VorBlade Invisible Fairing...

[BamZipPow]

Found this article about a "new" vortex generator...Vorblades. Anyone ever hear of these or seen these in person before?

VorBlades Twist Air into Fuel-saving Vortices, Their Maker Claims - Trailer Talk - TruckingInfo.com

VorBlade

In the above article, they mention the EPA's SmartWave program...
SmartWay Technology Program | SmartWay | US EPA"

...and the VorBlade Wing (made from VorBlades) is listed under the "Advanced Trailer End Fairing" section.
Avantechs Inc VorBlade Wing (with Crosswinds Mitigator subsystem)

[gone-ot]

When your aerodynamics are those of a self-propelled brick, just about anything will/can have some kind of ±effect.

However, 'P.T.Barnum' comes to MY mind first over any actual *proven* benefits.

[MadScientistMatt]

Looks semi-plausible. It would be interesting to see how they do in a wind tunnel, but it also seems pretty specialized for that particular shape. It might be possible to copy it onto a something like a camper truck, but I wouldn't expect it to work on a sedan, for example. When something has the aerodynamics of a brick - literally - funneling air down into the space behind it tends to help.

[jamesqf]

Yeah, hardly seems like unicorn corral material.

[slowmover]

Was reading about these today. The pdf download on "tech" is worthwhile for discussion and images in re aero only. Recommended!

I'd like to try the system on my travel trailer. Especially the wings. Expense would have to considered, thus a ways down on what the combined rig has to have, first, and then the list of wants. Having a full ON dork attack is muted by lack of spare cash, thankfully.

One 5er owner on WOODALLS reports 4-5%, but one has the impression that testing is made difficult by few annual miles and any protocol. He's moved to a conventionally hitched toy hauler, and I pity anyone trying to replicate testing with one of those. ("But, dear, I'm gonna save the whales, make Jesus fig tree fruit, and my johnson will be longer. Just need to interrupt another vacation trip with two more hours at the truck stop scales").

That said, were my high average of 16-mpg for the combined rig improved by 7.86%, then it would look to be worth a full mpg. More a bragging rights thing (as with testing empty trucks around here). Reducing tire loads is what any of this is about on this forum, and a loaded pickup is that balance between understeer and FE, plus wind or lateral stability. A trailer, even more so.

OTOH, were crosswind stability improved (reduction of steering inputs in number and time duration), then driver fatigue reduction would be the worthwhile metric to assign. Accident risk minimizing also weighs highly.

As my hitch type ready nearly eliminates trailer sideways movement, I'd be willing to declare these a success by installation on the pickup and bed shell as there is no question of heightened interaction of winds between truck rear and trailer front. The adverse winds affecting the driver in that instance. Even at below highway speeds this is noticeable due to the sail area of a crew cab 3/4T with 8' bed and full bed shell. Were that force ameliorated, it'd be a winner in my book. I also live in one of the windiest regions of the country.

I've already installed a rear antiroll bar (and upsized the front) with a rear Panhard Rod to be done soon for this problem. Enormous improvement while solo. I'd think anyone around this forum is already sensitive to vehicle handling.

My 2WD truck has rack & pinion steering with IFS. A 4WD tends to have crap steering and live axle. Anyone reading other testing with pickups will have a hard time separating traction-tire tread-squirm and dead steering "noise" out of the way. Five percent or more will be difficult to quantify. Then come the usual problems of alignment, caliper drag, and uneven loading. Minute leaks in TC systems. Same for trailer. Needs alignment to less than quarter-inch even rand new. Brake drag and bearing pre-set cannot be assumed. Etc.

Same kind of problem for the usual squared trailer of any hitch type. They ride too high. Ground clearance allows a pair of dogs fighting to barely slow down going under one. My neighbors big 5'er is at 25" GC and mine is a hair under 17". I'd try skirting a non aero trailer, first. That 28% drag factor is gigantic.

Unlike my older TT shown in sig link, the current model has a front like the Brenderup horse trailers. Skin trails back from a mid height nose. A shallow V-section. Tail is identical. Might make for some interesting placement re the Vorblades wing, etc.

Fun to play with the idea, any way. Just gotta do like the smart guys and put on my BZP hat then tune the aerial with the Freebeard antenna analyzer to Radio Aerohead.

[ChazInMT]

[dirtydave]

UGHH such foolishness woah man just make your vehicle ugly and save money what is the problem?

[slowmover]

An air conditioned go kart isn't in need of crosswind force amelioration.

My pickup truck and travel trailer have a combined length of sixty five feet. The trailer is nine feet tall. Its a helluva exit at the tail. And each trailer side is over three hundred square feet. Quite a distance for wind loads to increase.

There are no easy ways to change the aero. I might someday work a dam and skirts along the front and down the sides to the axles. But can't past that.

I'm not willing to damage re-sale value either. The ideas surrounding a nose cone or rear appendages involve or would involve changes that include holes in the aluminum. I'm open, but not really willing.

As I wrote above, if the devices lessened crosswind problems -- an indirect FE benefit -- I'd consider the money well spent.

The loads against the tires are what matter.

There are too many reports that to me as a truck driver I have read or heard that the airflow down the trailer is improved by Aerotabs. Some more on this system. That the tail of the trailer is better at staying put. Those rigs are only a maximum of eight feet longer than mine. The rig I drive for work is shorter than my private vehicle.

Besides, unless shown otherwise I have some faith in TTI as a prestigious institution. Americas leader in transportation studies.

[aerohead]

There is a microblade VG technology which has lowered the fuselage drag of a C-130 Hercules by 15-counts.It's application is different than with a semi.

[slowmover]

I've been seeing these more on expediter trucks. AirTabs are already common.