FlowBelow Aero, Inc., has introduced its new AeroFender, a device that is equipped to truck wheels and reduces drag on day- and sleeper-cabs. FlowBelow tells us that the AeroFender improves fuel efficiency by re-directing the airflow ahead of and around a power unit’s leading drive axle. 

At a controlled track test completed in November 2023 by Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions, FlowBelow says its technology was proven to save 1.49 gallons of fuel for every 1,000 miles driven, or 1.44% overall. The company says that fleets can expect a truck equipped with an AeroFender and traveling 125,000 miles per year to save an estimated 187 gallons of fuel and approximately 4,207.5 lbs. of CO₂.

At 22.5 pounds of CO₂ per gallon of diesel fuel, a fleet of 1,000 could reduce its CO₂ emissions by as much as 4,207,500 pounds, or 2,103.75 tons, according to FlowBelow. In addition to the associated fuel savings and environmental upsides, FlowBelow calculates that the ROI on its AeroFender will come in at under one year from the date of its installation.

In 2021, distributor McLane Company, Inc. adopted the AeroFender ahead of its release, adding it to the FlowBelow’s Tractor AeroKit and trailer wheel covers already equipped on its trucks.

“After extensive durability testing and ROI cost analysis, we began putting FlowBelow AeroFenders on our fleets in 2021,” said Daniel James, director of transport and tech at McLane. “The technology has proven itself over many years and millions of miles. We continue to spec it on all new vehicles to help us save fuel and reduce the environmental impact of our fleet.”

“We have over 1,200 units in the field, and we’re excited to begin offering it to a broader spectrum of fleet customers,” said Josh Butler, FlowBelow president and chief technology officer. “We believe it will offer great appeal to LTL and day cab fleets, which is a sector of the market that has not traditionally been as likely to utilize our flagship Tractor AeroKit. The AeroFender is extremely durable, easy to install, and a smart upgrade to a component that these fleets are already buying.”

The company says the AeroFender is now available at OEM mod centers for installation on new trucks, or directly from FlowBelow or through the OEM dealer network for retrofit applications.