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04-03-2012, 09:17 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
castle rock
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 30
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Roof attachment increases MPG
The quote below indicates great increase in MPG. Has anyone used such with an AS? What were the results? This fella used it with a rectangular shaped trailer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TRfour
I had great increase in fuel mileage with an roof mounted air deflector when we pulled a 28 footer up to Nova Scotia and back, sometimes twice a summer for vacation. It paid for itself in fuel savings on one round trip, ball park, 1800 miles!
Side note; Here in Texas, the April bugs are out! They call them June bugs up north! ... Well, don't ya know that this deflector also keeps them critters and others from embedding themselves all over the front of your trailer! Much less elbow grease, used to clean!
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Attached Images
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04-03-2012, 09:20 AM
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#2
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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Hello Billy1,
I like that wing. What brand is it?
Thanks Vinnie
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04-03-2012, 09:37 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
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Many years ago I built one and could tell no significant difference with my 29 foot Airstream. Of course I also had a cab high cap on the truck.
Keep in mind this guy is pulling a fifth wheel, Not only big and square but A lot of resistance when the air flows around the truck cab and goes below the bedroom area that is over the truck and hits all of the lower front.
I have delivered fifth wheel in Texas in june bug season and when you go to the car wash brown water runs off the trailer as you dissolve them.
Any device like this is going to have to make a significant improvement in fuel mileage to pay back the original cost
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
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04-03-2012, 09:41 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
castle rock
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 30
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I do not know anything about it including the brand. I only know what I quoted...it is not mine.
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04-03-2012, 09:51 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
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I think my cap in the back and the height of my truck would make such an attempt at aerodynamics not worth the time, in fact - such a wing if you don't know what your doing can actually mess up air flow and provide worse mileage!
Air flow dynamics is very, very complicated...
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
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04-03-2012, 10:06 AM
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#6
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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It was suggested that in my situation I get a nose cone for the box but wouldn't be opposed to a wing.
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04-03-2012, 10:10 AM
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#7
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFScheck
Air flow dynamics is very, very complicated...
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I think the deflector would just complicate air flow because of the space under it and the distance to the trailer. The long distance between it and the trailer would cause all sorts of turbulence, maybe more than a pick up without it. I have seen a few of these on the road, but never had a chance to ask anyone with it what changes they saw in gas mileage.
It is said a tonneau (which we have) or a well fitted cap on the pick up should improve air flow and mileage, but the space between the back of the truck and the front of the trailer probably causes all sorts of drag that is nearly impossible to eliminate. Maybe a deflector could be mounted at the back of the pick up, but it would have to be as high as the trailer. It would be heavy, obstruct rear view and be difficult to attach. The ugliness of it would probably attract few buyers.
If the trailer were mounted on a fifth wheel like on over the road, large truck, a deflector would direct air over the top of the trailer. That makes sense, but in that case the trailer is very close to the back of the truck cab.
Gene
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04-03-2012, 10:22 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
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OMHO, but the "nose" of an AS is its own deflector. Sal.
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
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04-03-2012, 09:46 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1987 25' Sovereign
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 582
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We had one. It might work with a square SOB or 5th wheel, but the only difference I saw towing about 7,000 miles with the Airstream was that it lightened my wallet by about $350. I sold it.
__________________
Alumacoot
“We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.”
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04-04-2012, 11:27 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
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Sweet!
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
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04-05-2012, 05:10 AM
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#11
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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My roof deflector...yes it does help mpg and keeps the bug's off.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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04-05-2012, 05:15 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan and Liz
We had one. It might work with a square SOB or 5th wheel, but the only difference I saw towing about 7,000 miles with the Airstream was that it lightened my wallet by about $350. I sold it.
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I'm not surprised, but I'm glad to hear this. I thought that was part of the reason Airstreams were better to tow - the round shape helped wind flow more smoothly over them.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
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04-05-2012, 08:04 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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It has been my expereince the worst wind is what I call a quartering head wind, coming from either 10 o'clock, or 2 o'clock off direct head wind, and I think that is because the wind can actually get between the tow vehicle and trailer and cause a good amount of drag. A direct head wind is not near as bad, in my experence.
The above deflector would do absolutely nothing to improve conditions in a quartering wind, IMHO.
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04-05-2012, 08:11 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,991
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
My roof deflector...yes it does help mpg and keeps the bug's off.
Bob
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Bob, do you drive with the tailgate open too!
Chris
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04-05-2012, 08:12 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
1955 22' Flying Cloud
mapleton
, Utah
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 464
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Bob, I have that exact same deflector-10 ft, built in 1947.
might try to polish it this year to match
tim
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04-05-2012, 08:17 AM
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#16
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
Bob, do you drive with the tailgate open too!
Chris
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Only when "Fado's" in his crate INSIDE the Burb and not on the roof.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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04-05-2012, 08:29 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
1955 22' Flying Cloud
mapleton
, Utah
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 464
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Bob, I have the same style deflector, 10 ft made in 1945. thinking of polishing her to match
tim
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04-05-2012, 08:32 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
Bob, do you drive with the tailgate open too!
Chris
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It would keep the airflow over the top intact and reduce turbulence between the TV and 'Stream.
Looks like a great deflector to me, Bob. Gonna polish it?
__________________
Vaughan
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04-05-2012, 09:37 AM
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#19
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vswingfield
It would keep the airflow over the top intact and reduce turbulence between the TV and 'Stream.
Looks like a great deflector to me, Bob. Gonna polish it?
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Naw...it might outshine the Stream.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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04-05-2012, 11:29 AM
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#20
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
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With the tailgate up, the vacuum behind the Suburban will increase and no hitch is necessary. That gets rid of all that extra weight. The trailer will "draft" behind the tow vehicle.
The exhaust gasses will be sucked into the Suburban and calm Fado and other occupants, ensuring a quiet and peaceful vacation.
Gene
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