Proof that wind is the big factor in MPG.

[RoyF]

I just towed the Hitchhiker II fifth wheel from Arkansas down to the Lake Charles, Louisiana area, over very flat roads. On April 3, driving into a strong headwind, the Ford F350 diesel got 7 miles per gallon. On the following day, the wind had shifted 180 degrees to a tailwind, and I got 12 miles per gallon. I drove a steady 60 mph on both days.

[soje]

Some of you folks are too darn serious and have no sense of humor.
MIGHTY FINE THREAD GOIN ON

[wilber1]

Tyler0215 wrote:
oldbeek, I sure wouldn't brag about drafting for 100 miles in the left lane. What a STUPID idea. Drafting any semi for any distance is dumb but you outta get a Darwin Award.

What are you talking about? Reducing your range of vision to 20 ft while travelling 100 feet per second in a vehicle that doesn't stop worth a damn. It's brilliant.

[tegu69]

Obviously not your personally owned trailer.

[Mile_High]

WeBeFulltimers wrote:
When I drove a big rig professionally for 20 years and had some wise a$$ try to draft me I would give them a good demo of the "Tennessee Waltz". Usually got rid of them, but if not, I would them give them a quick pull & release of the trolley valve. It's amazing what the immediate smoke and smell of burning rubber will do! :E :W

Ya - that is defined as Road Rage and thank god they are cracking down on it. A few of your types spending time in Prison up here for similar stunts that killed a family.

[WeBeFulltimers]

When I drove a big rig professionally for 20 years and had some wise a$$ try to draft me I would give them a good demo of the "Tennessee Waltz". Usually got rid of them, but if not, I would them give them a quick pull & release of the trolley valve. It's amazing what the immediate smoke and smell of burning rubber will do! :E :W

[Tom_Diane]

tegu69 wrote:
I've seen a semi trailer tire tread come off at high speed, but what would worry me more is the truck kicking up a 4x4 or a piece of steel and it going through the windshield.

Yes, That also!
Years ago, Driver ed never discussed drafting a semi but did go over tailgating,Same thing).
It was my dad while riding with me and I was pacing along side of a semi in the left lane and it was then that I got the lecture about driving too close behind or pacing along side while passing and lingering too long beside the truck because the truck might have been doing a couple mph less than me! That was 1972 and then the stories I had heard after that, No drafting for this kid!

[rockhillmanor]

If you drive north and south thru the wonderful state of Illinois you will get to see it first hand.

Sometimes the trip down with a good tail wind I get top rate mpg......but that gets et all up on the trip back pushing into a head wind.

Tulsa is another wonderful city for winds and sucking gas! :W

[Reng8d]

Gooding. R wrote:
Never had a chance to check my MPG because it seem like I always have a head wind no matter where I am going.

Story of my life too....:(

[tegu69]

I've seen a semi trailer tire tread come off at high speed, but what would worry me more is the truck kicking up a 4x4 or a piece of steel and it going through the windshield.

[Mile_High]

The problem I have is Wyoming and Nebraska where every direction is a head wind 😄

[Tom_Diane]

Lets see, pulling over weight on an RV is dangerous and most wouldn't want to be on the road with you?
Driving with China bombs for tires? Wouldn't have them! Unsafe!!!!?

Driving in the left lane causing a traffic back up is unsafe!

Not having enough truck to pull your RV a "no no"!

And on it goes but drafting a semi even for a quarter mile much less 100 miles is safe?

Have you ever seen a retread come off of a semi trailer tire at highway speed!
Safety rule, Never follow or drive beside an 18 wheeler besides the intent to pass! Other wise stay back a reasonable distance!
I drove truck and I would personally not want you trying to draft off of me in the event something should happen that forced me to stop or hit the brakes abruptly!

[allen8106]

Didn't know we needed proof. It's a known fact that a head wind decreases mpg while a tail wind increases mpg. :S

Sorry....just could't resist piling on.

[RobertL0]

Yup, airliners have been using the high speed tail winds for many decades to save fuel...

RoyF wrote:
I just towed the Hitchhiker II fifth wheel from Arkansas down to the Lake Charles, Louisiana area, over very flat roads. On April 3, driving into a strong headwind, the Ford F350 diesel got 7 miles per gallon. On the following day, the wind had shifted 180 degrees to a tailwind, and I got 12 miles per gallon. I drove a steady 60 mph on both days.

[ford_truck_guy]

A few years ago on my last trip out to Elkhart I had a severe head wind... ran through fuel like it was BEER ! Truck stayed in passing gear almost the entire trip...