Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

"Air tabs" are vortex generators. Creating a vortex causes airflow to follow the contours of a surface better. I know of two uses for them. Some cars have them at the rear of the roof to eliminate the turbulent air behind the rear glass, and some light planes have them on the leading edge of the wing to reduce stall speed (Wings stop producing lift when the air over the top of the wing becomes turbulent). I have seen them on tractors, but I sort of question the value. If the idea is to make the air follow the shape of the object it seems like it could cause air to wrap around the back of the tractor causing a high pressure area in front of the trl that would reduce efficiency. It might not work out that way, but I have my doubts that anyone ever put a tractor trailer in a wind tunnel to see what the effects are (otherwise they would probably cost $1000+ like anything else for a class 8 tractor). If a group of people showed me empirical evidence that they worked I'd shut up and buy some.

 

Think about it. If you're paying a 90 percent markup to these places, you are VERY important to them, just not in the way you would normally think. 12 dollar sub though? Subways are everywhere and and at most truck stops, priced same as at home.

 

I suspect that if air tabs improved fuel mileage by even 1 or 2 tenths of a mile, then all the big companies (Central included) would be putting them on every company run tractor in the fleet. Same deal as the super single tires that are put on every company truck. Same deal as the air flow wings underneath the trailers.

 

Yeah. I didn't buy their food. It was at whiskey Pete's at the 1 on 15 in Nevada.

 

The only company I know that puts them on all the tractors is NFI. I like your thinking; if Mesa valley doesn't have them (they have side skirts, trl tails, and drive wheel fairings on most of their equipment) than there's a good chance they don't do much.

 

The only company I know that puts them on all the tractors is NFI. I like your thinking; if Mesa valley doesn't have them (they have side skirts, trl tails, and drive wheel fairings on most of their equipment) than there's a good chance they don't do much.

 

Got a call today to do Midwest dedicated. .41/mi 1,800-2,200/week. Loads are 300-500 miles per load. For mcklane and kraft. He pretty much assumed that I wanted it. When I called him back he was like yeah I already called salt lake and let them know. So I guess I'm on Midwest dedicated. lol

 

I guess they got you to take these dumb loads they've been giving me. Welcome.

 

Saying its not worth it? Or not worth it at the basic pay rate?

 

The Midwest runs are like solo lease ops. There are a lot of people who have tried it. There's only a few who keep on doing it. Wouldn't be too bad of a deal if you sleep in your own bed most of the time. I liked my DM but that's about it! Vacations almost over! Noooooo