Wake Vortex / Drafting Semi's

[KingNine]

I've noticed that the Smart is particularly suseptible to a kind of wake vortex effect from pick ups and larger SUVs especially when they're driving formation style just off the left rear of the car. I know it's people gawking,marveling or taking pictures with their cell phones. The problem I've noticed is that apparently it's disrupting the Smart's aerodynamics and causing noticible latitudinal oscillations proportional with velocity. It's probably there with all cars,but I think with a lightweight micro car it's just more noticible. Something to be aware of.
If you have the chance (safely,of course), get a couple of car lengths behind a semi trailer for a while and feel the draft effect. I followed a trailer for about 12 miles this morning on the Santa Ana freeway and was barely touching the accelerator pedal the entire time, even on slight upgrades. If you're not in any great rush,it's your ticket to hypermilageland.

BEAT CAL

[MrVvrroomm]

Originally Posted by KingNine

I followed a trailer for about 12 miles this morning on the Santa Ana freeway and was barely touching the accelerator pedal the entire time, even on slight upgrades. If you're not in any great rush,it's your ticket to hypermilageland.

I've done that on my 150cc scooter and had it up to 80+mph. It normally goes around 65.

[knutliott]

Originally Posted by KingNine

If you have the chance (safely,of course), get a couple of car lengths behind ...

So would those be smart car lengths, or normal car lengths? ;)

[vanslam]

I travel on the highway almost everyday and following a truck and the movement it generates on the smart I call the Smart Jig.

[Smartbillet]

I used to draft semis on I 95 during my daily 120 mile round trip commute, when I used to work, in my Geo Metro. I would tuck in close behind them and let them drag me away. Truckers weren't too happy about it though.

[msjohnson1974]

I've experienced the same effect of large SUVs and pickups. The worst so far though has been the full size cargo van off the back tire. Of course the scariest experience was the genius in the Escalade going 100+ passing me on the right... that just about blew me into the next lane. (I was in the 2nd from the right on a 4 lane road with no traffic to my left.)

[redoregon]

Originally Posted by Smartbillet

I used to draft semis on I 95 during my daily 120 mile round trip commute, when I used to work, in my Geo Metro. I would tuck in close behind them and let them drag me away. Truckers weren't too happy about it though.

Just to revive a zombie thread... I hope no one reads thru this thread and thinks this is a good idea. A lot of truckers would be unhappy to the point of knocking your teeth down your throat if they get ahold of you after drafting them!

[RussBarnes]

I have a Kenworth Semi to tow our 40' fifth wheeler. GVCW -33,000# That rig is also why I have a smart to carry crossways, so I don't have to unhook the trailer to go buy a loaf of bread when camped. My truck is designed with 10 wheels and HUGE AIR BRAKES to be able to stop 80,000# loaded. Empty vans and semi's weigh less than half that so when they hit the brakes they stop right NOW! I know how the draft pulls my smart but I am not stupid enough to ride there and NONE of you should either, unless you have great life insurance for whoever is listed as a beneficiary. I could care less if you ride there, your little bit of air needed can't be felt, and I have lights so if I signal and you are at 3' I know you can see me, but if some old lady pulls across a lane leaving me no choice I am going to jump on that air pedal and I hate to waste the next 3-4 hours filling out a report and then washing off your blood and guts that would be all over my stuff.

[jefferios]

Not worth getting a rock thrown at your windscreen or getting killed if he stops suddenly.

I'll pay the extra in gas versus reading SCOA from my hospital bed.

[Mister P]

There is a Mythbusters episode that debunks the truck drafting myth. They found the car had to be sitting against the truck rear bumper for a very slight improvement in mileage. It's BS that you can draft a truck and save gas.