Will air deflector/fairing increase my MPG actually?

It's an interesting idea, and would be a cool project, but honestly, the more I think about it, it probably won't net you that much MPG.

Truckers do it because they are driving many thousands (millions) of miles on those things, so a couple extra % on their MPG ends up saving a lot over the years/miles. The extra weight they lug around with the trailer fairings etc... is pretty negligible for an 80,000 pound rig. The extra weight on a 4,000 rig would be more noticeable.

Ideally, a modern flip-top that has a much lower driving profile (probably lighter, too) would be your best bet. Although those things are pretty pricey (if you think RTTs are expensive, check out the flippers!) so you'd likely never make any money back on potential fuel savings.

 

See post #7...

 

@jbrandt yeah I think you are right it wouldn't net me that much of a MPG increase in the long run and would be kind of awkward to swing out of the way every time that I need to open the back (not to mention the dreaded added weight). I would love a four wheel camper but they are so expensive....

 

If your going to be driving 75,000 miles a year you might pay for the modifications .

While a great idea in theory .

Take notice you never see all that stuff on local tractors and trailers there is a reason

 

@Wyoming09 that is a good point. I am not putting anywhere near that many miles on the truck haha

 

I did see a few ideas that might make more sense, like bolt-on fairings that round off the corners and re-direct the airflow. Not intrusive like those big fairings mentioned earlier.

You basically just want to try and keep the airflow from gathering at the back and creating a low pressure zone.

 

@jbrandt I haven't see those before that is a good idea. I wonder if I would actually gain any discernible MPG's from it....

 

depends on how many miles you put in, but probably not, lol. Given the relative ease of installation (although I'm sure you'd have to custom make something), it's probably not a bad idea - one of those "it couldn't hurt" things...

Probably just take some sheet metal and bend it around the corners to soften up the sharp edges.

Or just drive slower, lol.

 

@jbrandt true true. I already drive pretty slow though....

 

oh, well then. You're pretty screwed...

All those aero mods work better the faster you go. So maybe to do the mods, then drive like you stole it... End up at the same MPG you get now, lol

 

@jbrandt Haha yeah I rarely go over 65 mph on the freeway. I owned a hybrid car as my first car many years ago and have maintained a lot of gentle driving habits from that. A scanguage has also been really helpful in seeing my mpg's and helping me adjust my driving.

 

Brah

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