Areo improvements for Flying Bricks?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Markvfl, Jan 26, 2010.

  1. Markvfl

    Markvfl Road Train Member

    1,103
    338
    Nov 29, 2007
    Apopka, FL
    0
    I have an 05 379 Pete with 63 inch mid roof sleeper and 265 wb, standard stuff. Already made the all inexpensive ACERT engine mods and usually run 62mph average getting 5.6 to 5.7 avg. When I started pulling a van I dropped nearly 1mpg in fuel mileage. I have no aero improvements. I try to run the trailer as close to the sleeper as possible and can keep it at 36 inches or a little less. I know that the fiberglass roof fairing is probably the best way to improve mileage but it's so ugly. I want a wing but reluctant to spend $1200 only to find it gives a small return in mileage. I see many different types of deflectors out there and not afraid to ask people how they work but I get a different answer from nearly everyone. I need to do something to get mileage up. To complicate things, I added an RV A/C unit when I was pulling step decks so some deflectors won't work.

    I'd like to hear what is working on other "flying bricks" like mine. All you W900, Western Star, 379 Pete owners - let's hear what works and doesn't work for you. I was reading about trailer nose cones adding .5 to 1.2 mpg? Airtabs? Wings? Deflectors?
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2010
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

    1,185
    598
    Dec 21, 2008
    Fostoria, Ohio
    0
    The best option if your worried about MPG is to trade to a more aero truck. Sorry to be harsh, but its true. Next best is the whole fiberglass fairing for the roof. The "whale tails" and Taylor wings will do little for ya since they don't direct all the air and the air can still get "trapped" behind the cab and in front of the trailer. Also wit these last two you won't have room for the RV A/C unit. I currently run my '06 379 with a C-15 ACERT pulling Schneider wagons with a average of 5.8 to 6.4 MPG (depending on all the variables). If Schneider took better care of their trailers I would be able to get another .1 or .2 MPG.

    The best place to start is to spend the money on a tuned ECM or a downloader. Yeah both are a lot of money, but the return is even greater. Also I'm not telling you how to drive, but the ACERTs love the low RPMs. If your not upshifting at 1300 or 1350 then your over revving it. Also keep the boost low on acceleration and don't run the cruise control. The cruise will give the motor max throttle on the small hills and this will eat up your MPG quickly. The motor is the key to making any vehicle effiecent. If you don't start their your just wasting time and money.
     
    schneidely Thanks this.
  4. Mack427

    Mack427 Medium Load Member

    323
    92
    Jan 22, 2009
    0
    something else to try put shorter rubber on the steer axle that will drop your nose down not only make it a little less of a brick but also cuts the amount of air going under the truck
     
  5. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

    3,270
    2,532
    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
    0
    Closing spaces between the frame rails behind the cab/sleeper with some diamond plate will also help.
     
  6. Markvfl

    Markvfl Road Train Member

    1,103
    338
    Nov 29, 2007
    Apopka, FL
    0
    Thanks guys. I am lazy and run the cruise control 95% of the time. I have a 550 brakesaver program and do drive easy when going thru the gears, just like it says on The Official Caterpillar Website. :) Don, I'd love to trade the truck but I can't even get my payoff offered by any dealer on a truck I'd like to have. But I might bite the bullet and take a loss, roll it into another finance contract and start running team. I'm thinking Volvo 880 with Cummins.

    Anyone run a trailer nose cone or air tabs? What do you think about them? I'm thinking of putting Air Tabs across my roof and under my bumper and battery boxes to smooth air flow under the truck and going into the tandems and of course the trailer. I figure I need 40 and at 3 bucks a pop it isn't a big deal to try them, unless someone has and they don't work?
     
  7. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

    1,185
    598
    Dec 21, 2008
    Fostoria, Ohio
    0
    I also looked at trading in my truck about a year ago...then I stumbled across 4 or 5 members here and on another site that lead me in the right direction. Now I wouldn't trade my "flying brick" for any other truck. Mostly cause I can actually work on this truck without having to tear half of it apart just to change a hose or filter. Also after all the mods I've done I'm getting a average of 5.8-6.4 MPG average and trust me...my aero package is worse than yours. Like I stated before...go after improving the engine and the "flying brick" will surprise you.
     
  8. power freak

    power freak Light Load Member

    220
    60
    Apr 23, 2009
    0
    we run the nose cone on our vans and it seems to help alot and i dont think they are that exspensive. We have a 379 with a acert that runs vans and he gets about 5.6 loaded both ways at 80,000.
     
    Markvfl Thanks this.
  9. lastgoodusername

    lastgoodusername Medium Load Member

    444
    215
    Dec 18, 2008
    central NC
    0
    i have a nose cone on my conestoga. it helps, johnny
     
  10. Cat nip

    Cat nip Light Load Member

    192
    10
    Jan 17, 2010
    Magnolia, TX
    0
    I just took off a whale tale on my 379 and my mpg's went up .5
     
  11. schneidely

    schneidely Bobtail Member

    18
    2
    Mar 21, 2008
    Pennellville,NY
    0
    I agree with pulling trucker its the only way, tabs are meant to break the vacuum on the back of the trailer not smooth air out.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.