Just curious if theres anyone out there that drafts trucks. If you have any techniques, please share.

 

Mythbusters is about to do this myth on the Discovery channel one night next week I think?!?

But I wouldn't... Rock Chips!

 

Accident waiting to happen....not to mention you would be held responsible in legal and civil court. The benefits are not worth the risk. However, it does work, just watch NASCAR races.

 

yeah there probably would be alot of debris. but I didn't think this was actually a myth.

 

well.. sure it will work if it removes wind resistance (notice I said IF it removes wind resistance) . If you feel like becoming part of the rear axle of a truck in the case a wreck happens.. and it being your fault if you are still alive, then go for it I guess

 

You can find a sweet spot in the adjacent lane near the rear corners. This cuts way down on the road debris and allows the driver to see you as well. Do some tests and you can feel the good spot vs bad in the adjacent lanes.

 

rule of thumb is about 10 - 15 feet drafting behind trucks which is right behind hte turbulance bubble, the only problem i sthat you can't see the wheels/bumps/animals in hte road.

 

i usually don't follow too close... (respect the truck drivers and let them know you're there, and do thank them if you can, and if even possible ask them prior to doing so (they usually don't care))

for judging distance, i have a window cracked open to which i can judge the wind resistance thru noise.

and have easily gotten about 35-40 mpg on a trip doing such.

no tailgating, respect the truck drivers and you'll be ok.

 

Well, this is actually a pet peeve of mine.

First of all, for those who don't like to read: truck drafting doesn't work.

Yep, that's right folks. Doesn't work. So please just don't be yet another jerk on the road by tailing trucks (or other vehicles).

Why is it not effective? Let's think about this:
* Truck is n number of meters off the ground
* Car is x number of meters off the ground

n >> x

Therefore, what you're actually hitting is a strong stream of air, possibly compressed.

So you're actually (if my thinking is correct...) increasing wind resistance by drafting trucks.

Now let's consider the other consequences of this oh-so-wise practice:
1) ROCK CHIPS. You have NO right to complain about rock chips if you follow cars too closely. ANY car will chip given those conditions...
2) Yay! Don't you love being decapitated when you slide neatly under the trailer? Oh wait, you don't slide under, but the rest of the car body does! So yea, I guess that means... your head... kind of gets left behind. oops!


Technically, drafting only gets accomplished in the most effective manner between objects the same size. So if you really want to be drafting, you'll have to start following *cars* that are similar to the size, height, etc. of the tC within just a few feet (NASCAR or bicycle racing style).

And seriously, if you're following me within a few feet, then you're just asking to possibly get brake checked.

With someone else... they might make you pay for a new back bumper.

If you really want to save gas... tie a chain between your car, the truck, and then put the engine in neutral and shut off the engine

Toodles!

 

^^ agreed, normal 18 wheel trucks or whatever create a pocket of air that pushes you back


my advice works for the trucks around vegas, which sit pretty low to the ground.


well. thats what i noticed.

 

for those that don't like people who just spout stuff with not even a tidbit of evidence to bolster what they speak here is a link from a quick google search. Source seems credible ...

http://www.discovery.com/area/skinny.../skinnyon.html

 

well when i had my '99 Avalon I followed behind our 10' tall concession stand about 700+ miles from AR to SD doing 60-65 mph the entire way. All interstate I got 52 miles per gallon. I would say it works. of course it might have been that we were only cruising at about 60 the ENTIRE tank.

 

Yup, that's my source. Thanks for filling in

I actually didn't include the source because I attempted to use that conceptual example I provided. If I really wanted to just "spout" that info I could have just said "truck drafting doesn't work" and leave it at that.

I figured a short explanation (or attempt) at my logic would be better than directing people towards a link. I don't want people to think I'm just "spouting" info on "some" website.

 

I used to drive truck while i was in school and its best not to draft on them it will only make it worse... If you were the driver of that truck and had people trying to draft off of you you would thing twice about doing it...

 

2 words: ROCK CHIPS

 

Ever seen those huge chunks of tires on the side of the road? They don't come off of a stopped truck and scatter like mad. Almost learned that the hard way on a motorcycle. I stay a ways back or get around them.

 

I should repeat this. It works.