I have a f-350 4x4 crew cab with the 4:10 rear end i usually get around 11.5 MPG on the interstate, well today i tried something new I filled up the truck to the spout, got on the interstate and tailgated an 18 wheeler going about 65mph (25ft behind the 18 wheeler) and i got a hand calculated 17.3 MPG!! drove behind him for 325 miles.

 

BTW the truck is completely stock

 

We have a truck camper with a big cab-over, and can usually go from 10 to 12 mpg drafting behind a rig on the highway, even staying 2-3 seconds behind him, which is not anywhere close to tailgating.

 

It's a wonder you're alive to tell this story, driving that close to something in front of you, and especially for that long. It's not something I'd choose to brag about or even publisize! For those reading this post . . . please don't try it at home!

 

I would never follow a rig...too many tires and too many chances for rocks on the truck and in the windshield.

It is nice to get some decent mpgs though.

With my 3.73's I have gone over 400 miles a few times.

 

I know it was stupid to follow so close, But I knew the guy driving the rig, I was trying to see if it actually made a difference. and I was pleasantly surprised, Not that it would make me follow every rig on the interstate to wear i can see the holographic water mark on the license plate. I had always heard that it makes a huge difference and wanted to find out for myself. but safety wise i would stick to my 11.5mpg or the 3 sec rule.

 

Well makes sense since you knew the driver..you were in a convoy!

 

Glad the driver that you knew didn't encounter anything you couldn't see that would have made him slam on the brakes faster than you knew he could react . . . !

 

Watched a "green" show on energy the other day. A big rig truck manufacturer in Sweden (IIRC) was demonstrating technology to support close following of tractor trailers for fuel savings; however, the trucks were electronically linked so if lead truck braked the following trucks automatically braked. I think they may have had automated steering technology too but the show was putting me to sleep

The point being that some day we may have cars doing the same thing to tighten up safe following distances to better utilize the space on the road. We are working toward an idiot in the driver seat to go with the idiot lights.

I have 4.10 dually, the other day after filling up and driving home about 30 miles w/ 75% urban interstate at 60 MPH the lie-o-meter was at 19 MPG when I pulled in driveway; of course after a few more days of driving in town it is at 13.5 right now; which if I were to fill up and hand calculate would probably be slight below that number.

Bob

 

Still stupid even if you know the guy. I was behind a rig a few weeks ago towing my 53ft car hauler, i had to get close to the back of the rig to pass a slow moving idiot in the left lane. The split second i got in front of the slow car i heard a VERY LOUD explosion and saw white smoke. The the rear trailer tire of the rig blew out and flew behind and i saw 2 cars try to avoid it in my mirror and hit each other! Another few seconds and that tire would have hit me. I for one do not want a huge 22.5 or 24.5 tire weighing over 150lbs flying up at me on the highway to save fuel. Never follow a rig close. This is very common on rigs, especially because their trailer tires usually suck and are usually recycled cheap tires waiting to blow out.

 

Too late, we already have idiots in the driver seats.

 

Get a tuner, DPF delete, CAI and you'll get the same mpg and won't have to follow behind a big rig.

 

I will as soon as my warranty is up still have 40,000 miles to go, so probably at the end of the year i will be getting a tuner and delete kit, can't wait to have 6inch stacks