Chassis Skirts

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by tjbixby85, Apr 25, 2013.

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  1. Apr 25, 2013 #1
    tjbixby85

    tjbixby85 Bobtail Member

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    I am an engineer and would like to know opinions on chassis skirts. Who do you think has the best and the worst chassis skirts? What do you like about each chassis skirt and what do you dislike? What features would you like to see added or removed from certain designs? Any and all opinions on chassis skirts would be greatly appreciated.
     
    tjbixby85, Apr 25, 2013
    tjbixby85, Apr 25, 2013
    #1
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  3. Apr 25, 2013 #2
    eeb

    eeb Heavy Load Member

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    Don't know the solutions, but a couple problems I've noticed are blocked access to spare tires, and difficulty seeing and removing ice from the air lines going to the trailer tandems
     
    eeb, Apr 25, 2013
    eeb, Apr 25, 2013
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  4. Apr 25, 2013 #3
    Scania man

    Scania man Road Train Member

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    Just have opening side skirts, problem solved!
     
    Scania man, Apr 25, 2013
    Scania man, Apr 25, 2013
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  5. Apr 25, 2013 #4
    Scania man

    Scania man Road Train Member

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    are you planning on making them? Good business to be in with the rise of fuel prices!
     
    Scania man, Apr 25, 2013
    Scania man, Apr 25, 2013
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  7. Apr 25, 2013 #5
    eeb

    eeb Heavy Load Member

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    Wanna keep em flexible too, so they don't shatter or get damaged on curbs, snowbanks, misc. obstacles that jump into the way.
     
    eeb, Apr 25, 2013
    eeb, Apr 25, 2013
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    tjbixby85 Thanks this.
  8. Apr 25, 2013 #6
    tjbixby85

    tjbixby85 Bobtail Member

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    I work for a trucking company on chassis skirts for production trucks. We are looking at doing a possible refresh of the skirts in the next couple of years and I want to get some information straight from the truckers who are driving the trucks.

    an articulating skirt is definitely on our minds for battery access.

    What about fuel fill locations, SCR access, or other such areas? What features do truckers truly want from the skirts?

    We are also looking into different materials to increase the impact strength.


    Also, whatever issues or concerns you currently have, such as the airline ice issue, are greatly appreciated as we can try to address them the best we can. No solutions needed as we will be working to get the issues solved.
     
    tjbixby85, Apr 25, 2013
    tjbixby85, Apr 25, 2013
    #6
  9. Apr 25, 2013 #7
    dschmidt201

    dschmidt201 Light Load Member

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    I thought the same thing
     
    dschmidt201, Apr 25, 2013
    dschmidt201, Apr 25, 2013
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  10. Apr 25, 2013 #8
    bigjoel

    bigjoel Road Train Member

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    When I first looked at this, I thought it said CHASING SKIRTS.

    That would be a whole other topic!
     
    bigjoel, Apr 25, 2013
    bigjoel, Apr 25, 2013
    #8
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  11. Apr 25, 2013 #9
    FRG1735

    FRG1735 Light Load Member

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    be more flexible
     
    FRG1735, Apr 25, 2013
    FRG1735, Apr 25, 2013
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  12. Apr 25, 2013 #10
    Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Oh, I get it now. Skirts on trucks. I thought trailers. I am not a fan of any side skirts on my truck. Never have, probably never will. I like being able to conveniently access everything, getting under truck to inspect and grease, etc. Side skirts on trucks usually look like crap and are falling apart in a couple of years it seems like. No thanks. will just paint the fuel tanks and have my side boxes. Of trucks I have driven that had side skirts, I have never seen one bit of fuel mileage improvement over non skirt. Of course, it all depends on setup either way. Since my frame rails are populated with stuff that is actually productive instead of just sitting their looking neat and making my truck and "EPA Smartway" truck, gaps and such are not large enough, nor is the aerodynamics that far off that having the lack of easy access and also the increased problem of side skirts worth it. This is one area where me, the EPA, CARB, and Kevin Rutherford part ways.
     
    Cowpie1, Apr 25, 2013
    Cowpie1, Apr 25, 2013
    #10
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