The ultimate in 18 wheeler aerodynamics, -from Walmart?
 

This is is a L-A-R-G-E file but worth the wait :sad:

http://truckinginhighgear.com/walmart/

http://007planb.com/images/405-Giant-Ferrari.jpg

I have read about these type of things before. I am not sure how much the average owner operator would save compared to the cost of the modifications. I think that anything we can do to reduce drag or get better fuel economy is good. Anyone thinking about purchasing anything such as these should consider the cost/benefit of the expenditure.

Wasn't it wal-mart that wanted a 12 mpg truck by 2015 or something like that?

That sounds familiar about the 12 mpg truck. I don't see why we shouldn't have a truck that gets that much mpg today. We could save a ton of money. Of course, they would probably just raise prices to compensate for the lost income. :evil:

It would take a huge combination of things:

- New "length" rules to account for boat tails. The rear of a 53 foot dry van accounts for 1/3 of aero drag. This needs to be reduced in order to get better fuel mileage.

- Increased efficiency of the engine, instead of decreasing that we've seen over the past while. Cummins has a prototype engine that recaptures lost exhaust heat, and converts it to energy. Detroits new DD15 is going to use turbocompounding, it's coming out in March

- Lower rolling resistance. Super single tires, and a perfect alignment.

- Better aero, the cascadia looks to be the current front runner. I'd prefer a ZERO trailer gap as well. Skirts on the side of a 53 foot van. Better under vehicle aerodynamics. Smooth "plates" covering the wheels of drive and trailer wheels. Deck plate so that wind doesn't go under the truck, and slam into the front of the trailer.

- Direct drive transmission. Reduces driveline losses about 1-2%.

- Low churning differentials, or maybe only one drive differential.

- A speed between 55 and at MOST 60 mph.

- ZERO idling

Doing ALL of these things I could possibly see 12 mpg.

I agree, I think truckers news or Roadstar had a 30 year anniversary edition in the truck stops last month and mentioned the same thing.

30 years ago avg MPG was in the mid 5's, not a whole lot has changed since then, pretty bad I think considering all the changes in car MPG

Yes but the big thing is the economy cars have low HP. Our trucks now have more HP then they ever did.

We haven't changed a damn thing for trailer aero, just some truck aero.

We drive faster then we did 30 years ago.

Zero idling???you go ahead and run your engine without warming it up and shut her down nice and hot and see how long it will last you.

no mention of synthetic lube?

I have an espar engine heater, works far better then plugging it in or idling it.

I take it easy the last while before parking, by the time I'm backed in the EGT's are usually around 300.

A properly formulated spreadsheet could easily show the break-even point. Any spreadsheet professionals out there?

Even if THEY did, we'd B paying the American terrorists (domestic oil co.'s) INSTEAD of THOSE islamic (et al foreigners, like the idiotic Shov-ASS [chavez?]) terrorists , since we wouldn't B importing as much oil.

There's a company in San Diego experimenting with exhaust heat to produce current thus replacing the alternator.

What is the current allowable lenth? I thought 57' trailers were now allowed but I haven't seen any on the road.

BUT, the increase in MPG more than justifies the the loss, thus OD's are COST-EFFICIENT.

I believe synthetics are the way 2 go (less profits 4 the terrorist). Amsoil's website probably lists the benefits.