On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 1:43 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> Well, I suspect (but don't know, nor without some investigation would I be
> able to calculate) that at 45 mph (the speed referenced), there would be
> little to gain by drafting, and little lost in the way of cooling
> efficiency.  If one is on a hill steep enough and long enough to require
> dropping the speed to 45 mph (I've had to go lower on occasion), the stock
> vanagon is likely to get hot, anyway, with or without a semi running
> interference.  How many list members are able to climb a 6% grade for
> several miles without resting to cool off?
>
>
>
>
  In a vanagon?  Or on a bicycle?  (joke)

  Really?  A stock Vanagon won't do a 6% climb without overheating?  I do
about 55 uphill all the time with my inline (1.8l VW) transplant van and it
never gets above the thermostat opening temp...Hmmm.
  Way off topic:
  And on my bike, unless it is over 90f, I can climb a 6% grade for ~10
miles without overheating, as long as I keep the revs down...Resting part
way is not an option..Any hotter than 90f I sometimes 'seize-up' with leg
cramps if I am not conservative going uphill..(around 10mph--Same hill the
Pros would climb at 20mph and be chatting it up the whole way...)
  Don Hanson