doing my best to influence the young ones when they stare at the rig. I should mount a camera to snap photos of their reactions when they pass my rig on the left.

I have noticed that some vehicles seem to swerve in towards my rig when they are passing which I am guessing it's from the driver unconsciously steering into my pathway when they turn their head right to look at the rig as they are passing on my left. I don't think it's from the void or the vacuum my rig is punching through the air. But it is something I keep an eye out fer when I'm driving.

[aerohead]

The numbers look real tasty.By summer,it won't be any surprise to see a bunch of 30-mpg tanks.
I think it's the 1WD sticker on the mudflap.
PS I'm still gonna steal her and run 'er up to DARKO!

[BamZipPow]

Just got back from my Northern trip last night. I'll crunch my numbers and see what the overall was.

Gonna take the 60lbs of sand ballast out of the trailer and see how it responds without it in there.

[slowmover]

I noticed some long years ago that passing traffic is oblivious to the lane markings. They unconciously maintain a set separation distance. Thus, if the driver of a vehicle being passed has the tendency to move to the right of his lane, the passing moron will also move right. This is predictable.

You "own" your lane. All of it. Maintain center is the rule. Thus, I have been known to move right up against the lane stripe in advance of one or more morons and "push" them to their left (their unconscious separation distance). Works well. Recommended for the astute driver. One may need all of ones lane. Thus, one is never to relinquish any part of it. Etc.

By the same token, the morons also slow and drift towards what they are looking at. This is what kills construction workers and emergency responders. Brake jab to obviously change speed and loud horn plus in-lane movement startles them. Not easy to affect the mind state of the born stupid. Figure out what works as the threat is real.

Outstanding mileage!!

[BamZipPow]

Here are the numbers...

Total distance travelled: 1895 miles
Gallons used: 75.4 gallons
Average MPG: 25.13mpg
Cost per mile: $0.09

If I just calculate the highway mileage only...

Distance: 1791 miles
Gallons: 69.5 gallons
MPG: 25.76mpg

Had some severe headwinds between Ardmore and Wichita on the way up. Spirited driving between Wichita and Ardmore on the way back dropped my overall mileage as well.

The next mod on the plate is building the new structure fer the wheel pant which will include a cover plate fer the swivel wheel clearance opening. Once I fab up the structure, you'll see how much more robust this design will be and it should hold up to any washboard road.

[BamZipPow]

Looking to replace the air bag spring that I installed on the swivel wheel with a Firestone Work-Rite airless airbag, part number F1258. Hopefully the part will fit (after I cut it down to size) and operate the way I hope it will. I haven't been happy with the constant servicing of the air bag although I do love the ride comfort. Just ordered the part from eBay and it should be here by the end of the week.

Replacement Spring Bumper for Firestone Work-Rite Spring System - 1/2-Ton Vehicles Firestone Accessories and Parts F1258

[aerohead]

If we ignore all the other variables on the trip,25.76 mpg suggests:
*a 35.5% delta-mpg hwy
*a 64.6% delta-drag
*leaving only 35.3% of the original drag,or, a wind-averaged Cd 0.155.And that's with OEM mirrors.
*This number is very plausible considering Dark Aero's form.
Way to go Bam!