Quote:
Originally Posted by KWTrucker
Greetings, I drive KW T600 with Step Deck trailer. Finally got storage boxes hung all down both sides of the trailer which gives me storage and provides sort of a smooth surface for air flow. They hang (literally) from the trailer so they can float if/when I get the trailer hi-centered. They are 14" off the ground at the moment. I was going to lower them slightly and try to add flexible skirting along the bottom, but am reconsidering simply installing belly pan between the boxes down the center of the trailer. There seems to be a "lower is better" mantra, and the reading I have done shows a linear relationship between height of skirting and effect/result. What about belly pan? Is lower still better? What are the opinions/issues I should take into consideration. Both skirting and belly pan have similar challenges if terms of maintenance, weight, etc. I am well aware of the non-intuitive nature of aerodynamics, and one alternative (it won't work on my style of trailer) which I think has merrit is shown here: SmartTruck. Recent mpg from Baltimore to Orlando w/ tailwind: 10.1 mpg. Best to all |
The height above ground level is going to be determined by ground clearance requirements,say,when driving over the crown of a railroad track crossing.
The skirts are attempting to provide a flow support surface at the width of the outer tire/wheel face,just like a Trans Am Firebird of the 1980s.
The bellypan is attempting to prevent air from entering the torture-chamber under the tractor/trailer.
Bellypans need to begin at the front,and proceed rearwards for good effect.
If you pan the trailer without doing the tractor,there is every indication from wind tunnel studies,that you'll go un-rewarded.
The 10 mpg is a glimpse of what streamlining will do on a 'calm' day.The Renault V.I.R.A.G.E. of the 1980s was claiming 10 mpg.GOOGLE that rig and check out what was done there.