Transport truck "Trailer Tail" - aftermarket aero kit ~5% MPG improvement (video)

[MetroMPG]

Saw this today:

ATDynamics TrailerTail ® – increases fuel efficiency of tractor trailers by over 5%

In 2008 it became the first and still the only rear fairing to be:

• validated for fuel efficiency by the US EPA based on SAE testing;
• sufficient for standalone compliance with 2010 CARB regulation supporting trailer aerodynamics;
• exempt from US DOT length restrictions verified in an FHWA compliance letter provided to all TrailerTail® customers.
• The device opens with one touch and closes in 5 seconds.
• In the open position, it boosts fuel economy by 5.1% at 62 mph, according to SAE J1321 Type II fuel economy testing.
• In the closed position, it folds flat against swing doors to enable normal access to cargo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8o_YaCrgCc

Grabbed this tuft testing image from the video as well:



company web site: ATDynamics.com - way to go!

[aerohead]

Looks like it's pretty user-friendly,so more apt to be used rather than torn off the rig by a disgruntled driver.
Glad to see it,and no doubt,it will get truckers talking.
All good!
Thanks Darin!

[MetroMPG]

I'm waiting to see one of these on the highways. The side skirts are becoming more common, but that's about the extent of the "new" aero mods I've seen*.

(*in my infrequent highway travels)

[orange4boy]

Excellent to finally see them in production.

On my trip to California this winter I saw a few of the skirts on the road. Drafting behind them with a 2 second space, there was no buffeting compared to a skirtless trailer. The difference was very obvious.

[TheEnemy]

There is a company near here that will probably go to them pretty quick, they had the trailer skirts 5 years ago as well as smooth hub caps for the back rig tires and the large single tires that are supposed to have a lower Crr instead of the duallies.

[KamperBob]

That's engineering! Doesn't have to be fancy. Doesn't have to be expensive. Just has to be practical and address a problem. Sweet...

Cheers
KB

[Piwoslaw]

Price?
With savings of >5% it would have to be gold and diamond plated to pay for itself in more than 1-2 years.

[RobertSmalls]

Their web site advertizes the device will save $1000-5000 in fuel per year, and pay for itself in less than a year for high-mileage trailers. So, price: $3000-5000, including the four man-hour installation cost, I presume.

It looks like a great product, and I hope they become the norm.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Their web site advertizes the device will save $1000-5000 in fuel per year, and pay for itself in less than a year for high-mileage trailers. So, price: $3000-5000, including the four man-hour installation cost, I presume.

It looks like a great product, and I hope they become the norm.

For <1/10th that cost the same thing or better could be made of 1/2- 3/4" Coroplast. This cost would include side skirts and radiused leading edges of the trailer box, not to mention an air dam for the tractor, and pizza pans from WalMart for wheel covers. Then, the whole rig would probably be closer to ~15% fuel savings.

1/2" Coroplast or larger has large enough hollow flutes to insert battens for stiffening. Dowel rods would work, or aluminum tubes, etc..

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'm waiting to see one of these on the highways. The side skirts are becoming more common, but that's about the extent of the "new" aero mods I've seen*.

(*in my infrequent highway travels)

I haven't seen those yet...

But I see a lot of these one-piece plastic partial boattails:
IMG_0738 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Sorry, the only pic I can find is of one that the trailer is opened up.

I see these things probably 3-4 times a day on my commute to work. I'd guess they are more effective, but more expensive and more of a pain to get in and out of the trailer.

Mike