Date:         Thu, 1 Apr 2004 00:30:45 EST
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: center of gravity and handling in wind / Stay Out of the Wind
Comments: To: jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 3/31/04 11:30:23 PM, jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU writes:

<< . . . I'm finding that the van is noticeably more difficult to handle with
a truck around 50-100 feet in front of it.  At that distance, the wind from
the truck is a problem, and

I've taken to slowing down to get the trucks further away.  . . . >>

The eddy currents churning away behind a big rig can really do a tango with a
Vanagon.  One solution is to get right on the tail of the truck and draft it.
 This is not as unnerving as it might sound.  When the Big Boys are rolling
along they are going as fast as anyone would want to go in a Vanagon anyway.
There is a palpable lessening of throttle input as the van is sucked along, so
it is good for the environment since the van is using less fuel (of course the
truck is using more fuel, but you don't have to pay for it).  A bonus is that
you don't have to worry in the least about what is transpiring ahead of you
and your trucker buddy.  It's sorta the Get-Out-of-My-Way SUV mentality in spad
es.  Considering how long it takes to change the attitude of a big rig, if the
trucker responds urgently to something you still have plenty of time to reel
yourself in no matter how close you are.

Drafting of big rigs works well on bikes, too, especially if you want to
relax and have a smoke.

Common decency demands that you not draft a big rig if you have any
passengers (other than another fool who is also into cheap thrills) or any mouths to
feed.

George