Do aero devices really lower cost per mile?

As fleets look for ways to lower rising operating costs, fuel efficiency has become one of the most effective areas for controlling cost per mile. Aerodynamic improvements, both on the tractor and trailer, can deliver measurable gains, helping fleets reduce fuel burn and offset CPM pressures over the long haul.

Do aero devices provide an advantage?

NACFE research shows that equipping tractors and/or trailers with aerodynamic devices can result in significant improvements to fuel economy.

With respect to tractors, fuel savings can range from 1-10% depending on the devices chosen. The combination of drive wheel fairings and wheel covers alone can reduce fuel consumption by roughly 2%, NACFE data shows. With respect to trailers, devices such as nose cones, skirts, under body devices, tails, etc. can also reduce fuel economy.
Here’s a look at a few trailer devices.

TruckWings Technology from ConMet consists of three panels mounted to the back of a truck’s cab. When the truck reaches 52 mph, the panels automatically deploy to help close the gap between the tractor and trailer, reducing aerodynamic drag. The company says this can improve fuel efficiency by 3-6%, depending on configuration and duty cycle.

Designed for quick installation (under 2 hours) and minimal maintenance that aligns with standard tractor PMs, operating costs are low. TruckWings are also designed to last the life of a tractor. When factoring the cost to purchase, install and maintain, ConMet says this aero device adds a fraction of a penny to CPM. The annual CPM reduction resulting from a 4.5% fuel efficiency gain (on average), assuming $3.75 diesel and 90,000 miles per year, is 2 cents. That yields a net reduction in CPM.

“Across a wide range of linehaul and regional fleet applications, TruckWings technology typically delivers payback in the 18- to 24-month range,” said David Craig, VP of customer operations for TruckWings, ConMet. “Fleets with higher annual mileage, sustained highway speeds, or higher fuel prices often see faster payback, while lower-mileage or more urban duty cycles tend to be toward the longer end of that range.”

Aerovolution’s Booster-Tail also utilizes natural air pressure to open automatically at roughly 60 mph. This trailer device was recently tested by Mesila Valley Transportation Solutions (MVT Solutions), an independent, third-party fuel economy testing organization. Results show that a fleet could save 5.04 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles. That’s 0.005 gallons per mile. Assuming $3.75 diesel, that’s a savings of 1.9 cents per mile. Over the course of 90,000 miles, that’s a savings of over $1,700—more than enough to cover the cost of buying and installing one of these devices, the company assures. They’re also designed to be maintenance-free and long-lasting thanks to design elements like reinforced webbing.

Transtex’s Edge Elite Aero System+ incorporates numerous aero devices for trailers that help improve fuel economy by up to 10.5% on a dry van, according to MVT Solutions testing. Payback is generally in the six-month range, according to Transtex. Each of the four system components are designed to be virtually maintenance-free:

• Edge TopKit+ guides airflow into the vacuum behind the rear door
• Edge Flaps allow air through mudflaps while still blocking water and road debris
• Edge Skirts guide air around the trailer, particularly around the bogie
• Edge Fins sit behind the bogie, guiding air around the rear impact guard

Additionally, Transtex’s Edge CabFlex mounts in place of OEM cab extenders, helping to reduce drag and further reduce fuel consumption. CabFlex is made from reinforced thermoplastic and stainless steel. Incorporating Transtex’s unique T-Flex Brackets, CabFlex is also designed to bend without breaking in the event of a jackknife.