Wow, I guess I was pushing it in me Westy then being 2 lengths or less
behind the semi.  I was a little nervous with not being able to see anything
but the knowledge that the driver likely knew I was there and that they're
typically safer drivers due to their road time (IF they are responsible to
begin with!), combined with a fairly straight, flat I5 route made me try it
off and on when convenient.  The worst downside was for me, it requires a
fixation on the semi's actions and that's not fun.  Sort of the opposite of
driving the Vanagon at 55 on a lesser highway with good views.

Don't think I'll make a habit of it, for certain.

On 6/20/08, Joel Sell <justthesells@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> 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)
>

--
Neil2
'82 Diesel Westy (Duckie)