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hershey's avatar
hershey
Explorer
Sep 22, 2013

Fuel mileage and the huge mud flap across the back

Just thinkin'.
I see a lot of conversions to the tractor trailer rigs where the distance between trailer wheels and tractor is now skirted to decrease the effect of wind drag and increase fuel mileage. It must have some factual positive effect because of the larger and larger number of them becoming visible.
Is there any benefit to reducing drag with the large mud flaps on a MH? Or does that flap increase wind drag?
Has anyone found any perceived factual info that encourages or discourages the use as a fuel mileage enhancement????
Class A

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  • RayChez's avatar
    RayChez
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    I agree with tkcas01. If there is no difference on my coach whether I am towing a toad or if I am not on the fuel mileage. I am sure a mud flap is not going to make any difference. I get 8 mpg average whether I am towing or not.
  • tkcas01's avatar
    tkcas01
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    Yes, the skirts you see under the tractor trailers supposedly result in 7% or so in fuel savings. For someone driving hundreds of thousands of miles for a living, this could add up.

    http://freightwing.com/

    I'm no aerodynamic engineer, but I doubt the rear flap on class As have much of an effect one way or the other. The idea behind the skirt is to reduce the turbulence behind the tractor and under the trailer. The rear flap on motorhomes is toward the back and has little affect on the aerodynamics of the motorhome that precedes it.

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