Dickerson888

I think less resizing of the hoops would have been necessary if the barrel could have been soaked in water. The staves dry out and shrink. Of course that may have been a difficult thing to accomplish. Once it started to expand you might have been able to fill the barrel with water. I had a similar issue with a whiskey barrel half used as a planter.

OK didn't know you had gotten rid of truck. I liked it . It had character. I did see last night when I looked up the boat tail devices these Vorblades things. They are small little boxes and each one is shaped on the inside to create a vortex and a bubble of air. When grouped together they force the air away from the vehicle so the drag is reduced. https://vorblade.com/howitworks/vorblade-vs-air-dr...I will have strongly disagree on the tires. Radial tires have very stiff sides walls. Under inflation and the weight rides too much on the edges. Over inflation causes the weight to ride on the center of the tires. Both conditions will cause uneven weight distribution across the surface of the tire. Wear is heavily increased and the stopping ability is greatly reduced. The chalk test is on...

OK didn't know you had gotten rid of truck. I liked it . It had character. I did see last night when I looked up the boat tail devices these Vorblades things. They are small little boxes and each one is shaped on the inside to create a vortex and a bubble of air. When grouped together they force the air away from the vehicle so the drag is reduced. https://vorblade.com/howitworks/vorblade-vs-air-dr...I will have strongly disagree on the tires. Radial tires have very stiff sides walls. Under inflation and the weight rides too much on the edges. Over inflation causes the weight to ride on the center of the tires. Both conditions will cause uneven weight distribution across the surface of the tire. Wear is heavily increased and the stopping ability is greatly reduced. The chalk test is on a smooth flat surface make a line across the surface of the tire. Roll the truck forward so the tire completes one or two complete revolutions. Then observe the chalk. If the center of the mark has more chalk missing the tire is over inflated. If the edges are are more removed it's under inflated. I would suggest cool tires. Once the chalk removal is even the pressure is correct. The best indicator for proper inflation is the door panel label. These are based on normal weight and distribution of that vehicle and will give an alternative for loaded. These are a good starting point.

Kids change priorities. Does Bio Diesel cost more that regular diesel? It's an old trick the car dealers use to do and I suppose still do where they would under-inflate to make the vehicle ride better. They do make vehicle tires that are harder compound thus less friction and in effect translate to better MPG. I have some experience (LOL) in ruining a few tires.

I do remember reading to my surprise that better MPG is realized with a solid truck tailgate in the up position. It counter intuitive but seems the air going over the cab hits the tailgate and creates a bubble that allows the air to flow over the bed altogether. Interesting article.

You might try this type of configuration for the tailgate. The truck lines have found it to save fuel. I would resist running tires at maximum sidewall. It might save fuel but it's horrible on the life of the tires. Safety can be an issue since the traction and stopping ability is severely downgraded at maximum pressure. These pressures are for extreme loads. You might try the chalk test to determine maximum pressure while maintaining a maximum contact patch.

My mower is front drive and I was worried the screws wouldn't be enough so I used contact cement and screws. I was concerned when sideways pressure was applied the tread would slip off. Mowed today with it and worked fine.