Forum Discussion

follettjr's avatar
follettjr
Explorer
Dec 31, 2015

Wind Break 5th Wheel

Using a wind break on the top of your truck to deflect the wind from a 5th wheel sounds logical, I would consider it, but I only see a small percentage of rigs using a deflector. Does anyone have any experience using one?
Thanks
Joe
  • Once the deflector gets more then 2-3 feet in front of the cap, it effectiveness drops like a rock.
  • I have one as you can see in my signature pic. I got it from my dad when he moved to a motorhome. All I can tell is it helps to keep the bugs off the front cap. Last year when I was repairing the mounting brackets that were starting to break, I drove with it off several times and did not notice any gains in gas mileage. I did notice more flex on the front cap without it. I have mine on a special rack that bolts to the bed because I did not want to bolt it to the roof. It sits half way back behind the roof. The rack cost 175.00 and the wing would be over 350.00 if I had to buy it. So if I had to buy the whole thing I would not spend 525.00 to keep the bugs of the front cap, but it looks cool.
  • Wind deflector on truck sits on top of truck cab......4' from 5vr front cap and several feet below top of 5vr cap.
    (Semis sit right in front and at same/above trailer top......plus they drive many many miles so a little savings in fuel adds up)

    Cost/benefit ratio is pretty low ......long time to break even on cost of deflector before any savings would be noticed.

    They do move the bug line UP