Katerina Swanson
Tractor-trailers have some of the worst aerodynamic drag of anything on the road, with more than 50% of their fuel use dedicated to overcoming this. Trailer tails are aerodynamic add-ons that can be attached to the back of a trailer to smooth the airflow, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency. Trailer tails can save a semi up to 6% of its diesel fuel, with some sources claiming that when combined with other fuel efficiency technologies, trucks can gain upwards of 25% more fuel efficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of Trailer Tail | $2,000 |
| Fuel savings | 1-9% |
| Fuel savings of EPA-listed trailer tail extensions | 1-4% |
| Fuel savings of EPA-listed skirts | 4-8% |
| Fuel savings from a combination of components | 9% or higher |
| Fuel savings from gap fairings | 2% |
| Fuel savings from side skirts | 4-7% |
| Fuel savings from boat tails | 6%+ |
| Fuel savings from a combination of gap fairings, side skirts, and boat tails | 14%+ |
| Fuel savings from trailer tails and side skirts | 5,300 liters per truck per year |
| Fuel savings from trailer tails alone | $1,000+ per trailer per year |
| Fuel savings from trailer tails for 2 million trailers in the US | 5.6 billion gallons over a decade |
| Fuel savings from trailer tails for 2 million trailers in the US in dollar terms | $20 billion+ |
Explore related products
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. This is due to the huge diesel engines they use to tow one, two, or even three trailers. To combat this, trailer tails are an add-on that can be attached to the rearmost trailer to smooth the airflow coming off the back, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency.
Trailer tails work by creating a tapered shape that reduces drag from the low-pressure wake created behind the trailer. This is a vacuum-like effect, known as base drag, that sucks back on the forward movement of the trailer and truck pulling it. Trailer tails can also increase safety by improving stability and reducing driver fatigue.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program, trailer tail extensions can save fuel by 1 to 4 percent. However, some sources claim that trailer tails can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 6%. For example, the company ATDynamics sells a $2,000 "Trailer Tail" that they claim can improve fuel economy by 6%. At this rate, the Trailer Tail can pay back its cost in reduced fuel expenses in less than two years.
Trailer tails are not the only aerodynamic add-on that can improve fuel efficiency. Side skirts, for example, reduce the air underneath trailers and have been reported to save fuel by between 4% and 7%. Boat tails, which are 24 to 32 inches long, can be added to the rear of a trailer to reduce turbulence. These have been shown to save more than 6% on fuel for tractor-trailers traveling at 65 miles per hour. When combined, some aerodynamic components can offer fuel savings of 9% or higher.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled: How Much Does It Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trailer tails cost $2000 each
The ICCT estimates that trailer tails can improve fuel efficiency by 4-6%. The manufacturer and patent-holder for the technology, STEMCO, claims between 5.09% and 5.82% (at 65 mph) depending on the type of trailer in question. This equates to a saving of 3 cents for every mile driven, or an average of 8 gallons of fuel for every 1,000 miles. A 2013 survey found that the payback time for trailer tails ranged from 12 to 32 months.
Trailer tails can also be used in conjunction with other aerodynamic devices, such as trailer skirts, to further improve fuel efficiency. A 2014 study found that adding both devices reduced aerodynamic drag by 25%, which represents about a 13% decrease in fuel consumption. This is an attractive proposition for fleet owners, who can save more than the initial $1 million layout by improving fuel efficiency.
Trailer tails also increase safety by improving stability and reducing driver fatigue. They can also help companies to meet increasingly stringent fuel efficiency standards. For example, California has introduced new rules mandating greater fuel efficiency from 53-foot trailers.
Fuel Tanker Trucks: Understanding the Cost Factors
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trailer tails can pay for themselves in under 2 years
Trailer tails are add-ons that improve the aerodynamics of tractor-trailers, reducing the drag from the low-pressure area created behind the trailer. This results in significant fuel savings for the trucking industry.
