Wind deflectors - has anyone used one and do they work

I own one and the only reason was my father got rid of his trailer and got a motor home. I have it mounted on a taylor wings mount that is bolted to the bed of the truck and rises up behind the cab because I did not want to bolt it to the roof. I don't see any savings with it as it is too far away from my fiver. They work on tractor trailers but on pickups they are just too far away fom the trailer. I would not have it if it wasn't for the money I have invested. I would save your cash. You can see mine in my signature.

Let's see; a wind deflector and nitrogen in the tires should save me $$!

Sturgeon-Phish wrote:
I remember a question like this from a while back and the deflectors changed where the bugs splattered
Jim

agree for most applications

Jim

Very expensive bug catcher. I would save the money and buy something you really would like to add to your truck or rv..

Remember, what it LOOKS like it does and what it ACTUALLY does is often two different things. The study of aerodynamics is a complicated science, and just looking at what we think will be airflow is pointless.

Even if it did increase airflow and MPG's with a trailer attached, which is doubtful, also consider the extra weight of the contraption will decrease MPG's as will driving around with the thing without the trailer.

Also consider the air dams you see on tractor trailers have been scientifically tested, and even a minuscule improvement will pay off on a vehicle that is driven 100,000 + miles yearly for 8 to 10 years.

Hey... It did not help with fuel mileage. But took away all the chucking. We have a 40 ft 5er 13 tall

Didn't save any money on fuel and that was with a mid profile flat front fiver and a short bed truck. With a long bed truck and today's curved front caps and taller fiver, I absolutely don't see how it would do anything but catch bugs, and then only some of the bugs.

Desert Captain wrote:
Yes they work.

They are more efficient the closer you get them to the front of the trailer.

I get an additional 1.5 to 2.0 mpg so the break even point was 6,000 miles of towing at $3.50 per gallon. The deflector cost $377 delivered. It took about one year and now the savings go directly into my pocket.

Yes, when properly aligned you will not get bugs on the front of your trailer. :C

Is that your fifth wheel wind deflector experience?:S

Hi,

Properly designed and placed the deflectors do help save fuel.

fuel saving retrofit

The real problem is where to buy a researched developed product.

Jonny Cohen

Green Shields

On the semi's they tell us for the air foils to work, the trailer needs the be snug (within 3') of the tractor. Most pickup to 5'r combinations you will be spread out to far. The newer 5'rs have aerodynamic noses to help the air flow around them. Heartland claims a 1-2 mpg improvement with their design. Each rig is different and thus they each require their own solution.

If it makes you feel any better I ran the numbers for the trucks assigned to my location for last week. 21 tractors ran a little over 44,000 miles, consumed around 7,700 gallons of diesel at a fleet average of 6.12 mpg. Our target is 6.2 mpg as we are a short haul operation. To me, 10-12 mpg looks great! Yes, I know its apples to oranges. Speed, idle and tire pressure are killers to mpg. I'd start there. What about when your not hooked up? What happens to your mpg when your just running around town with it up there and no trailer?