Fuel economy at 65 mph vs 60 mph
What fuel economy increase have you observed from pulling your fiver at 60 mph vs 65 mph?
Forum Discussion
SabreCanuck,
Rolling resistance is a constant value at any speed a vehicle travels but air resistance squares itself in value. That's why aerodynamics (resistance to air flow) make so much difference in fuel used/efficiency. The unloaded truck bed cab back is a vertical wall which creates a suction just like the flat rear of an RV which pulls backward on the unit.
The wood piled up on the truck diminishes/reduces the suction effect by filling the void and having rounded surfaces for better aerodynamics. Another factor is which direction traveled when going back a forth to the lake due to the prevailing winds. Due to the Earth spinning and the ocean's currents influence. The prevailing winds in North America blow from west to east generally. Other factors can have some influences also. Gas engines run at high RPMs than diesels to achieve required torque needed to move the load to the speed desired. Remember that diesel fuel has 11% to 12% more BTUs per measure than gasoline and it's the heat expansion explosion force produced from the compressed air/fuel mixture in the cylinder that drives the piston downward and turns the crankshaft which turns the drive wheels. ANY resistance beyond the drive line lowers the fuel's efficiency values.
Rolling resistance is a constant value at any speed a vehicle travels but air resistance squares itself in value. That's why aerodynamics (resistance to air flow) make so much difference in fuel used/efficiency. The unloaded truck bed cab back is a vertical wall which creates a suction just like the flat rear of an RV which pulls backward on the unit.
The wood piled up on the truck diminishes/reduces the suction effect by filling the void and having rounded surfaces for better aerodynamics. Another factor is which direction traveled when going back a forth to the lake due to the prevailing winds. Due to the Earth spinning and the ocean's currents influence. The prevailing winds in North America blow from west to east generally. Other factors can have some influences also. Gas engines run at high RPMs than diesels to achieve required torque needed to move the load to the speed desired. Remember that diesel fuel has 11% to 12% more BTUs per measure than gasoline and it's the heat expansion explosion force produced from the compressed air/fuel mixture in the cylinder that drives the piston downward and turns the crankshaft which turns the drive wheels. ANY resistance beyond the drive line lowers the fuel's efficiency values.
