dodge man
Super Star Member
A couple things to think about as far as MPG.
No matter what gears you have, it takes the same amount of H.P. to move a truck down the roads. Doesn't matter if you have a 5.00 rear end or a 3.00 rear end. Its a matter of a engine having a particular sweet spot in the RPM range where it gets the best mileage.
On the highway, the weight has less of an affect on mileage than aerodynamics. In town, the weight has more of an affect and the aerodynamics don't matter. Once you get a large heavy truck and load moving, its weight doesn't add that much to the power requirement to keep the load moving.
I'm not sure this is 100% correct, but I believe the power to overcome wind resistance is based on the square of the speed. In other words, the wind resistance is 4 times greater and 60 than at 30mph. Its nine times greater between 30 and 90. Thats why you see a huge drop off as your speed increases.
No matter what gears you have, it takes the same amount of H.P. to move a truck down the roads. Doesn't matter if you have a 5.00 rear end or a 3.00 rear end. Its a matter of a engine having a particular sweet spot in the RPM range where it gets the best mileage.
On the highway, the weight has less of an affect on mileage than aerodynamics. In town, the weight has more of an affect and the aerodynamics don't matter. Once you get a large heavy truck and load moving, its weight doesn't add that much to the power requirement to keep the load moving.
I'm not sure this is 100% correct, but I believe the power to overcome wind resistance is based on the square of the speed. In other words, the wind resistance is 4 times greater and 60 than at 30mph. Its nine times greater between 30 and 90. Thats why you see a huge drop off as your speed increases.
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