Air Tabs Installed

[Art_Schlangen]

Well I pull the trigger to and install Air Tabs on my camper. Hoping to cut the wind noise around the passenger door and reduce bugs. We will see how it works. ART

[Jeep_Hauler]

I thinks this topic has allot of room for exploration. Thanks to all of the members that have stepped up, and said what if we did this.... And were willing to open their wallets and try something different. Take a product that was designed for one thing and test it for something else.
I looked at the air foil design and thought that was really a good design. I am in the same position as Art with a small clearance area above the cap, less then 2". So perhaps a modified air foil, tabs would do the trick.
The other areas for drag reduction could be the front jack area and the flat area behind the truck tail lights. Thanks to all of those that posted with their ideas.

[James_]

I would also think they would work well on the sides near the rear... no?

[Art_Schlangen]

bjbear Good question my non expert opinion I think any location would work, I just wanted to disrupt the air in that area and trying to eliminate the cab noise. I chose to put them above the doors. Also I did not want to block the clearance light. As you know this is a******shoot no one has done it before. I will tell you I now have around 700 miles on my truck since I install them no increase in bugs and the cab noise is still min. My wife and came home last weekend into a T-storm high winds we had very little cab noise so I feel they are working. We are leaving for a two week vacation next Wed. We are heading south into bug country so I will have a report for everyone. Thanks to everyone for the support! ART

[bjbear]

Based on Art's reports, I am also going to try the air tabs. I ordered enough to go across the overhang. I'll be installing them in the next week or so.

One thing I am trying to figure out though, is exactly where to put them. My camper overhang is longer than Art's so not sure if they would be better at point "A" on the front edge, or at point "B" similar to Art's install.


"Positive" feedback or suggestions welcome.

Here is a picture of Art's install for reference...

[idaho_camper]

HMS Beagle wrote:
Vortex generators create turbulent flow. Turbulent flow is much better at sticking to surfaces and following curves, hence (the theory is) will close in behind a blunt shape more quickly, reducing the size of the separation bubble behind it. So they should themselves cause a little extra drag, but the reduction in drag due to the smaller separation bubble you are dragging behind more than makes up for it. That's the theory.

Same reason golf balls have dimples. I love the episode of Myth Busters where they dimple a car and compare fuel mileage with vs. without dimples. One of my favorites for sure.

I'm going to look into this air tab thing a bit more. Thanks for posting!

[bighatnohorse]

Art Schlangen wrote:
Ok Hot of the press. I just got back from a 300mile trip. Cab noise from wind 98% gone. My wife and I can speak without screaming. We had a good head wind coming home VERY HAPPY. Bugs about a 90% improvement. Money will spent going to add some on the tail end of camper also to reduce drag on the tail end. I would recommend them It worked for me. ART

Thank you for that report.
The high season for bugs is usually summer/late summer. I hope you get to travel more and gather additional evidence regarding the efficiency of the air tabs.
Please let us know, and again, thank you.

[Art_Schlangen]

HMS No never tried it open. Always close. Did not effect the clearance they are approx 1/2 inch in dept. Maybe a inch.
ART

[HMS_Beagle]

Vortex generators create turbulent flow. Turbulent flow is much better at sticking to surfaces and following curves, hence (the theory is) will close in behind a blunt shape more quickly, reducing the size of the separation bubble behind it. So they should themselves cause a little extra drag, but the reduction in drag due to the smaller separation bubble you are dragging behind more than makes up for it. That's the theory.

I am surprised that it made a big difference placed under the overhang on a camper, but airflow around a complex shape is not easily predictable - even with super computers and software costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Nothing like an experiment! I have a Bigfoot on a 1999 ford that looks very similar to yours, I think I may try it!

Did you notice any difference in noise with rear sliding window open/closed, before/after the air tabs? We don't have a huge increase in wind noise with the camper, but much more if the window is open. Even with a foam boot in place for the cat crawl through.

How tall are they, i.e., how much did they reduce your camper/cab clearance?

[Art_Schlangen]

Pianotuna Awesome I look forward to everyone's results. I did not want to screw into my camper so that is a big reason I use these, Figure it did not work I could remove them. But going to add more. ART

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I put mine as close to the end of the RV as I could. I did have to trim one air tab on each side due to a clearance light.

[IAMICHABOD]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Mine are on the sides and top of the RV at the rear as recommended by the air tabs folks.



This is not my "ride" but is where I placed my tabs.

Thanks,The reason I wanted to see yours is that I wanted to see if you put them before the piece that joins the side to the end cap.

I have no room behind that joint to place them because it is very short and if I put them before it I think they will not be have enough air flow to make them work because that joint is 5/8 in. tall.

Does that sound right? I don't know how much that would disrupt the vortex efect if it is blocked in any way.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It reduced the noise level dramatically. There is improved mileage when traveling with the wind, but very little difference when driving into the wind.

I did not have handling issues so I did not notice any difference in handling.

[Catlin98987]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Mine are on the sides and top of the RV at the rear as recommended by the air tabs folks.



This is not my "ride" but is where I placed my tabs.

How did it work?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Mine are on the sides and top of the RV at the rear as recommended by the air tabs folks.



This is not my "ride" but is where I placed my tabs.

[IAMICHABOD]

Hi pianotuna
I am interested in these too,could you post a picture of yours so we could see how you did it?