Aero modding an 18 wheeler!! with video!!

[wanna bECO]

I couldn't believe this when I saw it. Thank god for camera phones. This was a semi truck going down the road with these big air dams on either side of his box truck. They were well made and looked very effective. If you consider that all his driving is freeway, every bit helps. As the former son of a former trucker I appreciate this guy.

http://youtu.be/n7GwKVw7ZqQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7GwKVw7ZqQ

[jedi_sol]

Those are getting more and more popular around southern California as well. Even buses is Los Angeles are getting in on the hypermiling action!

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...bus-10004.html

[jime57]

Just completed a 5 month 8,000 mile road trip. Saw lots of those side flaps all across the country. Apparently they are effective, or the truckers wouldn't use them.

I'm left wondering why they don't do more. Continuing the side flaps all the way to the rear of the trailer, covering the rear wheels, would seem to me to be very effective. A slight bulge would likely be needed for the wheel area. A simple hinged door, secured by Dzutz fastners would allow for tire changes.

In addition, I see no reason not to fair in the rear wheels of the truck itself. Surely that would result in an improvement. And, of course the hinged boat-tail offered here:

http://www.transtexcomposite.com/pro...ml?ProduitID=3

would offer considerable improvement, around 7-8 percent reduction in Cd, according to Hucho.

Apparently and industry is beginning to spring up around the need to have more aerodynamic long haul rigs. This site:

http://www.marama.org/diesel/frieght...DCAeroOvw2.pdf

Offers several options. Their aerodynamically optimized trailer picture is very interesting.

[Floordford]

Ive seen big modifications in the aero design of big rigs. They used to be very brick like. Now seams are tighter, curves are smoother, skirts and air dams are lower, and I dont see as many of those bulky outboard air filters. So they are doing things to improve. Plus the diesel engines have been getting more efficient.

[winkosmosis]

Budweiser trucks have had skirts forever... or maybe the whole box is low and the fenders intrude on the inside

[Joenavy85]

I've seen a couple at truck stops with fold up skirts for the trailer wheels. they flip up to access the tires as required, then fold back down and latch to the side skirts like those in the video, i wish i had taken pictures, next time i see one i'll snap a pic or 2 and post them on here

[euromodder]

With MPGs in single digits or at best low 10s, trucking is where aero mods would give the most benefits in terms of fuel reduction and $$$ benefit.

[instarx]

It wouldn't be practical to add even a slight bulge to the wheels. It would change the trailer width, which is already as wide as is legally possible. Also, most people don't realize what a hard life trailers have. Skirts around entire trailers would be ripped off or damaged pretty regularly. Trailers have to deliver goods in some pretty tight places in less than perfect conditions.

[Big Dave]

I see these things all the time.

They must work.

With the miles a truck puts down even a tenth of an MPG can have a big effect on the bottom line.

Nice thing is they are cheap enough to put on almost every trailer or container flat.

[Bill in Houston]

I've seen trailer skirts here. Just a different piece of I-10...

Have not seen wheel covers or fender skirts.