My gas mileage with the wind deflector would disagree with you! I bought one 2 years ago and my towing mileage increased by approx. .8mpg. so my $75 craiglist investment paid for itself on our trip to Myrtle Beach. My Excursion tows very differently with it. no more does it downshift at the slightest headwind or hill. and with my scanner the throttle opening % decreased by about 12%. so yes they do work, but as was stated they need top be back near the TT. On my X the wing is at the very rear and it does what it is supposed to do. I believe on a Pick Up truck with a TT it would not be very helpful due to the distance between the trailer and cab.