Air Flow Deflectors
We just had our TT out for the first time in a very long time, and are looking forward to getting it out more frequently here in 2021, with a least 1 long trip planned for this summer, but hoping to g...
Forum Discussion
RHasse wrote:
This isn't very scientific (or not scientific at all), but intuitively it seems that if they reduce the amount of bug splatter on the front of the trailer they must be doing some good in directing air flow over and/or around the trailer.
Yes and no..
Deflectors must be placed close as possible to the next taller object to be helpful in the mileage department.
Too far away from the taller object and you now get drag behind the deflector caused by the vacuum created behind the deflector..
Found a informative website that may help explain it better than I can..
HERE
I think you will find the "jury" is out on whether they are really effective for improving mileage or not. Some folks insist they get much better mileage, some folks ignore and side step that question which also says a lot.
I think they are in the "maybe" category and if they did improve the mileage, it will not result in a large significant improvement and may not be enough savings in fuel to pay for the deflector unless you are racking up tens of thousands of miles towing per yr.
My Dad had one for his 5th, never heard him bragging about it improving his mileage (and trust me, he ALWAYS bragged about everything he modified to improve his fuel mileage but this was not one of those items), he did however spend less time removing bugs.
