Add the fairings or not???

If you are doing so good, you wouldn't care so much about getting 5mpg.

Are you even sure your truck is running correctly?

 

That is crazy . i have averaged 7.5mpg pulling a dry van and i have a midroof and 260" wheelbase. 5Mpg there is definatly something else going on with that truck. Althought the fairings and airdam will help , i would be looking for something mechanical going wrong

 

Something is wrong with the truck. Fairings will help, but not that much

 

Yup with 6’ between the truck n trailer all that stuff will do is add weight and it might actually hurt your aerodynamics. If you own the trailer it might not hurt to put one on them big bubble things on the front of it instead.

 

Well I’m glad I started this conversation. I’ll have the truck looked at. I’m no mechanic but I feel like it runs great. But I also feel like it should be getting better mpg.

And regardless of how well I’m doing financially, there is always room to improve. Any opportunity to cut that fuel bill down is a good opportunity.

 

Is there anything else you guys do to get better mileage? Fuel additives? Or any other tips?

Oh my loads vary from 10k to 40k. I run 48 states. So there is mountain driving occasionally. But it doesn’t seem to get better or worse in the different situations.

I’ll look at the math again and make sure but I think it’s very consistent.

 

Well I think the most important thing in this really is the air dam and the cab extenders.

Without the air dam that van trailer is like a brick in the Wind. And if you really have that much space between the cab and your trailer, you absolutely need to have cab extenders. That's like rolling with a parachute behind you.

The other thing is the type of tires that you have, rolling resistance, air pressure, depth of tire tread, being light on the pedal, cruising at the right rpms...

You may or may not have anything mechanically wrong with your truck. But I would start with the air dam and the cab extenders for sure and see what you get after that.

I would imagine that would make a serious difference.

 

To add the aero stuff will cost..
The roof cap to raise the roof to match the trailer parts will run you about $2,500 PLUS labor, can't just bolt it on top. The headlner must come out and bracing added plus paint.
Cab extenders parts, labor and paint about $1,000 a side.
Lower cab side skirts... parts labor and paint around...... $4,000 a side..

 

on the volvo 1/2 the cab skirt is held on by 2 twist handles. Just turn them and lift up and a 4 ft panel comes off

 

If you really have a 6ft gap don’t waste your money on all the fairings. Once you’re over about 4ft it doesn’t matter, the air will be hitting the whole front of your trailer anyway.

 

I agree. I was thinking maybe 3 feet or so. But 6 feet it is too dam much... (Maybe a pun in there somewhere)

Save those thousands of dollars, trade the truck in for a more normal frame length.