18-Wheelers and Gas Mileage
18-wheelers and other large vehicles get exceptionally bad gas mileage.
They are known to get less than 10 miles per gallon even when just the cab of the truck is in use.
If there is a trailer attached to the cab, gas mileage can be less than 5 miles per gallon.
Because of the atrocious gas mileage and the expense of filling up a gas tank, truck drivers frequently will caravan.
Caravanning frequently also involves drafting.
Drafting is when a number of 18 wheelers form a line and drive together in sequence.
They change lanes together, they slow down together, they speed up together.
The most beneficial part of drafting is that the lead truck breaks through the air and creates a low area where the trucks following do not have to work as hard to move forward.
The same concept is used by geese that fly in a V formation.
The drafting technique works really well for trucks and so they try to use it.
Because they have to use less gas working through the air, the trucks behind the lead truck get better gas mileage and so have to stop for gas less frequently.
Gas mileage is better and there is less air to fight through because the lead truck creates a slipstream for the other trucks.
This creates less air resistance so the truck moves better.
Unfortunately, for the trucks to get the maximum amount of benefit from the slipstream and drafting, the trucks must be very close together.
Trucks typically ask cars to give them a large amount of space in which to brake.
They need this space as they are very heavy and do not use the same type of brakes that cars use.
When drafting, the trucks don't leave the requested space between each other.
They actually leave significantly less space between the vehicles than is required to stop safely.
The lack of distance creates problems should an emergency come up.
The trucks are unable to stop normally and so might resort to more drastic methods.
These drastic methods could involve swerving wildly or something else that puts drivers of other cars at risk.
Trucks already pose a significant threat to cars and other vehicles on the road.
Drafting, while it creates better gas mileage for truckers, creates increased risks for drivers of smaller vehicles.
If you would like more information regarding truck accidents and 18-wheelers, please visit http://www.
truckaccident-lawyers.
com.
They are known to get less than 10 miles per gallon even when just the cab of the truck is in use.
If there is a trailer attached to the cab, gas mileage can be less than 5 miles per gallon.
Because of the atrocious gas mileage and the expense of filling up a gas tank, truck drivers frequently will caravan.
Caravanning frequently also involves drafting.
Drafting is when a number of 18 wheelers form a line and drive together in sequence.
They change lanes together, they slow down together, they speed up together.
The most beneficial part of drafting is that the lead truck breaks through the air and creates a low area where the trucks following do not have to work as hard to move forward.
The same concept is used by geese that fly in a V formation.
The drafting technique works really well for trucks and so they try to use it.
Because they have to use less gas working through the air, the trucks behind the lead truck get better gas mileage and so have to stop for gas less frequently.
Gas mileage is better and there is less air to fight through because the lead truck creates a slipstream for the other trucks.
This creates less air resistance so the truck moves better.
Unfortunately, for the trucks to get the maximum amount of benefit from the slipstream and drafting, the trucks must be very close together.
Trucks typically ask cars to give them a large amount of space in which to brake.
They need this space as they are very heavy and do not use the same type of brakes that cars use.
When drafting, the trucks don't leave the requested space between each other.
They actually leave significantly less space between the vehicles than is required to stop safely.
The lack of distance creates problems should an emergency come up.
The trucks are unable to stop normally and so might resort to more drastic methods.
These drastic methods could involve swerving wildly or something else that puts drivers of other cars at risk.
Trucks already pose a significant threat to cars and other vehicles on the road.
Drafting, while it creates better gas mileage for truckers, creates increased risks for drivers of smaller vehicles.
If you would like more information regarding truck accidents and 18-wheelers, please visit http://www.
truckaccident-lawyers.
com.
Source...