Date:         Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:35:23 -0700
Reply-To:     Aristotle Sagan <killer.jupiter@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aristotle Sagan <killer.jupiter@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Drafting for better MPG
Comments: To: Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <5ebe10a0806201841n1fb5ad08yadf8b5a15934c4cf@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Sometimes I am amazed at the conversations on this list.

1.) 2 inches is drafting in a NASCAR race. A semi has a much bigger
cone of influence so two van lengths might well be within the draft
zone.
2.) Mr. Bawden has the most legitimate concerns. What a semi can
straddle is much larger than what you can straddle.
3.) If you are paying attention, you will not end up as a rear bumper
ornament on a semi. Stopping distance for a 40,000 lb truck is a bit
longer than a 4,000 lb van.

I have done it (in a 65 Chevy van) but I don't recommend it.


tim in san jose


On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 6:41 PM, Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:
> I would not recommend this method either simply because getting pushed about
> by turbulence while behind a semi truck is no fun.
>
> Chris.
>
> On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 11:52 AM, Slloth <slloth@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I would not recommend this type of method for saving gas.
>>
>> 1. Don't assume the driver is good.
>> 2. It is very annoying and rude to have a tailgater when you are trying to
>> drive any type of vehicle.
>> 3. Don't assume the driver knows you are there.
>> 4. It's a great way to get a huge rock chip on your wind screen
>> 5. It's only increasing your chances of a big accident which will cost you
>> much more money than the couple dollars in gas you saved.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> '84 Westfalia, 1.9L
>> '73 FJ40, 2F
>>
>



--
Where ever you are, there you be. Unless you're driving my van, in
which case, you ain't got there yet.