Areodynamics company FlowBelow Aero Inc. has announced that, in addition to offering its fuel-saving Tractor AeroKit to dry van and refrigerated fleets, it has developed a new modified AeroKit for use in flatbed and tanker fleet operations. On-road fleet usage of the new AeroKit system has shown average fuel savings of up to 3 percent on tanker and flatbed tractors, versus 2.23 percent fuel savings on dry van and refrigerated van trailers, according to the company.
The FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit includes quick-release wheel covers and a pair of tandem fairings installed on the tractor that work together as a complete aerodynamic system to address the complex airflow around the exposed rear wheels of the tractor. The patented AeroKit system reduces aerodynamic drag and improves fuel efficiency of the tractor, typically providing a return on investment for long haul trucking fleets in one year or less.
Increased fuel efficiency of the AeroKit in tanker and flatbed applications can be attributed to the reduced aerodynamic performance of these specialty trailers as compared with standard dry van and refrigerated trailers, making the aerodynamic improvement from the Tractor AeroKit even greater, the company said.
Specific aerodynamic deficiencies of tanker and flatbed trailers include a larger tractor to trailer gap for a tanker trailer than a van trailer, a less aerodynamic underbody on a flatbed trailer and significantly less opportunity for connecting and streamlining the airflow from the tractor to the trailer and then along the trailer’s body for both tanker and flatbed applications. Finally, limited options are available to tanker and flatbed fleets for optimizing trailer aerodynamics as equipment such as boat tails and side skirts are generally not compatible with these trailer types due to the trailer’s configuration, underbody design and equipment and the types of loads hauled. Fleets gain additional financial benefit from the Tractor AeroKit because it is mounted to the tractor versus the trailer and therefore fuel savings are not diminished by the fleet’s ratio of tractors to trailers or drop and hook operations.
