Mythbusters: Big Rig Myths

[garrett]

So who else saw the new episode tonight? It involved drafting semis to get better fuel economy and a "knight rider" style entry into the trailer of a semi at speed.

:banana: :best: :clap: :D :confused: :drool:

[calrockx]

what's the result of the drafing one? i saw the knight rider part.

[Elton]

watchin it right now

[Seanz0rz]

the drafting said that anything less than 100 feet, gas mileage went up, with the best being at 10 feet, about 40 percent increase (i think) at 2 it actually went down because of the constant positive and negative acceleration to keep that distance.

overall, a good episode.

[garrett]

yeah, that sums it up. it was cool to see the side shot of grant following a semi by 2 feet at 55 mph :yikes:

[SLC Punk]

Wow 40% is a huge difference. I don't know if it is worth all of the rock chips you will get for following that close!


the drafting said that anything less than 100 feet, gas mileage went up, with the best being at 10 feet, about 40 percent increase (i think) at 2 it actually went down because of the constant positive and negative acceleration to keep that distance.

overall, a good episode.

[YotaFun]

Interesting.
I missed the episode and I really wanted to see it.
I def knew there was a decrease in mileage at around 100 feet, last time I was behind a big rig I was being thrown all around because of the draft.
And well, 10 feet isn't that bad, I have a CB I could always ask the trucker if I could tag along for a bit lol!

[slosurfer]

I don't get why they were doing the knight rider "myth", fear factor had contestants doing that all the time. I liked the drafting part.

[Texas Jim]

The only problem with the drafting at 10ft. is that you are going to make the trucker nervous. If you can not see their mirrors they cannot see you! Like Yotafun suggested give em a shout on the CB and see if they care.

Also, Some states like Illinois only let Semis, go at 55 MPH still and for them to say in the right lane..... No wonder Chicago traffic is the second worse in the nation!! TJ :thumbup:

[BruceTS]

I always pondered the idea of adding an electro magnet to the front of my truck, then pull in behind a semi, activate it and go for a ride......hehe

[gilby4runner]

I like bruce's idea...make for an interesting conversational piece