FlowBelow's new AeroSlider aims to cut fuel costs
Key Highlights
- FlowBelow’s redesigned Trailer AeroSlider targets fuel savings of 3 gallons per 1,000 miles for equipped trailers.
- The lightweight aerodynamic system installs on existing dry van and refrigerated trailers in under 45 minutes.
- Testing suggests combining trailer wheel covers, rear fairings, and flow-through mud flaps can improve fuel efficiency.
CHARLOTTE— FlowBelow introduced its redesigned Trailer AeroSlider at the American Trucking Associations' 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition, offering fleets a lightweight aerodynamic solution that the company says can save 3 gallons of diesel per 1,000 miles traveled.
“Our goal with the AeroSlider was to develop an aerodynamic system that could pay for itself in less than 18 months for a typical regional or long-haul fleet at $3.00 per gallon diesel,” said Josh Butler, president and chief technology officer of FlowBelow. “At today’s fuel prices, payback can be less than 12 months, even for fleets whose trailers travel as little as 30,000 miles per year.”
The system combines trailer wheel covers, flow-through mud flaps, and rear fairings to reduce turbulence around the trailer's wheels and suspension. Weighing less than 30 lbs., the AeroSlider can be installed on existing dry van and refrigerated trailers in under 45 minutes.
The redesign also addresses mounting and durability issues that led FlowBelow to discontinue an earlier version of the AeroSlider first introduced back in 2017.
"We've cut a tremendous amount of cost, improved performance, and made the product universal and faster to install, so it's been a total game changer," Butler said.
Testing and fleet savings
FlowBelow developed the updated system using computational fluid dynamics, wind-tunnel, and track testing.
In June 2026, MVT Solutions tested the rear fairings and flow-through mud flaps on loaded 53' dry van trailers already equipped with side skirts and wheel covers. The additional components reduced fuel consumption by 1.77 gallons per 1,000 miles.
Separate testing of FlowBelow's trailer wheel covers demonstrated savings of 1.23 gallons per 1,000 miles, bringing the combined potential savings to 3 gallons per 1,000 miles.
Butler noted that testing the new components alongside existing aerodynamic equipment was intentional, providing results more representative of fleets already using side skirts and wheel covers.
At the October 12 national average diesel price of $6.179 per gallon, the combined savings would equal approximately $18.54 per 1,000 miles traveled.
The redesigned AeroSlider requires no driver involvement once installed and is available directly from FlowBelow for retrofits. It can also be spec'd on new trailers through participating manufacturers.
