Sylvie Willis
Tractor-trailers have some of the worst aerodynamic drag of any vehicles on the road. As a result, more than 50% of their fuel use goes towards reducing aerodynamic drag when they travel on the highway. In recent years, there has been a boom in the advent of fuel-saving aerodynamic devices for trailers, such as trailer tails, to improve the fuel economy of tractor-trailers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of Trailer Tail | $2,000 |
| Fuel savings | 1-9% |
| Fuel savings for EPA-listed trailer tail extensions | 1-4% |
| Fuel savings for EPA-listed skirts | 4-8% |
| Fuel savings for trailer tails at 65 mph | >6% |
| Fuel savings for gap fairings | 2% |
| Fuel savings for side skirts | 4-7% |
| Fuel savings for boat tails | >6% |
| Fuel savings for combination of gap fairings, side skirts and boat tails | 14% |
| Fuel savings for combination of TrailerTail and EcoSkirt | 10% |
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What You'll Learn
Trailer tails can improve fuel efficiency by 6%
Tractor-trailers have some of the worst aerodynamic drag of any vehicles on the road. The huge diesel engines must generate massive torque to tow one, two, or even three trailers, and the resulting assembly has a lot of wind resistance. Trailer tails are add-ons that reduce drag by streamlining the airflow behind the trailer, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
Trailer tails are mounted on the rearmost trailer to smooth the airflow coming off the back, reducing the turbulent wake created by the trailer's square rear end. This reduction in drag leads to improved fuel economy. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program, trailer tail extensions can provide fuel savings of 1 to 4 percent. However, some manufacturers of trailer tails claim that their products can save more than 6% on fuel for tractor-trailers traveling at 65 miles per hour.
One example of a trailer tail is the TrailerTail®, which claims to improve the truck's fuel economy by about 6%. This additional 6% fuel efficiency can be achieved in 30 minutes with a 2-person installation crew. When combined with other fuel-saving technologies, trucks can gain upwards of 25% more fuel efficiency, improving the miles per gallon of a tractor-trailer to over 10 mpg for the most efficient fleets.
The benefits of trailer tails extend beyond fuel savings. The streamlined airflow also makes for a smoother drive, leading to lower driver fatigue. Additionally, trailer tails increase safety by improving the stability of the vehicle. Furthermore, by reducing fuel consumption, trailer tails help keep consumer prices down and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
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Trailer tails cost $2000 each
Trailer tails are an effective way to save fuel. They are mounted on the rearmost trailer to smooth the airflow, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency. Trailer tails cost $2000 each, and they can increase fuel efficiency by 4-6%. This means that the trailer tail can pay back its cost in reduced fuel expenses in less than two years.
The potential fuel savings from using trailer tails are significant. For example, a company that spends $1 million on fuel per year could expect to save more than $140,000 annually with a 14% increase in fuel efficiency. Additionally, the improved aerodynamics provided by trailer tails can reduce wind resistance, leading to even greater fuel savings.
The benefits of trailer tails go beyond fuel savings. They also increase safety by improving stability and reducing driver fatigue due to smoother drives. Furthermore, trailer tails can lead to substantial cost savings, with a payback period of 12 to 32 months on average.
Trailer tail technology is especially relevant for semi-trucks, which often get no more than 2 or 3 miles per gallon of diesel fuel due to the massive torque required to tow multiple trailers. By reducing the aerodynamic drag, trailer tails can significantly improve the fuel economy of these vehicles, resulting in substantial financial and environmental benefits.
Overall, trailer tails are a cost-effective solution for improving fuel efficiency, enhancing safety, and reducing environmental impact, making them a valuable investment for trucking fleets.
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Trailer tails can save trucking companies over $20 billion
Trailer tails are add-ons that improve the aerodynamics of tractor-trailers, reducing the drag caused by the low-pressure area created behind the trailer. This results in significant fuel savings for trucking companies, with estimates ranging from 1% to 9% according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program.
The fuel economy of a tractor-trailer can be improved by about 6% with the use of a trailer tail, leading to substantial cost savings over time. For example, a company that spends $1 million annually on fuel could save more than $140,000 per year with a 14% increase in fuel efficiency by installing trailer tails, side skirts, and boat tails.
