quote:

"it is what it is"

...been retired for 17 years, you are right, Mary "I would like to be able to go more often but not enough to get a job" however, I must admit to pondering a few hours a week as a Wally World greeter or sumpthin' beer and bait money

Dick, Walmart around here has no "Greeters" and the closest one to me is 30 miles round trip. Part time and low wages and I would end up going in the hole to work. Unemployment around my area is high even if I was to seek employment it would be useless.

Please don't misunderstand I am not complaining, I have all the necessities it is the disposable income that is lacking. I love the quiet and solitude of the area that I live in and give thanks to God for what I have and should not even consider wanting more but I have all this "rolling stock" and not able to use it to it's full potential.

I will get my opportunity next year at the GTG.

quote:

d the closest one to me is 30 miles round trip

wouldn't pay for the gas

quote:

Originally posted by DanK:

quote:

Ray Harroun and the Marmon Wasp

I'm surprised you don't see Kammback's on motorhomes and such. It's basically a cut off version of an aerodynamic teardrop. You see it all the time on cars, and that's the extension pieces you see bolted onto some truck trailers now.

My guess would be that it interferes with the inside space efficiency of a box. I remember when the GMC motor home first hit the market, many objected to the lack of interior storage. Same for the rounded Airstreams. Both were way ahead of their time on aerodynamics, but suffered re interior storage.

quote:

Originally posted by Mogan David:
Bill, as for tractor-trailers, I am seeing quite a few of these devices in use:
http://techportal.eere.energy....nology.do/techID=507

Nifty. I have spent many an hour lying underneath thinking about belly streamlining. We go off road a little too much for something like that, though. But I still think of a belly pan held on with Dzus fasteners.................



After looking at this and DanK's post re Kammbacks, I see I need to spend more time out on the Interstate looking at big rigs.

Since I spend a lot of time looking at trucks on the interstate and always get new suggestions from the Republic of California how to spend money to save money, they got tons of stuff you can install.
There are some fold out fairings for your rear, kind of looks like a milk carton that is supposed to reduce the swirl behind the trailer. Also got side fairings for the side of the trailer, nose cones for the front and them little airtabs you stick on the side to channel the airflow. Not to forget special tires and round covers you stick over your wheels.

My biggest suggestion: slow down. Higher speed also wears your tires more. Driving 600 miles or more a day you always see the same vehicles passing you several times and at the end they stop at the same place.

Amen to that. I've logged over 3 million miles in 60 years of driving and the key to arriving at my destination relaxed with no tickets is to drive the speed limit. Even on the Interstates, I drive Old Blue no more than 60 mph. In a car, I keep it at 70 or less. That's how I get 27mpg on my 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. Call me an old fuddy if you want, but I have had zero accidents in those 3 million miles.
Jim