I can't give you any first hand info, other than an observation. One heck of a lot of big trucking companies do something of the sort. They wouldn't be spending their money if they didn't see a return on it.

Of course the best answer, probably, is to buy the full fairing for the tractor when you buy it new. . .

(But then not all of us can afford to buy NEW. . .)

What kind of truck do you have?

I've got one on mine, when I was pulling a van it made a difference but its always been on the truck, the most I do is raise or lower it. I gained around 1mpg just by raising it up to push the air over the front of the trailer.

It does work well for mpg...but also is very effective for creating truck stop envy. "There goes a REALLY fast truck"

Well I give myself a top running speed of about 105Kph (about 65 Mph) so I guess that speed envy would only translate into when I'm parked hahahahaa.

Originally Posted by Les2

What kind of truck do you have?

I have a 2000 Western Star with a CAT....3206 I think? Hmm....I was standing on top of that engine yesterday looking right down at that label and STILL I have trouble remembering that number. Despite the reliability of my engine, (It's frickin' bullet proof) it's a thirsty kitty and pulling a flat wall behind me doesn't help. I also only have a 48" sleeper so I can't get the van as close to the cab as I would like in most cases.

Originally Posted by Les2

I gained around 1mpg just by raising it up to push the air over the front of the trailer.

A mile per gallon? Yowza. If I run 10,000 miles, that's a savings of tens of thousands if I can achieve the same! You sure you were doing your figurin' right?

Originally Posted by Big Don

I can't give you any first hand info, other than an observation. One heck of a lot of big trucking companies do something of the sort. They wouldn't be spending their money if they didn't see a return on it.

Of course the best answer, probably, is to buy the full fairing for the tractor when you buy it new. . .

(But then not all of us can afford to buy NEW. . .)

Good answer actually you're quite right. Many company fleets have the wings on their trucks if the sleeper doesn't come up all the way or if the truck is a flat top. Hmm...ok then. That's a good thing to think of.

As for buying the faring on the truck new...Well I guess I'm about 9 years too late and tens of thousands of dollars short hahahaha.

Cheers

Canuck: stand in the back of a pickup truck on the interstate, and hold a 4x4 piece of plywood at an angle with the edge on the roof of the truck.
Then step back a bit and hold it flat to the wind.
You'll find out.


Hoo Lordy I'm inna good mood tanite!