The poor aerodynamics of trailers leads to high fuel consumption. When an 18-wheeler travels on the highway, more than 50% of its fuel use goes toward reducing aerodynamic drag. Trailer tails can help to address this issue by streamlining the airflow behind the trailer, thereby reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, trailer tail extensions can save fuel by 1 to 4 percent, with some manufacturers claiming savings of more than 6%. At a fuel cost of $2.60 per gallon of diesel, travelling 120,000 miles a year at 8 miles per gallon, a 5% fuel saving would result in annual savings of $1,950. This means that the cost of a trailer tail, typically around $2,000, can be paid back in under two years through reduced fuel expenses.
In addition to the financial benefits, trailer tails also increase safety by improving stability and reducing driver fatigue due to a smoother drive. Furthermore, the reduced drag leads to lower carbon dioxide emissions, helping to reduce the environmental impact of the trucking industry.
Overall, trailer tails offer a compelling solution for improving the fuel efficiency of tractor-trailers, with the potential to pay for themselves in under two years, while also enhancing safety and reducing environmental harm.
The Cost of Fueling a 787 Dreamliner: An Expensive Affair
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trailer tails are most effective when combined with other aerodynamic devices
Trailer tails are add-ons that can be attached to the rear of trailers to reduce drag from the low-pressure area created behind them. They improve stability and streamline airflow, making for a smoother drive and reducing driver fatigue. Trailer tails can improve fuel efficiency by up to 6%. However, they are most effective when combined with other aerodynamic devices.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program has found that certain trailer tail extensions can achieve fuel savings of 1 to 4%, while skirts typically save 4 to 8%. When combined, some components offer savings of 9% or higher. Similarly, a study by Stemco found that side skirts and boat tails provide the greatest drag reductions among the devices studied. The study determined that using both a rear fairing and a side skirt could save nearly 1,400 gallons (5,300 liters) of fuel per truck per year.
According to industry sources, fleet owners who install gap fairings, side skirts, and boat tails can increase their fuel efficiency by 14% or more. For example, a company that spends $1 million on fuel per year could save over $140,000 annually with these improvements.
Furthermore, a combination of devices that improve truck aerodynamics could reduce the trucking industry's fuel consumption by 12%, equating to more than $10 billion in diesel fuel savings annually. This would also help keep consumer prices down and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, while trailer tails offer significant fuel savings on their own, their impact is maximized when combined with other aerodynamic devices.
The US's Annual Fossil Fuel Bill: A Costly Affair
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Trailer tails are safer and easier to use than trailer tail extensions
Trailer tails are a cost-effective way to improve the fuel economy of semi-trailer trucks. They are also known as boat tails or rear fairings and are usually collapsible, folding out from the rear of the trailer to create a tapered shape that reduces drag from the low-pressure wake. Trailer tails have been shown to save fuel by between 1% and 5%, with some estimates reaching 6%.
Trailer tail extensions, on the other hand, are more expensive and can cost up to $2,000 per tail. They are also potentially hazardous, as they can be dangerous when opened and are susceptible to crosswinds, snow, and damage to loading docks.
ECO-FINS have been proposed as a safer, cheaper, and easier-to-use alternative to trailer tail extensions. They are small, peel-and-stick vortex generators that are fitted to the rear of a trailer or tractor cab. ECO-FINS capture airflow, spin it into tight swirling vortices, and extend it in the same tapered shape as a trailer tail, but at a much lower cost. Installation is quick and easy, taking only one hour of downtime and costing about $200 per trailer or cab. They are always deployed and working to save fuel consumption, with potential fuel savings of up to 4%.
Trailer tails are also safer than trailer tail extensions because they improve stability and reduce driver fatigue. The streamlined airflow makes for a smoother drive, and they also help to reduce spray at the rear of trailers in wet weather, encouraging safer driving distances between trailers and passenger vehicles.
Fuel Pump Replacement: Cost and When to Change It
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Trailer tails are add-ons that reduce drag from the low-pressure area created behind the trailer. They can improve a tractor's fuel economy by about 6%.
Other aerodynamic modifications such as side skirts, boat tails, and gap fairings can also be used to save fuel. These can be used in combination with trailer tails to increase fuel efficiency by upwards of 25%.
Trailer tails cost around \$2000 each.
