| Author | Message | ||
     Sifo |
About a month ago Svh asked the question "Lately I have been seeing more trailers with what I would call skirting from the jack to the first axle. From experience, either yours or others, how much fuel does that save? If I recall the average semi-truck gets 8mpg." I'm pretty sure this isn't what you had in mind, but it is related and pretty interesting. I just couldn't find the link when you had asked before. http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/11/05/semi-truck-b oat-tail-improves-fuel-efficiency-7-5/  EDIT: Original post... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/515586.html?1258586807 (Message edited by SIFO on December 16, 2009) | ||
| Etennuly |
No way that would go down the road in the U.S. without the air space in it being filled with cargo of some sort! I like the slide out bumper, wonder if it doubles as a lift gate? | ||
| Sifo |
I wonder about the ability to load/unload. It is very much like what Lee Parks describes when discussing aerodynamics on bikes in his Total Control book. If they can save 5-7% on fuel they would be kind of foolish to refuse to use it just because it's "empty space". | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Latest thing is humpback semis, top of the trailer has a profile like a wing. Supposed to give a few percent fuel saving. I'm posting on the phone from the truck, stuck in a snow blockage. I'll try and post a link when (if) I get home. | ||
| Svh |
Looks to me that the pieces fold out of the way to allow dock unloading. Very cool concept. I really wish the trucking industry would become more accepting of these aerodynamic helpers. Maybe there costs out weigh there advantages right now but like the skirts I can't see this costing much money relatively speaking. Thanks for retouching on the subject also. Lately I have been seeing more semi's with wheel discs as hubcaps, that must help some with economy. Edit: I see in the link that the side skirts can add up to 9% better fuel efficiency. I wonder if that is for the jack to front axle skirts I have been seeing or for a full length skirt like the drawing details. (Message edited by svh on December 17, 2009) | ||
| Aesquire |
That would probably be for full length skirts. One nice thing about reducing drag, it cuts down on the side blasts when passing ( or being passed ) and should improve safety. Really, there is no reason you can't fill that space, I even bet you could run the bottom plate parallel with the trailer floor, and use it as a floor extension for loading/unloading, without much aero penalty. I do bet the add on boattail pictured above is lighter though, and an integrated boat tail would limit volume somewhat. As a retrofit, it's very economical, as are side skirts. | ||
| Court |
That's interesting. Ever get the feeling that the trucking industry may be a prime candidate for the next surge of technical innovation . . like the personal phone has seen the last 15 years? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
http://www.donbur.co.uk/gb/products/aerodynamic_te ardrop_trailer.shtml Here's the link to Don-Bur, the design was patented a couple of years ago, apparently about 10% fuel saving. | ||
| Petereid |
Titanium 5th wheel RV uses a special nose to cut drag and improve fuel economy. On the bigger units I'm not sure it makes a huge difference. http://www.glendalerv.com/2010/Titanium/Titanium20 10.html |