The impact of trailer tails on fuel savings is even more significant when combined with other fuel efficiency technologies. If the 2 million trailers currently operating in the US were equipped with trailer tails, it is estimated that America's fuel consumption would be reduced by 5.6 billion gallons over a decade, resulting in savings of over $20 billion for trucking companies. This would also help keep consumer prices down and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 77,000 tons.
Trailer tails are particularly effective in improving the fuel efficiency of semis, which often have poor fuel economy, getting only 2 to 3 miles per gallon of diesel fuel. By reducing the aerodynamic drag, trailer tails can help increase the miles per gallon of tractor-trailers, leading to substantial cost savings for trucking companies.
In addition to the financial benefits, trailer tails also improve safety and stability by reducing turbulence and streamlining airflow, resulting in a smoother drive and lower driver fatigue. This makes trailer tails a valuable investment for trucking companies, contributing to both cost savings and improved driving conditions.
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Trailer tails are most effective when combined with other fuel efficiency technologies
Trailer tails are add-ons that can be attached to the back of trailers to improve their aerodynamics. They reduce drag from the low-pressure area created behind the trailer, thereby improving fuel efficiency. Trailer tails can improve fuel efficiency by 1-9%, depending on the make and model. However, they are most effective when combined with other fuel-saving technologies.
Trailer tails are just one of many aerodynamic modifications that can be made to trailers to improve fuel efficiency. Side skirts, for example, reduce the air underneath trailers, with fuel savings of between 4-8% reported by side skirt manufacturers. Boat tails, which are 24-32 inches in length, can be added to the rear end of trailers to reduce turbulence, saving more than 6% on fuel for tractor-trailers traveling at 65 miles per hour. Gap fairings, which cover the gap between the tractor and the trailer, can reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 6% and improve fuel efficiency by 2%.
When these aerodynamic modifications are implemented together, the fuel savings can be significant. According to industry sources, installing gap fairings, side skirts, and boat tails can increase fuel efficiency by 14% or more. This is because each modification targets a different area of the trailer, improving the overall aerodynamics. Additionally, some devices work better in conjunction with others. For example, the NRC study from the National Resource Council of Canada found that the combined use of a rear fairing (a type of trailer tail) and an EcoSkirt (a type of side skirt) provided a 10% increase in aerodynamics, improving fuel efficiency.
Trailer tails and other aerodynamic modifications are especially important for semi-trucks, which often get no more than 2-3 miles per gallon of diesel fuel due to their huge diesel engines and the aerodynamic drag of their trailers. By improving the fuel efficiency of semis and other heavy trucks, these aerodynamic modifications can lead to substantial cost savings for companies and help keep consumer prices down. Furthermore, with federal fuel efficiency standards for heavy trucks expected to rise in the coming years, implementing these modifications will become increasingly necessary for fleet owners.
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Trailer skirts are another fuel-efficient device
Trailer skirts work by partially covering the gap beneath the trailer, creating a smoother airflow. This minimises the low-pressure zone behind the trailer, which would otherwise increase in size as the truck moves, requiring more energy to maintain its speed.
Trailer skirts have been proven to be effective at any speed, but they are more effective at higher, sustained highway speeds. According to various industry sources, trailer skirts can improve fuel efficiency by 1% to over 5% compared to trailers without them. Some sources claim that fuel savings of between 4% and 8% can be achieved with trailer skirts, and that when combined with other aerodynamic devices, fuel efficiency can be increased by 14% or more.
Trailer skirts have evolved over the years to be lighter in weight, lower in cost, and more damage-resistant, making them a popular choice for improving fuel efficiency. More than 50% of all new 53' vans are now estimated to be built with side skirts installed. The use of trailer skirts is also driven by state and federal regulations focused on reducing carbon emissions from the trucking industry, such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas rules.
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Frequently asked questions
Trailer tails reduce aerodynamic drag by streamlining the airflow behind the trailer, improving the truck's fuel economy by about 6%.
The cost of installing trailer tails is quickly offset by savings at the pump. For example, a company that spends $1 million on fuel per year could save more than $140,000 annually by improving fuel efficiency by 14% or more.
Side skirts, boat tails, and gap fairings can also improve fuel efficiency. These devices reduce wind resistance and improve airflow, resulting in significant fuel savings when implemented together.
Trailer tails have been criticised for being hazardous or dangerous when opened, particularly in crosswinds, snow, or when loading and unloading. However, this can be mitigated by using auto-deployment devices that open the tail when a certain speed is reached.
