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Post Info TOPIC: Tailgating
Pradokakadudavid


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RE: Tailgating
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I'm no wind tunnel expert but it probably has something to do with the enormous wind pressures created by fast moving objects like trucks.  You probably notice that when a truck passes, the wind pressures knock the car (and or caravan) around and this sucking and pushing probably affects the way you glide through the air hence causing more resistance and therefore increased fuel consumption.  Basically the opposite to when you are following a truck and it sucks you along behind it hence reducing wind resistance and fuel consumption.



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dogbox


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Hitting the road wrote:

It is not uncommon...drivers tailgating on country roads to "save" fuel. Used to do it ourselves when younger on a longer trip when in more than one car. The "loss" of the lead vehicle was never a big deal, but the "tow" for the 2nd was advantageous.

Years ago when I was trucking, there was a company based in SA running across the Nullabor, their drivers would often run up behind their mate in the truck in front, sitting no more than a couple of metres off the lead vehicle...up to three of them would be doing it.


Asked the question if the leader had to brake hard for some reason, then they would likely run in to them as they would have no time to stop...the response was that being so close the impact would be pretty minor anyway...


But, when it comes to furl consumption, if one is really really deadly serious...pump the tyres up, and run the skinniest tallest highway tyres you possibly can. Wind all windows up, turn off the air conditioning...do not fit a roof rack, bull bar or any other items that can cause drag...fold the mirrors in too. Fit a vacuum gauge if a petrol engine and find the speed / engine revs with the lowest vaccum reading.

Or...just drive to conditions...lol





you could always tell when a truck has been tail gating other trucks on a regular bases, all the stone chips in the paint work on the front an a windscreen that when you drive into the sun, or oncoming traffic at nite looks like frosted glass

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