Truck Airfoil
Does the cost of installing a airfoil on the cab roof of my truck offset any increase in gas mileage because of the aerodynamics? Does the airfoil effect handling of the truck while hauling a 35 foot ...
Forum Discussion
What we are really talking about is, or the object should be, reducing drag. Drag is caused by air turbulence. It occurs between the truck and the trailer, along the sides of the trailer, over the roof of the trailer, under the trailer and behind the trailer. It is worse when there are square corners on trailer. Just rounding them makes a significant difference, and that has largely been done on fivers.
The truck cab is too far away from the front of the fiver to employ a foil that will help improve the turbulence situation. In fact, additional turbulence will be created between the truck and trailer, which in turn will increase drag.
The best way to reduce drag on a fiver would be impractical. You would have to eliminate everything on the roof, awnings and other obstructions on the sides of the trailer, spare tires, steps and other obstructions under the trailer, etc.
One thing that everyone could do is not carry spare tires, bicycles, ladders and other clutter on the back of the fiver. It all causes turbulence. If the back of the trailer is at right angles to the sides and roof, rounding them would make a difference. Think jumbo jet when you think of improving trailer aerodynamics. The front of a jet is rounded in a dome shape, and the rear is brought to a diminishing point or "boat tail." That would be the best shape for the trailer. Then all you would have to do is conquer the truck.
The air foil won't help. :)
The truck cab is too far away from the front of the fiver to employ a foil that will help improve the turbulence situation. In fact, additional turbulence will be created between the truck and trailer, which in turn will increase drag.
The best way to reduce drag on a fiver would be impractical. You would have to eliminate everything on the roof, awnings and other obstructions on the sides of the trailer, spare tires, steps and other obstructions under the trailer, etc.
One thing that everyone could do is not carry spare tires, bicycles, ladders and other clutter on the back of the fiver. It all causes turbulence. If the back of the trailer is at right angles to the sides and roof, rounding them would make a difference. Think jumbo jet when you think of improving trailer aerodynamics. The front of a jet is rounded in a dome shape, and the rear is brought to a diminishing point or "boat tail." That would be the best shape for the trailer. Then all you would have to do is conquer the truck.
The air foil won't help. :)
