You only need a windbreaker where ever the bug line is. Doubtful you will see a great deal of difference.
If the truck has a flat top or mid/roof sleeper the dome will help on long expressway trips with the fuel mi.
I removed the roof fairing on my truck when I was young and dumb cause it didn’t look “cool.” My fuel mileage dropped approximately .4 mpg. Idk how that compares to a trailer dome.
I did the same for hauling tanks, now im dry box. I wonder how much a year in cash it is in fuel. 3k?
I've put nose cones on vans, hoopers, curtain sides for O/O. Mostly day cabs or flat top sleeper trucks. I have heard .2-.4 increase. I currently have no need on my trailers. But if I did, I would install one.
I put 80,000 miles a year on my truck. If my math is right that would save me around 1,450 gallons a year. If you figure diesel at $2.50 a gallon that’s $3,625 a year. For an OTR guy it would be a good bit more.
These kind of figures are very important to an O/O. Start comparing an older truck that makes around 2-3 mpg less than a nearly new truck and add in the additional down time and repair cost of an older truck versus a newer one. Also the newer and more expensive the truck the more tax depreciation you have. I drive a 3 year old truck pulling a 21 model trailer with guys in wore out million miler trucks hauling wood chips. They all say I have all the money, but I’ve had an old truck too. What so many don’t realize is you are money ahead with newer equipment. It will pay for the extra cost plus save you extra money. I’ve had old and I’ve had fairly new and new is much better, safer, and economical.
What's the payment on a new truck? 5.5mpg vs 8.5mpg at my average fuel cost of 2.30 saves 11.8k per year. Insurance goes up with a new truck. Without counting down time my calculations tell me new vs old is a wash. A benefit of an old paid off truck is if it does break there is no truck payment to worry about.