09-25-2011, 02:54 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: sw Washington (state), a little north of Vancouver
Posts: 1,154
Thanks: 298
Thanked 122 Times in 88 Posts
|
positive Semi sighting!
While enjoying a recent roadtrip, I spotted a semi-trailer outfitted w rear aero aids!
I was cruising west on I-90 in Montana at my usual 50mph., when this one special nationally known company rig (Swift) blew by me.
I couldn't get to my camera fast enough, nor was willing to crank it up to 60-65 to catch up w him/her?; but will try to describe.
Simply put, what I saw was like a cardboard box sans its floor mounted horizonally on the back of the '53 trailer. There wasn't much taper on the sides to mimic any funnel look. At the most, I would estimate only 2-3 degrees inward.
The top, and bottom "flaps" were made different. The top, and the bottom flaps were both 2 piece affairs, with a slight gap directly in the middle.
I was so shocked to see this out of the blue, that I don't remember what type of rear door/doors that this trailer has.
I can only surmise that if it had a rollup type door, and if loads were on conventional pallets, ( which would be 2 side by side covering the entire interior trailer width) the aero aid could stay permanent as long as the rig stayed in the western states. ( trailer length laws)
I estimate that the extension length to be somewhere around 3-4 feet long!
I could be wrong, please correct me if I am; but I sort of associated the Swift company name to be part of the group of companies that generally hire "newbie" drivers such as JB Hunt.
That's why I was surprised to see this effort under that company banner, but non the less; applaud the effort!
It's certainly no where near a boattail, so I wonder what the mpg. change is worth.
Though far more common, it's also interesting to me to see the moving companies like Atlas in particilar that have the rounded fiberglass extensions with custom taillights. I'm sure it's mainly meant just to stuff just a little more load on, but it appears that mpg. wise, it might help a little bit!
It would be interesting to hear from someone in that industry that would know the facts!
Aloha!
|
|
|
|
 Today
|
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 03:01 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Steppes of Central Indiana
Posts: 1,319
Thanks: 0
Thanked 186 Times in 127 Posts
|
I've seen these around.
Swift wouldn't be doing it without tangible MPG benefits.
__________________
2000 Ford F-350 SC 4x2 6 Speed Manual
4" Slam
3.08:1 gears and Gear Vendor Overdrive
Rubber Conveyor Belt Air Dam
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 04:54 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
|
Aero Deshi
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Posts: 1,065
Thanks: 430
Thanked 669 Times in 358 Posts
|
Did'ya see this??
 |
|
|
|
|
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to ChazInMT For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 05:42 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
T-100 Road Warrior
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Posts: 1,921
Thanks: 3,502
Thanked 1,395 Times in 968 Posts
|
Or like this?
__________________
Dark Aero-The world's first aerodynamic single wheel boat tail!
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to BamZipPow For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 06:15 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
|
Cyborg ECU
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coastal Southern California
Posts: 6,299
Thanks: 2,373
Thanked 2,174 Times in 1,470 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave
Swift wouldn't be doing it without tangible MPG benefits.
|
Yup. Could also be that these are test trailers... trying to prove the benefit in their own fleet with their own drivers on a small scale first. ??
__________________
See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 06:38 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
|
Pishtaco
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 1,485
Thanks: 56
Thanked 286 Times in 181 Posts
|
They're proven aerodynamics. Link 1. Link 2. Google semi aerodynamics.
__________________
Darrell
Boycotting Exxon since 1989, BP since 2010
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? George Carlin
Mean Green Toaster Machine
49.5 mpg avg over 53,000 miles. 176% of '08 EPA
Best flat drive 94.5 mpg for 10.1 mi
Longest tank 1033 km (642 mi) on 10.56 gal = 60.8 mpg
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to SentraSE-R For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
09-25-2011, 10:39 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Charlotte NC / York SC
Posts: 728
Thanks: 120
Thanked 56 Times in 52 Posts
|
Orbywan, this would be perfect for your RV !
Has anyone seen one of these in real life ?
 
Last edited by JasonG; 09-25-2011 at 10:52 PM..
Reason: Bad pic link.
|
|
|
|
|
09-27-2011, 09:49 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: sw Washington (state), a little north of Vancouver
Posts: 1,154
Thanks: 298
Thanked 122 Times in 88 Posts
|
Thanks for sharing the pics. What Chaz posted is the closest to what I saw.
I'm happy to report I saw tons of rigs with some kind of trailer side skirts!
|
|
|
|
|
03-17-2012, 05:50 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 16,314
Thanks: 24,440
Thanked 7,386 Times in 4,783 Posts
|
my 1st sighting
I saw my 1st Trailer Tail heading south towards Dallas on I-35 day before yesterday.
I almost 'missed' it as it was not deployed,but rather stowed on the back of a semi,doing 63 mph into a 20 mph headwind.
I kept watching to see if the driver was going to deploy a parachute in an economic wrist-slitting move,but couldn't hang around long enough to watch.
Strange.Very strange!
Autospontaneoustesticularatrophobia I think.  |
|
|
|
|
03-18-2012, 10:01 AM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442
Thanks: 1,422
Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts
|
Probably broke it backing up to a warehouse door.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to slowmover For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
