Aeromodding a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia

[Bigrigdave]

6 weeks ago a signed a lease to drive a truck pulling reefer trailers cross country. They pay a certain number per load for fuel, it I use more, it comes out of the pay line. If I use less it goes in my pocket

So here we are. I can't do too much crazy stuff but considering the 2023 is available with aerox package a la carte, I may buy some factory pieces, I may build my own.

So far I've been eyeballing the bumper extension/airdam but they seem susceptible to damage, wheel well filler trim pieces and my 10" side skirt extensions.


So far, I've found stated numbers of .25% efficiency increase with commercially available wheel covers for the rear. If my truck seems to average 8 mpg loaded, that doesn't seem enough for what they cost. Diy in process

Sorry I haven't been updating, although I have been at it. See updated photos.

My latest idea is to build a quick attach trailer tail. That's what the sketch with the measurements is for. I believe most of the trailers will have hinges in the same place so I'm considering a mount to them.

I thought about wheel covers for them as well but I'm sure I would forget them and the first time I have to drive back to get them it would negate any savings I may have from utilizing them.

[redpoint5]

Man, I'd get pretty crazy AB testing if I got to pocket the fuel savings.

Guess you won't be going in this direction


Welcome to the forum.

[freebeard]

Welcome.

Do you know how to search the forum? It goes pretty deep.

Do you control the trailer, or are they rotated out? Here's something that relates to your use case:

[Bigrigdave]

Red, unfortunately I'm not a scientist, I'm not cool enough because I have a plastic bumper and a robot shifting gears for me

Free beard I've been lurking for 8-10 years. I'm pretty familiar with site functions thanks. Unfortunately I can have the same trailer for a few days or even weeks but the hope is to drop and hook at every stop. I have a sliding fifth wheel which I was hoping to slide all the way forward but weights do not permit.

[Bigrigdave]

All of the trailers have skirts and super single tires, some have 4 sided trailer tails, some have two sides but they're skirt always broken. The new trailers seem to have a two inch treatment along the lower middle of the door and a5 inch spoiler along the top and sides. I'll try to get some photos

[freebeard]

Got it. Lurkers are important.

I don't care enough to search but there were wheel disks that expand like a crochet hoop to grip the wheel. Maybe they could be moved from one trailer to the next.

[seifrob]

Probably an old hat to you, but Vekke designed smooth hubcaps for trucks/trailers some 11 years ago.
this is his thread: https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...cks-16478.html

and these YouTube videos seem to be most informative:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nfbCXSkLiKA

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lqD3pXVmnQc

Covers are made of 3mm ABS sheet, iirc. The design is pretty straighforward, so you should be able to duplicate it, unless you are hopeless with jigsaw. I would try it for sure, if I were in youe shoes. smooth hubcaps are how much? 3 %?

[freebeard]

Not the same one [IIRC] but just as good.

[redneck]

.

A good tire pressure gauge and a long enough air hose to reach the trailer wheels. Properly inflated tires make a big difference when hauling heavy.

Oh, and a scangauge.




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[Bigrigdave]

Seifrob, thank you for the link and videos. Looks like I'm going to buy a jig saw.

Redneck, I have a gauge. I need to buy a hose and adapter.

Thanks for the ideas folks, keep them coming.

I'm looking at extending the side fairings and an air Dam/splitter.