Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/42794
The California Air Resources Board compliance date for 2011 dry van and reefer trailers was Jan. 1, 2010. "I still had another year on my old trailer (2005), but the CARB regulation was the other reason to update the reefer," Larson says. For owner-operators who work in California, the purchase of aerodynamic enhancements such as side skirts, trailer tails and front-end deflectors is a regulatory requirement. Beyond the 2013 date for dry vans, a series of compliance dates looms for reefer owners. Compliance is driving many owners to retrofit their trailers. "What's going to happen Jan. 1, 2013, when trailers can't come into the state without skirts and low rolling resistance tires?" asks owner-operator Rob Fleig, who had a Nose Cone device installed on the front of his trailer. "It could be a line of trucks at the California state line stretching back to Oklahoma." "The California regulations originally drove a lot more attention to be paid to trailer aerodynamics," says Andrew Smith, president of manufacturer ATDynamics, "but now the majority of our trucking company customers are all adopting the equipment well ahead of the California regulations." Big fleets have become major customers, says Brandon Pugh of Thermo King Northwest, which sells the Strehl Trailer Blade side skirt. "But when you get to the fleets of 25 to 30 trailers and down, there's generally not as much knowledge about what the regs are." Freight Wing President Sean Graham says the appearance of more aerodynamic devices on trailers is persuading small fleets and owner-operators to inquire about them. Fuel savings Dealing with high fuel costs is the prime reason for owner- operators buying the Nose Cone, says Kathy Rose, Nose Cone vice president of sales and marketing. The device attaches to the front of the trailer and above the cab roof in mid-roof sleeper tractors. "I don't see the California regulations driving as much of that," she says. "Fuel costs are driving it." Smith says that even operators who don't own trailers are influencing the decision to add fuel-saving equipment. "We've seen that owner-operators will choose to pick up a load in an aerodynamic trailer as opposed to one that isn't," he says. That's the case with Jay Olmstead, who's leased to LaValle Transportation of Potsdam, N.Y. The only trailer among the half-dozen in the LaValle fleet he will pull is one outfitted with an ATDynamics' TrailerTail and side skirt. "I told Randy [LaValle, company owner] I'm holding Rob Fleig returned his investment in a trailer Nose Cone at 35,000 miles, estimates the Nose Cone maker. 44 OVERDRIVE OCTOBER 2011 Lavel Larson estimates he's improved his fuel economy by at least 0.5 mpg by using side skirts to reduce wind drag beneath the trailer. California regs for small fleets California Air Resources Board regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from trailers are divided by fleet size: those with 20 or fewer trailers and those with more than 20. Both groups can register with the state a schedule for bringing a percentage of their 2010 and older trailers into compliance each year. The regs apply to all 53-foot or longer van and reefer trailers that operate in the state no matter where they are registered. On-highway tractors are also covered under the regulations for low rolling resistance tires. All 2010 and older van trailers must be SmartWay- certified or retrofitted with aerodynamic technologies that produce at least a 4 percent fuel savings. Compliance is required by Jan. 1, 2013. In addition, those trailers must be outfitted with low rolling resistance tires by Jan. 1, 2017. For 2011 dry vans and reefers, the compliance date was Jan. 1, 2010. Compliance dates vary for older reefers. For 2007-2009 reefers: Jan. 1, 2020; for 2005-2006: Jan. 1, 2019; and for 2003-2004: Jan. 1, 2018. Owners of small fleets have the option of applying for a phase-in schedule for their 2010 and older trailers, which can range from 2014 to 2017. Owners must submit a compliance plan by July 1, 2012. All 2010 and older sleeper and day cab tractors are required to have low rolling resistance tires by Jan. 1, 2013. For more information, go to arb.ca.gov and search for "trailer," or call the diesel hotline at (866) 634-3735. California jump start Max Kvidera Freight Wing