So it was two van lengths? Not that I wanted to try it because it's super unsafe, but um... for a conversation piece.
"This chicken is good, mom. Did you know that the sweet spot for drafting behind semis is two car lengths?"
You know, something like that...
Joel in Philly

--- On Fri, 6/20/08, Jack R. <jack007@COMCAST.NET> wrote:

> From: Jack R. <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> Subject: Drafting for better MPG
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Friday, June 20, 2008, 8:17 AM
> Neil,
>
>
>
> I discovered the same with my Volvo V70 XC, and since it
> has an instant MPG
> read-out computer.
>
> I played around with the drafting thing, and with Cruise
> Control set at 65
> mph and flat Ohio roads I-75, I got 34 MPG behind the semi
> and 27 MPG when I
> moved to other lane.
>
> Big difference!!!!
>
>
>
> So. "don't be a draft dodger"
>
>
>
> Good thing my Westy breaks better than a semi!  The view
> isn't as nice, and
> you really need to pay attention while drafting.
>
>
>
> Jack R.
>
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: Neil2 [mailto:vidublu@gmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 12:34 AM
> To: Jack R.
> Subject: Re: unbelievable mpg at 55 mph
>
>
>
> I drafted a bit on a recent trip and wondered what the
> 'sweet' distance is.
> I was about 2 van lengths behind the semis.  Any idea?
>
> On 6/18/08, Jack R. <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> The 2x - 4x applies big time.  On a recent trip I drove at
> 80 mph, and got
> 16 mpg... then on the return trip, I kept it at 68 mph, and
> got 20 mpg.
> 2.1L Westy.  The wind resistance really plays a big roll in
> our "less than
> aerodynamic" vans.  Drafting really helps too!
>
> Jack R.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Anthony Egeln
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 2:44 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: unbelievable mpg at 55 mph
>
> His is a 1.9 TD DIESEL......can't compare that to your
> 1.9 L gasser...apples
> and oranges and all that.
>
> Anthony
> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>
> --- On Wed, 6/18/08, Chris S
> <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> From: Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: unbelievable mpg at 55 mph
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 1:43 PM
>
> Sweet!
>
> I did 20 mpg cruising around Atlanta at 60-65 mph... not
> bad for a wheezy
> 1.9L, eh?  But 36 mpg... that is AWESOME for a Vanagon!
>
> Chris.
>
> On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 8:55 AM, Mark Thoma
> <mpthoma2003@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> > hey everybody,
> > for what it's worth.  drove back from rockford to
> springfield, il last
> > night.  i've driven the same trip many times and
> know my 1.9td van
> gets
> > 27mpg at 65mph.  this time i drove at 55mph just to
> check mpg.
> conditions:
> > cool, dry, no wind.  to drive the slower speed i only
> needed 2.5-3 pounds
> of
> > boost compared with 6 pounds of boost to run at 65mph.
>  the engine is
> > intercooled and i'm running 15in wheels, with an
> air cooled trans.
> filling
> > up as i got on the interstate and then again as soon
> as i arrived in
> > springpatch i was astounded to discover the van had
> covered the 200 miles
> on
> > 5.5 gallons of diesel fuel.  in other words
> 36mpg!!!!!!!!!
> > i don't believe it either but thought i'd
> throw it out there for
> public
> > consumption.
> > thoma
> >
>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil2
> '82 Diesel Westy (Duckie)